Basic Social Encounters

Greetings
Simple Greetings
1. Hi!
2. Hello!
3. Hello there!
4. Howdy!
5. Hey!
6. Yo!
General Greetings
1. How are you?
2. Hows it going?
3. Hows it been?
4. How is everything?
5. How have you been?
6. How you been? (Informal)
7. What have you been up to?
8. Whats new? (Informal)
9. Whats up? (Informal)
10. Whats happening? (Slang)
11. Whats going on? (Slang)
Greetings for various times of the day
1. Good morning
2. Morning
3. How are you this bright morning?
4. Good afternoon
5. Afternoon
6. Good evening
7. Evening
Greeting a person you have not seen in a long time
1. I have not seen you in years!
2. Long time no see (informal)
3. I have not seen you in an age!
4. I havnt seen you in a month of Sundays!
Expressing surprise at meeting someone
1. What a surprise to meet you here!
2. Imagine meeting you here! (clich)
3. Fancy meeting you here (clich)
4. Never thought I would see you here!
5. What are you doing in this neck of the woods? (neck of woods = part of town, location)
6. Where have you been hiding yourself?
7. What have you been upto?
8. Shouldnt you be at work / in school?
9. Have you been keeping busy?
10. You been keeping busy?
11. Been keeping busy?
After you have greeted someone
1. We seem to keep running into each other
2. Havent we met before?
3. We have to stop meeting like this (clich)
4. Didnt we meet at the party last week?
5. I am sorry. I have forgotten you name
6. I have been meaning to call you

SMALL TALK
Expressing your state of health and happiness
1. Fine
2. Im fine
3. Im cool (slang)
4. Keeping cool
5. Dandy (informal)
6. Fine and dandy
7. Great
8. Couldnt be better
9. Happy as a clam (clich)
10. Okay
11. All right
12. (i) cant complain
13. No complaints
14. I have nothing to complain about

Telling how have you been doing positive
1. Keeping busy
2. Keeping myself busy
3. Been keeping myself busy
4. Keeping out of trouble
5. Been keeping out of trouble
6. Been up to no good (informal)
7. Been keeping my nose clean (informal)
Telling how have you been doing neutral
1. Getting by
2. Been getting by
3. Fair to middling (folksy)
4. So-so (informal)
5. Plugging along (informal)
6. Could be worse
7. Could be better
8. (just) muddling through
9. Same as always
10. Same as usual
Telling how have you been doing Negative
1. Not so good
2. Not good
3. Not too good
4. Not well
5. Not very well
6. Not so well
7. Not too well
8. Not so hot
9. Not too hot
10. None too hot
11. Not great
12. Not so great
13. Crummy (slang)
14. Kind of crummy (slang)
15. Lousy (slang)
16. I have seen better days
17. I have had better days
18. Could be better
19. I have been better
20. I have been under the weather
Explaining that you have been busy
1. I am busy
2. Keeping busy
3. Keeping myself busy
4. Been keeping myself busy
5. Im swamped (swamped = owerwelmed)
6. I dont have time to breathe
7. I dont have time to think
8. There arent enough hours in a day
9. Not a moment to spare
Inviting a friend for a drink or coffee
1. Do you have time for coffee?
2. How about a cup of coffee?
3. Lets go get coffee. Do you have any time?
4. Lets for for coffee
5. Lets go for a better
6. Lets go for a drink

