EnPond Talks Flashcards
Agreeing / Disagreeing
Simple agreement
I agree. I really agree with you. I think you are right. I couldn’t agree with you more. You said it. Can’t say I don’t agree. I’m with you on this. I partly agree. I agree on this but not that. It’s partly true.
Agreeing / Disagreeing
Accepting / Declining / Expressing acceptance
I accept your point. Please accept this on our behalf. Sorry, I can’t accept this. I’m 100% with you on this! Great idea. I’ll take it. Sorry, I can’t take it. Accept my apology.
Agreeing / Disagreeing
Simple disagreement or refusal
I disagree with you. Everyone has their own opinion, right? I think you’re wrong on this. I’m sorry but I have to refuse your request. You’re wrong. No way! You’ve got to be kidding! How can you even say that? Where is your logic?
Agreeing / Disagreeing
Strong disagreement
I completely disagree with you. You are very wrong to say that. I totally disagree with you. I can’t find myself to agree with you. You’re dead wrong. You’re way wrong.
Apologizing and Explaining oneself
Apologies
I’m sorry... I’m very sorry... I’m terribly sorry... Excuse me... Pardon me... I apologize... I’m afraid...
Apologizing and Explaining oneself Explaining Oneself , Accepting Responsibility
...I wasn’t very well yesterday ...I didn’t see you ...It won’t happen again ...I’ll be more careful next time ...I’ll finish it before I go home ...It’s my fault ...It’s all my fault
Asking people to be quiet:
> Less polite: Shut up! [impolite] Quiet! / kwaöWt / Be quiet! Shh! > More polite: Could you be quiet, please?
Conversation openers:
Excuse me, is anyone sitting here? Sorry, have you got the time, please? I think we’ve met before, haven’t we? It’s really hot, isn’t it? Are you going all the way to San Francisco?
Permission and requests:
Could I use your pen?
Do you mind if I borrow your dictionary?
(‘Do you mind if I…?’ means ‘Is it a problem for you if I…?’)
Getting somebody’s attention:
Excuse me, have you got a moment?
Sorry to bother you, but could I just ask you something?
Excuse me, can you spare a minute or two?
Excuse me, are you in a hurry?
Sure.Go ahead.
It depends what it is.
Sorry, I’m late already.
Getting to know you!
Talking about your background
Originally I’m from.... I was (born and) brought up in... I come from a (sporty/musical) family. My proudest moment was...-ing I’ve always dreamt of –ing/ wanted to +verb
Getting to know you!
Describing your language ability
I’m not fluent enough in English. I speak English reasonably well. I can get by in English. I speak French but it is a bit rusty. I know a few words of Italian. I wish I could speak English fluently.
Getting to know you!
Showing a lot of interest
Wow!
Really?
(That’s) interesting!
(That’s) fantastic!
Expressing Goodbyes and Farewells in English
> Simple good-byes (Formal) Good-bye Stay in touch. It was nice meeting you. I hope to see you soon. > Simple good-byes (Informal) Bye. See you. Talk to you later. Catch up with you later. Nice seeing you.
Expressing Goodbyes and Farewells in English
> Leaving a place (Formal)
I have to leave here by noon.
Is it okay if we leave your home at 9pm?
What do you say we leave work a little earlier today?
Would you mind if I leave the dinner before it ends?
I need to depart for the airport in one hour.
Leaving a place (Informal)
I got to go now.
I’ll be leaving from the office in 20 minutes. How about we jet off to the shops now? I’m afraid I have to head off now.
Let’s get off work early.
English Greeting Expressions
General greetings
(Formal and Informal)
> Formal: Hello! How are you? How are you doing? How is everything? How’s everything going? How have you been keeping? I trust that everything is well. > Informal: Hi. What’s up? Good to see you. How are things (with you)? How’s it going? How’s life been treating you?
English Greeting Expressions
Greeting a person you haven’t seen for a long time (Formal):
;> Formal: It has been a long time. It’s been too long. What have you been up to all these years? It’s always a pleasure to see you. How long has it been? I’m so happy to see you again.
English Greeting Expressions
Greeting a person you haven’t seen for a long time (Informal):
> Informal: How come I never see you? It’s been such a long time. Long time no see. Where have you been hiding? It’s been ages since we last met.
English Interrupting Expressions
Actually... Excuse me... I’m sorry, but... I just want to say... May I interrupt here? Do you mind if I say something?
Paraphrasing Expressions
So you mean.... What you mean is... What you’re saying is... So what you mean to say is... Let me get this clear... Let me get this straight,...
Requesting Permission Expressions
...Could I use your phone? ...Might I possibly use your phone? ...Sorry to trouble you, but do you mind if I use your phone? ...Would you mind if I used your phone? ...May I use your phone? ...Can I use your phone? ...I wonder if I could use your phone.
Telephone Expressions
Phone greetings:
> Identifying the listener Is that Bruno Zola? Could I speak to Bruno Zola, please? > More informal: Is that Bruno? Are you Bruno? Is that you, Bruno? > Saying who you are (Yes,) speaking. > More informal: Yes (it is). > Introducing yourself My name’s Elena Luma. > More informal: It’s Elena. I’m Elena. This is Elena. Here is Elena.
Telephone Expressions
Asking people to speak slowly/speak up
Sorry, could you speak slowly, please? Yes, sure.
Could you speak up, please? Yes, of course.
Telephone Expressions
Ending a phone conversation
> When you phone for information, you can often end with phrases like this: OK, I think that’s everything I need. OK, I think I’ve got all the details Thanks. You’ve been very helpful. Thanks very much for your help. Bye bye. Goodbye.
