expressions and phrases to make a conversation

8/14/2019 Expressions and Phrases to Make a Conversation

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EXPRESSIONS AND PHRASES TO MAKE A CONVERSATION

Asking for suggestions

What shall we get him?

buy him?

give her?

Making suggestions

Lets get him a book.

buy him a DVD.

give her a CD.

What about a DVD?

Responding to suggestions

Thats a good idea.

X Im not sure.

X No, I dont think so.

SHOWING INTEREST

Im happy for you Im sorry for you Im surprised Im not surprised

Oh, great!

Oh, nice.

Oh, dear.

What a shame.

Wow!

Youre joking!

Really?

Oh, right.

CONTINUING A CONVERSATION

Questions you can ask someone who

went to the cinema stayed at home all weekend was ill went away for the weekend

What did you see?

What was it like?

Who did you go with?

What did you do? What was wrong?

Are you OK now?

What was it like?

Where did you go?

Who did you go with?

Where did you stay?

PLANNING A DAY OUT

Asking people what they want to do Saying what you want to do

What do you wantto do (tomorrow)?Where would you liketo go?

Do you wantto (go to Regents Park)?

Id liketo (go to the beach).I wantto (go to Chessington).

Id rather(stay at home).


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TALKING ON THE PHONE

Asking to speak to people Saying who you are

Hello, can I speak to (Lisa), please?

Hello, is that (Chris Morris)?

This is (Lisa Smith), from (3 DUK).

Its (Katrina).

Speaking.

Calling people back Other useful phrases

Can I call you back?

Ill call you later.

Can you call me back?

I got your message.

Call me on my mobile.

Hold on a moment, Ill get him/her.

TALKING ABOUT NEWS

To start a conversation about the news, we can say:

Did you hear about the plane crash? Did you read about the couple on Everest?

No, where was it? No, what happened?

Good news Bad news Surprising news

Oh, thats good. Yes, isnt it awful?

Oh, dear. Are they OK?Oh, no thats terrible.

Really?

Youre joking!

Tip: News is a singular noun. The news is terrible.

TALKING ABOUT HEALTH

Asking about someones health Expressing sympathy Giving advice

How are you?

Are you OK?

Whats wrong?Whats the matter?

Oh, dear.

Thats a shame.

I hope you get better

soon.

Why dont you (go home)?You should (take the day off).

Drink lots of water.

SAYING GOODBYE

Have a Nice holiday!

Nice weekend!

Good trip!

You too.

Thanks, I will.

See you In two weeks.

Next year.

On the next course.

Yes, see you.

Send me/us An email.

A postcard

Yes, of course.


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FINDING THINGS IN COMMON

AGREE DISAGREE

Im a bit nervous So am i. Oh, Im not.

I cant speak TurkishNeither can I

Oh, I can.

Ive got a dog So I have Oh, I havent.

I dont go out much Neither do I Oh, I do.

I had a great time So did I Oh, I didnt.

STARTING A CONVERSATION

People you know Meeting someone in the past

How do you know David and Jane?

Do you know Pam Jones?

Are you a friend of Davids?

Didnt we meet in Milan last year?Where did you meet David?

Where people live Peoples jobs or studies

Do you live near here? Youre a student at the English

Centre, arent you?What do you do?

ENDING CONVERSATIONS

It was nice to see you agai

I hope we meet again soon

It was nice meeting you.

See you at school, probabl

Lets keep in touch.

See you later, maybe.

APOLOGIES, REASONS AND PROMISES

For apologies we often: Im (really) sorry, (but) I cant/couldnt +

infinitive.

Im really sorry, but I cant see you tonight.

Im sorry, I couldnt finish it yesterday.

Forreasonswe often use: I have to/had to + infinitive.I have to take a client out to dinner.

I had to help Kate.

Forpromiseswe often use: Ill + infinitive.

Ill do it now.

Ill see you on Friday, I promise.

To respond to an apology we often use these phrases:

Oh, dont worry. Another time, maybe

Oh, dear. What happened?