INTRODUCTIONS
Introducing someone to someone else
1. Id like you to meet my friend Mary
2. Id like you to meet Mary
3. This is my friend Mary
4. John, (this is) Mary. Mary, John
5. Mary, do you know John?
6. Do you know each other?
7. Have you met?
8. Have you two been introduced?
9. Havent you been introduced?
10. Oh, Im sorry; how silly of me. This is Mary
11. You too have a lot in common
12. Mary, John is the guy I was telling you about (Informal)
When you have just been introduced to someone
1. Good to meet you
2. Nice to meet you
3. Nice meeting you
4. How nice to meet you (formal)
5. How very nice to meet you (formal)
6. What a pleasure to meet you (formal)
7. Its a pleasure to have finally met you (formal)
8. I am pleased to make your acquaintance (formal)
9. Im happy to meet you
10. Im glad to meet you
11. Glad to meet you
12. Charmed (formal)
13. A pleasure (formal)
After you have been introduced to someone
1. Ive been wanting to meet you for sometime
2. John has told me all about you
3. John has told me so much about you
4. I have heard so much about you
5. I have heard so much about you that I feel I know you already
6. So we finally meet face-to-face
7. Im sorry, what was your name again?
8. I didnt catch your name. I am terrible at names
Asking how someone is
1. How are you?
2. Hows your family?
3. Hows the family?
4. How are you doing?
5. How are you doing today?
6. How you doing?
7. Are you doing OK?
8. How are you feeling?
9. Are you feeling better today?
10. How have you been?
11. How you been?
Asking someone how things are going
1. Howre things?
2. Howre things with you?
3. Howre things going?
4. Hows with you?
5. Hows business?
6. Hows everything?
7. Hows everything going?
8. Hows it going?
9. How goes it?
10. How goes it with you?
11. How are you getting on?
12. How are you getting along?
13. Hows the world (been) treating you?

ENDING A CONVERSATION
Signaling the end of a conversation
1. Oh, look at the time!
2. Its getting later
3. Well, Tom, its really good to see you, but I really must go
4. Its been fun talking to you
5. Its been nice chatting with you
6. Its so good to see you again
7. We have to make plans to get together sometime
8. Lets do lunch sometime
Ending a telephone conversation
1. I really have to go now. We will talk sometime
2. There is someone on the other line, I must say good-bye now
3. The doorbell is ringing. Ill call you back
4. Can I call you back? Something has come up
5. I have to get back to my work. Ill call again later
6. Can we continue this later? My other line is ringing
7. I have to get back to work before the boss sees me
8. I wont keep you any longer
9. Ill let you go now
Ending a conversation abruptly
1. I am going to have to run
2. Im all out of time. Ill have to say good-bye now
3. Look at the time. I really must go
4. Its been great talking to you, but I have to go
5. Wow! Im late. Look, Ill call you
6. Sorry, but I have to leave now
7. Lets continue this another time. I really must go

GOOD-BYES
Simple good-byes
1. Good-bye
2. Bye
3. Bye-bye
4. So long
5. Ta-ta (Informal)
6. Farewell
7. Cheerio
8. Hasta la vista (Spanish)
9. Adios (Spanish)
10. Sayonara (Spanish)
11. Adieu (French)
12. Ciao (Italian)
13. Good day (formal)
14. Good night
15. Good-bye until later
16. Good-bye until next time
17. Good-bye for now
18. See you later
19. Later
20. I will try to catch you later
21. Catch you later
22. I will talk to you soon
23. Lets get together soon
24. Ill be seeing you
25. Ill see you real soon
26. See you
27. See ya (informal)
28. See you soon
29. See you around
30. See you in a little while
31. See you next year
32. See you then
33. See you tomorrow
Taking leave of someone
1. Good running into you
2. Nice running into you
3. Nice talking to you
4. Take care
5. Good to see you
6. Nice to see you
7. Nice meeting you
8. It was a pleasure meeting you
9. Its a pleasure meeting you
10. Its been a real pleasure
Leaving a place
1. Are we ready to leave?
2. Are we about finished?
3. Are you ready to go?
4. Ready to go?
5. Lets head out
6. Lets hit the road
Making plans to keep in touch with someone
1. Ill call you when I get home
2. Call when you get there
3. Dont forget to call
4. Write me
5. Lets write
6. Ill be in touch
7. Lets keep in touch

AGREEING
Simple Agreement
1. Yes
2. Yeah (informal)
3. Yep (informal)
4. Yup (informal)
5. Right
6. You are right
7. Right you are
8. Right on!
9. Sure
10. You got it
11. You bet
12. Absolutely
13. By all means
Stating your concurrence
14. That is true
15. You are right
16. Aint that the truth?
17. thats for certain
18. thats for sure
19. thats for darn sure
20. thats for damn sure (mildly vulgar)
21. dam straight!
22. It works for me
23. Well said
24. I agree
25. I agree with you 100%
26. I couldnt agree with you more
27. I have no problem with that
28. We see eye to eye on this
29. I couldnt have said it better
30. You took the words right out of my mouth
Expressing acceptance
31. Its fine
32. I think its fine
33. Its good enough
34. Its satisfactory
35. Itll do
36. Itll serve the purpose
37. I like it
38. I love it
39. I think its great
40. I like the color / flavor / texture
41. Its got a good rhythm
42. Its wonderful
43. Its a masterpiece
44. Its perfect
45. Its A-1
46. This is second to none
47. This is far and away the best
48. This is the ultimate
49. Never been better
50. It does not get any better than this
51. I have never seen anything like this
52. Thats just what I needed
53. Thats it
54. Its in a league of its own
55. I give it four stars

