Other situations Flashcards
This is very good for practical things like fixing a computer, or giving directions.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS + VERB
This phrase is a lot less practical and a lot more personal. Maybe you would say this when giving advice to friends or family.
IF I WERE YOU I’D + VERB
This phrase has a sense of authority to it. A boss might use it with an employee, or a mother might use it with her child.
YOU’D* BETTER + VERB
*”you’d = you had”
This is quite informal. Use this with your friend who’s moving house, not the old lady with the shopping bags.
Wanna hand with that?
This is a more polite version of “Wanna hand with that.” It’s a direct offer of help and can be used in most situations (formal or informal).
LET ME GIVE YOU A HAND.
If you’re not sure that the situation you’re in is informal enough, this phrase is the safest. Use this with the old lady and her shopping bags.
CAN I HELP AT ALL?
Use this phrase when you’re “brainstorming” ways to solve a problem.
HOW ABOUT + -ING
This phrase is similar to “How about…” but may be better after you’ve already tried several ways to solve the problem.
HAVE YOU TRIED + -ING
This phrase is more direct. Use this one when you’re confident that the person you’re speaking to probably hasn’t thought of this idea.
WHY DON’T YOU/WE + VERB
Using sorry at the beginning helps soften the interruption. Using the phrasal verb “cut in” also sounds lighter than saying “interrupt.”
SORRY TO CUT IN BUT + SENTENCE
This is a good example of being indirect. When you say this, you’re asking permission from the person who you’re interrupting.
CAN I JUST STOP YOU THERE FOR A MOMENT?
This is a little less soft, but if you feel more comfortable with the person, this can be an honest and more direct way to interrupt by saying their name.
SORRY DESMOND, BUT…
Saying “I’m not with you” feels more polite than “I disagree.” It’s more objective and less personal.
SORRY, I’M NOT WITH YOU ON THAT.
“I’m afraid” is another way of saying “I’m sorry.” Like “sorry,” it makes the disagreement softer.
I’M AFRAID I DISAGREE.
Use this phrase when you want to tell someone that they haven’t completely understood what you mean. This can be a little direct, so make sure that you’re comfortable with the person who you’re talking to when you use it.
SORRY, BUT I THINK YOU’VE MISSED THE POINT.
We say this when we made a mistake in the past and we now feel bad because of it. We can use the positive form to talk about the opposite (when we DIDN’T do something in the past, and we feel bad because of NOT doing it).
I SHOULDN’T HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
For example:
“I shouldn’t have eaten all those free cakes. I should’ve just eaten the salad.”
This phrase has the same grammar rules as “I wish.” The meaning is very similar, too. The difference? This phrase is stronger. When you say it, you REALLY feel the regret.
IF ONLY I + PAST / PAST PERFECT / COULD
For example:
“If only I hadn’t spent all our money on shoes. Now we can’t pay for the bus home.”
= this phrase means “Immediately”. If someone asks you to do something, you can say this phrase to mean that you will do it now
Rightaway / Straightaway .
say this if something bad has happened another time.
Not again!
say this if you reluctantly agree to someone else’s request. For example, “Can I borrow your car?” – “I suppose so”.
I suppose so
when you think someone’s reply or opinion is justified.
Fair enough
= We say ”I told you so!” when something we already said is confirmed by another person. This phrase is often used more by children / teenagers than adults.
I told you so!