Oh, right. Why not?


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Agreeing, disagreeing and asking for opinions

Agreeing Disagreeing Asking for opinions

Yes, maybe youre right.

Yes, definitely.

I agree (with Jackie).Yes, I think so.

Im sorry, I dont agree.

Im not sure about that.

No, definitely not.No, I dont think so.

What do you think?

What about you?

Do you think.?Do you agree (with that)?

OFFERS, SUGGESTIONS AND REQUESTS.

Making offers Responding to offers

Shall Imake some posters?

Can Igive a hand?

Illhelp you, if you like.

Yes, thatd be great.Great, thanks a lot.

Yes, why not?

No, dont worry. Thanks anyway.

Making requests Making suggestions

Will youorganize that?

Could yougive me a hand?

Can youdo that?

Shall westart?

Letsdecide who does what.

Why dont weask Steve?

Leaving phone message

Asking to speak to someone

Can I speak to (Peter Parker), please?

Is (Peter) there, please?

Could I speak to (Jim Moore), please?

Leaving a message

Could you ask him/her to phone me tomorrow?

Could you ask him/her to phone me back?

Just tell him (Peter parker) called.

Saying where people can contact you

He / She can ring me at the office.

He / She can get me on my mobile.

He / She can call me at home this evening.


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COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS

Complaints Requests

Im sorry, butIve got a bit of a problem.

Im afraidIve got a complaint.

Im sorry, but I think theres something

wrong with the TV.

I wonder if you could check for me?

I wonder if I could have some more towels,

please?

Could I speak to the manager, please?Could you help me?

Would you mind sending someone to look at it?

INVITATIONS AND MAKING ARRANGEMENTS

Asking about peoples arrangements Inviting someone to do something

Are you doing anything next Friday?

Are you free on Tuesday?

What are you doing on Monday?

Would you like to come?

Why dont we meet for a drink?

Saying yes or no Arranging a time and placeYes, Id love to.

Id love, but I cant.

Yes, thatd be great.

Where/What time shall we meet?

How about six thirty?

IN A SHOP

What a shop assistant say

Can I help you?

What size do you want?

What size is that one?

Ill have a lookyes, heres a medium.

The fitting rooms over there.

Does it fit?

Here you are. Thats $ 19 altogether.

How would you like to pay?

Check the amount and sign here, please.

Heres change and your receipt.

What customers say

Im just looking, thanks.

Excuse me.

Have you got this T-shirt in a smaller size? Can I try it on, please?

OK, Ill take it.

Could I have this map, please?

Do ou sell batteries?


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LIKES AND DISLIKES

Phrases to say you like something Phrases to say you dont like something

I really love.

Im really/very/quite interested in

I enjoyIm really/very/quite/keen on..

I think is/are great/brilliant/wonderful

I really hateI dont like at all

I cant stand.really get(s) on my nerves.

I cant bear.

Im not very keen on

..drive(s) me crazy.

I thinkis/are really boring/annoying.

Phrases to say something is OK

I thinkis/are all right.

I dont mind.

SHOWING CONCERN, GIVING AND RESPONDING TO ADVICE

Showing concern

Oh, dear. Whats the matter? I can see why youre upset. Oh, how awful!

Giving advice

Have you tried talking to him about it?

Well, maybe you should talk to him again.

Why dont you talk to her about it?

Id take her out for a really nice meal. Maybe you ought to spend more time together.

Responding to advice

Well, its worth a try, I guess. I tried that, but

Yes, thats a good idea.

I might try that.

Yes, you could be right.


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Asking for and making recommendations

Asking for recommendations

Do you know any good places to stay?

Whats the best way to (get around?

Is there anything else worth visiting?

What about (places outside Delhi)?

Have you got any other tips?

Recommending thingsIts probably best to (use rickshaws)

Id recommend (the trains).

You should definitely see (The Red Fort).

Thats well worth seeing.

You really must go to (Agra).