Stating that you understand
1. I hear you
2. I hear you, man.
3. I hear what you are saying
4. I see what you are saying
5. I can see that
6. I see what you mean
7. I see where youre coming from
8. I know
9. I know what you mean
10. Point well-taken
11. Understood
12. I got you
13. Gotcha
14. I follow you
15. I am with you
16. I am there with you
17. I have been there
18. Read you loud and clear

Making sure you are understood
1. Do you know what I mean?
2. Do you know what I am talking about?
3. Know what I mean?
4. Does that make sense?
5. Am I talking sense?
6. Are you following me?
7. Know what Im saying?
8. You know?
9. Do you see what I mean?
10. Do you get the message?
11. Do you get the picture?
12. Do you understand?
13. Do you agree?
14. You are with me. Right?
15. Are you with me on this?
16. Do we see eye to eye on this?

DISAGREEING
Stating simple disagreement or refusal
1. No
2. Nope
3. No way
4. Not a chance
5. Uh-uh
6. I dont think so
Stating categorical disagreement
1. Thats not true
2. Thats not right
3. You have got that wrong
4. Wrong
5. You missed the boat
6. Wrong on both counts
7. You are wrong
8. You are dead wrong
9. You are off
10. You are way off base
Stating strong disagreement
1. I disagree completely
2. I couldnt disagree more
3. Horsefeathers!
4. Bullshit (taboo)
5. Thats a load of crap (mildly vulgar)
6. Thats a lot of bull (mildly vulgar)
7. Lies
8. That is a lie
9. You are lying through your teeth
10. Look me in the eye and say that
Stating your disagreement with a proposition
1. Thats out of question
2. Thats unthinkable
3. Thats insane
4. That doesnt even merit a response
5. I will give that all consideration its due
Expressing rejection
1. I cant stand it
2. I hate it
3. I dont care for it
4. I dont like it
5. Its not my stle
6. Its not for me
7. It stinks (informal)
8. It sucks (mildly vulgar)
9. It reeks (informal)
10. My kid could do that
11. Its awful
12. Its terrible
13. Its ugly
14. Its hideous
15. Its dreadful
16. Its hell on earth (informal)
17. I dont get it
18. Dont quit your day job
Expressing refusal
1. No
2. Nope
3. No, sir
4. Sorry
5. Nothing doing
6. You are out of luck
7. Not a chance
8. No chance
9. Not if I can help it
10. Not likely
11. Not bloody likely (mildly vulgar)
12. Absolutely not!
13. Dream on
14. Save your breath
15. Save it
16. You are barking up the wrong tree
17. Over my dead body
18. Forget it
19. Not in a million years
20. Not for a million dollars
21. You couldnt pay me to do it
22. Not in your wildest dreams
23. You wish
24. Youre SOL (Informal) SOL = Shit out of luck
Stating that someone is wrong
1. What are you talking about?
2. You dont know what you are talking about
3. You dont have a leg to stand on
4. You dont know the first thing about it
5. You are really stretching the truth
6. You are way off base
7. You can lay that notion to rest
Arguing about the facts
1. You have got it all wrong
2. You have got the facts wrong
3. I dont think you have got your facts straight
4. Dont jump to conclusions

CONVERSATIONAL ENCOUNTERS
Focusing Attention
Getting someones attention
1. Pardon me (informal)
2. Excuse me
3. Hey! (informal)
Getting someone to listen to you
1. Look here (informal)
2. Listen up (informal)
3. Listen here (informal)
4. Now hear this! (informal)
5. Hear me out
6. Are you listening to me?
7. Are you paying attention?
8. I am talking to you
9. Do I have your ear?
10. Can I bend your ear a minute?
11. Am I making myself heard?
Directing attention to an object
1. Look at this
2. Take a look at this
3. Feast your eyes on this
4. Look what we have here
5. Can you eyeball this? (eyeball=to look at)
6. Can you believe my eyes
7. I dont believe my eyes
8. Do my eyes deceive me?
9. Thats a sight for sore eyes
Confirming that you are paying attention
1. I hear you
2. I heard you
3. Im listening
4. Im still here
5. Im all ears

LAUNCHING THE CONVERSATION
Starting an informal conversation
1. Guess what?
2. Have you heard the latest?
3. Did you hear what happened?
4. You will never guess what I heard
5. Guess what I just found out
6. You wont believe this
Inviting someone to talk
1. You got a minute?
2. Got a minute?
3. I need to talk
4. Can we talk?
5. Can I talk to you?
6. May I have a word with you? (formal)
7. Lets talk
8. Lets chew the fat (slang)
Coming to the point of the matter
1. May I be frank?
2. Let me be perfectly clear
3. Read my lips
4. Long story short (clich)
5. Let me spell it out for you
6. Heres the bottom line
Requesting that the speaker get to the point
1. Whats your point?
2. Whats the point?
3. Whats the bottom line?
4. What are you trying to say?
5. What are you trying to tell me?
6. Get to the point
7. Get to the heart of the matter
Various conversation phrases
1. If I may = if I may interrupt / if I may add some information
2. Pardon my French = pardon my use of vulgar words
3. If you know what I mean = I assume you understand what I mean
Encouraging someone to speak plainly
1. Enough already (informal)
2. Give it to me in plain english
3. Dont beat around the bush
4. Stop beating around the bush
5. Stop circucmventing the issue
6. Stop speaking in circles
7. What does that mean in English?
Noting digressions in a conversation
1. Thats beside the point
2. Thats beside the question
3. Thats not the issue
4. Thats irrelevant
5. That has nothing to do with what I am talking about
6. Thats another story
7. Thats a different ball of wax
8. Thats a horse of different color
9. Thats a different kettle of fish
10. You are getting off the subject
11. As you were saying.
12. Getting back to the point
13. But I digress (formal)
Repeating what you have said
1. Let me repeat myself
2. Allow me to repeat myself (formal)
3. As I have said
4. To reiterate
5. To repeat
Answers to How did you find out?
1. I heard it through the grapevine (grapevine=chain of rumors)
2. A little bird told me (clich)
3. I have my sources
4. Its common knowledge
5. Word travels fast (clich)
6. News travels fast (clich)
7. None of your business (informal)
8. Just never mind
9. We have our ways

MAKING FRIENDS
Expressing Friendship
1. We are very close
2. We are the closest of friends
3. We are the best of friends
4. We are pretty tight
5. Shes a dear friend
6. Shes like a sister to me
7. Hes like the brother I never had
8. Were like brothers
Commenting on uniqueness of someone
1. Hes one of a kind
2. What a character!
3. They dont make them like him anymore (clich)
4. After they made him, they broke the mold (clich)
Commenting on personal similarities
1. We are two of a kind
2. We are cut from the same cloth
3. We are made from the same mold
4. We are birds of a feather (clich)
5. We are like two peas in a pod
Expressions used to make friends at a bar or caf
1. May I join you?
2. Is this stool taken?
3. Is this seat taken?
4. Do you care if I join you?
5. Mind if I join you?
6. Could I buy you a drink?
7. Would you like to play darts?
Inviting someone to dance
1. Care to dance?
2. Would you like to dance?
Approaching the opposite sex
1. Thats a pretty outfit (male to female)
2. Thats a pretty dress (male to female)
3. Dont I know you from somewhere?
4. Didnt we go to high school together?
5. Need a lift?