Not recommending things

Dont bother going to (the museums).

It isnt really worth visiting.Dont drink the water.

I wouldnt eat anything thats sold in the street.

Responding to recommendations

Thats good to know.

That sounds good.

Thanks, thats really useful.

Yes, Ive heard that before.

Softening opinions and making generalisations

We often use these phrases in bold to soften our opinions:

Some of them can be quite rude at times

They tend to get rather loud.

Thats not very normal behavior. Generally speaking, most people who go to matches are just loyal fans.

You get a few who can be a bit too enthusiastic.

On the whole, most fans just want to see a good game.


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Explaining what you need.

Saying you dont know the name of something.

Im sorry; Ive forgotten what is called.

Im sorry, I dont know the word for it.

I cant remember what theyre called.

I dont know what its called in English.

Describing what something is used forIts a thing for (opening bottles of wine).

Its stuff for (getting marks off your clothes).

You use them to (put posters up on the wall).

Im looking for (something for mu mobile).

You use it when (the batteries are dead).

Describing what something looks like

Its a type of (liquid).

Theyre made of (metal).Theyve got (a round top).

It looks like (a black box).

Checking something is the right thing

Do you mean one of these?

Oh, you mean (stain remove).

Is this what youre looking?

Discussion language

Inviting people to speak Asking to speak

(Paul), you had something you wanted to

say?

Whats your opinion?What do think?

Sorry, do you mind if I interrupt?

Can I just say something here?

Can I make a point here?

Ways of agreeing Allowing someone to interrupt

That may be true, but what about?

Yes, absolutely.

Yes, Id agree with that.

Sure, go ahead.

Yes, of course.

Ways of disagreeing Not allowing someone to interrupt

Thats not true, actually.

Well, Im not sure about that.

Im not sure I agree, actually.

Can I just finish what I was saying?

If I could just finish making this point.


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Warnings and advice

We give warnings when we think something might be

dangerous.

Asking for advice

Could you give us some advice?

What should we do if we see one?

What do you think we should take with us?Do you think it a good idea to take some

warm clothes?

Giving advice

If I were you, Id take plenty of warm clothes.

Its a good idea to take a spare map in case

you lose one.

Dont forget to tell them when you expect to

back.

Make sure you take plenty of water.

Youd better come up immediately.

Giving warningsWatch out for bears.

Be careful when youre crossing the rivers.

Whatever you do, dont lose your partner.

Dont come up too quickly, or less you could

be in trouble.

Responding to advice/warnings.

Yes, we will.

Thats a good idea. I hadnt thought of that.

Thats really useful, thanks.

Right, thanks. Thats very helpful.

At the doctors

Im not feeling very well.

I havent been feeling very well recently.

Ive got a terrible stomach ache.

My chest hurts.

I keep getting really bad headaches.

I cant stop sneezing. Do I need some antibiotics?

Im allergic to penicillin.

How often should I take them?

Do I need to make another appointment?


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Asking for, giving and refusing permission

Asking for permission

Do you think Icould (send a few emails)?

Is it OK if I (borrow a couple of books)?

May I(download some photos onto your

computer)?Would you mind if I(gave my girlfriend a call)?

Can I(make myself a sandwich)?

Do you mind if I(do some washing)?

Giving permission

A: Can I make myself a sandwich?

B: Yes, of course.

A: Do you mind if I make myself a sandwich?

B: No, not at all.

Refusing permission

No

Sorry, I dont think we have the software forthat.

Sorry.

Actually.

Checking information

Asking someone to repeat information

Sorry, what did you say (your name) was again?

Sorry, I didnt get all of that.

Could you say it again, please?

And could you tell me (his surname) again?

Sorry, I didnt quite catch that.

Can you give it to me again, please?

Checking that the information you have is correct

Is that (Kramer) with a (K)?

Do you mean (this Wednesday)?

Is that spelt (G-R-O-N-E-R)?

Are you talking about (the London party)?


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expressions and phrases to make a conversation

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