COMPLEX MATTERS
Expressing support for someone
1. Ill stand by you
2. Im standing behind you
3. I am 100% behind you
4. Im with you
5. Im on your side
6. You have got my support
7. You have got my backing
8. You have got my vote
9. You can count on me
10. You can lean on me
11. You can trust me
12. You can put your trust in me
13. You can put your faith in me
Offering to help someone
1. If there is anything I can do to help, let me know
2. Let me know if there is anything I can do
3. Im here if you need me
4. If you need me, call.
5. I will always be there for you
Expressing trust in someone
1. I have faith in you
2. I have utmost faith in you
3. I have complete faith in you
4. I trust you completely
5. I trust you implicitly
6. I have faith in you
7. I have confidence in you
Expressing encouragement
1. Go on; you can do it!
2. Just one more
3. Just a little harder
4. Stick with it
5. Stay at it
6. Go for it
7. Give it a shot (shot=try)
8. Give it your best shot
9. Keep at it
10. Hang in there
11. Hang tough
12. Stick to it
Encouraging someone to try something
1. Have a go at it (a go=a try)
2. Take a shot at it
3. Take a stab at it
4. Take a crack at it
5. It wont hurt you to try it
6. Everybody is doing it
7. Everyone else is doing it
8. Try your luck
9. See what you can do
10. Nothing ventured, nothing gained (clich)
11. Go on
12. Get going
13. Get going already
14. Get moving
15. No pain, no gain (clich)
16. Get a move on
Encouraging someone to stop stalling and do something
1. Lets see some action
2. Its now or never
3. Fish or cut bait
4. I expect to see some results soon
5. You are letting the world pass you by
Expressing dissatisfaction with someone
1. That wont do
2. That doesnt cut it
3. That doesnt make the grade (to make the grade to quality)
4. Is that it?
5. Its not up to snuff
6. You call that finished?
Asking someone to wait
1. Wait
2. Wait a moment
3. Wait a minute
4. Wait a sec(ond)
5. Wait one moment
6. Wait it out
7. Wait your turn
8. Hold your horses
9. Hold your pants on
Encouraging someone to be patient and take things slowly
1. Take things as they come
2. Take it as it comes
3. Take it one day at a time
4. Time will tell (clich) we will know more in time
5. Rome wasnt built in a day
6. A watched pot never boils
7. Good things come to him who waits (clich)
8. One step at a time
9. It will work out in the end
10. Theres time for everything
11. Everything will fall into place
12. In the long run, everything will be OK
13. It aint over till the fat lady sings (clich)
Giving advice to someone whose life is too busy
1. You cant please everybody
2. You cant be all things to all people
3. You are burning the candle at both the ends
4. You are taking too many things on
5. You are overcommitted
6. You are overdoing it
7. You are carrying the world on your shoulders
8. You need to set your priorities
Giving instructions to someone you have lent something
1. Take care of it
2. I am trusting you to take good care of it
3. Keep an eye on it
4. Guard it with your life
5. I want this back
6. I want it back in one piece
7. Bring it back in one piece
Introducing a secret
1. Just between you and me
2. Just between you, me and the lamppost..
3. I am telling you this in confidence
4. Can you keep a secret?
5. Dont let this get around, but
6. Confidentially
Instructions about keeping a secret
1. Better keep quiet / still about it
2. Keep it to yourself
3. Dont breathe a word of this to anyone
4. Dont let it out of this room
5. Dont let this go any further
6. Dont tell a soul
7. Play dumb
8. This is top secret
9. This is for your eyes only
10. This is for your ears only
11. Dont say who told you
12. This is off the record (off the record not to be reported or quoted)
13. This is not for public knowledge
14. This is not for publication
15. This is not to be quoted
16. This is not for the record
Promising to keep a secret
1. I wont tell a soul
2. My lips are sealed
3. It wont leave this room
4. I will take it to my grave (I will die without telling the secret to anyone)
Forgetfulness
1. Where was i?
2. What was I saying?
3. What were we talking about?
4. I dont remember
5. I am little absentminded
6. I have lost my train of thought
7. Its at the tip of my tongue (its almost ready to be said)
8. Its slipped my mind
9. The thought escapes me
10. Its left my head
When you are in trouble?
1. I am in trouble
2. I am in big / deep trouble
3. My job is on line
4. My reputation is at stake
When someone is in trouble
1. You have really screwed up
2. How could you do something so stupid?
3. What kind of mess did you get yourself into?
4. Thats another fine mess you have gotten us into
5. How are you doing to dig yourself out of this one?
When you are out of money
1. I am broke
2. I am dead / flat broke
3. I dont have a dollar to my name
4. I am busted
5. My pockets are empty
6. I have empty pockets
7. All I have is my good name
8. All I have is the shirt on nmy back
9. I dont know where my next meal is coming from
10. My savings are wiped out
11. I have lost everything
12. I am bankrupt

Expressing stress or anxiety
1. I am going nuts
2. I am losing my mind
3. I am freaking out
4. I am mad at world
5. I need a break
6. I need more sleep
7. My head is going to explode
8. Everything is getting on my nerves
9. I cant take it anymore
10. I cant take another problem
11. I cant deal with this anymore
12. I am on pins and needles
When someone is anxious and under stress
1. Calm down
2. Control yourself
3. Dont worry yourself sick
4. Dont loose sleep over it
5. Dont let it get you
6. Dont trouble yourself
7. You will send yourself to an early grave

DISPUTES
Asking someone in disbelief or disagreement
1. Truly?
2. Really?
3. No kidding?
4. No fooling?
5. Are you serious?
6. Are you pulling my leg?
7. Are you bullshitting me?

POLITE ENCOUNTERS
A preface to asking a question
1. Excuse me
2. Pardon me
3. Excuse me for asking
4. If you dont mind my asking
5. Its none of my business, but.
A preface to making a statement
1. If I may so
2. If I may be so bold
3. If its okay with you
4. If it pleases you
5. Please be advised that
6. For your information
7. As you are aware
When you do not speak a particular language
1. I am sorry. I dont understand
2. I am sorry. I dont speak French
When you do not understand what was said
1. Pardon me?
2. Excuse me?
3. Again please
4. Im sorry. I missed that
5. I didnt quite get that
6. What did you say?
7. What?
8. What was that?
9. Come again

TELLING TIME
Asking the time of the day
1. What time is it?
2. Could you tell me what time it is?
3. Do you know what time it is?
4. Could I bother you for time?
The time is 12:00 o clock
1. Its twelve noon
2. Its noon
3. Its twelve midnight
4. Its midnight
Offering to let someone enter in front of you
1. After you
2. Ladies first
3. You first
4. Age before beauty
5. Be my guest

SHOWING GRATITUDE
Saying thank you formal
1. Thank you
2. Thank you very much
3. Thank you so much
4. Thank you for all you have done
5. You have my thanks
6. You have my gratitude
7. I am deeply grateful
8. I am in your debt
9. I am indebted to you
10. Thanks ever so much
11. Thanks very much
Saying thank you informal
1. Thanks
2. Thanks much
3. Thanks for everything
4. Thanks so much
5. Thanks a million
6. Thanks a bunch
7. I owe you one
8. I owe you big
9. I owe you big-time

RETURNING THANKS
Acknowledging someones thanks formal
1. You are welcome
2. You are most welcome
3. You are entirely welcome
4. My pleasure
5. It was my pleasure
6. The pleasure was mine
7. The pleasure was all mine
8. The pleasure was entirely mine
Acknowledging someones thanks informal
1. It was nothing
2. Dont mention it
3. No problem
4. Any time
5. No trouble3
6. No skin off my nose
7. No skin off my teeth

SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Seeing a new baby
1. Oh, isnt he cute!
2. Isnt he the sweetest thing!
3. Shes beautiful
4. Shes so big
5. What an adorable baby!
6. His eyes are just like his fathers
7. Her nose looks like her mothers
Asking about a new baby
1. How much does he weigh?
2. Was he early?
3. Was she late?
4. Whats his name?
5. Who is she named after?
6. Has he been sleeping well?
7. Can I hold her?
Wishing someone well
1. Happy birthday!
2. Many happy returns
3. Happy anniversary!
4. Congratulations!
5. Good luck!
6. Best wishes!
7. All the best!
8. Have a good time!
9. Have a good trip!
Expressing sympathy at a funeral or wake
1. I am sorry
2. I am so sorry
3. You have my sympathy
4. You have my deepest sympathy
5. My heart goes out to you
6. I share your sorrow
7. I share your pain
8. We will keep you in our prayers
When someone argues too much
1. Dont contradict me
2. You see everything in black and white
3. If I said it was black, youd say it was white
4. You are just being contrary
5. You are just disagreeing to disagree
6. You are just disagreeing for the sake of disagreeing
7. You are just playing devils advocate
8. You are just arguing for the sake of arguing
9. You just like to hear yourself talk
When someone is being annoying
1. Would you stop that?
2. Could you please stop doing that?
3. You are really trying my patience
4. Thats really annoying
5. Thats really irritating
6. Thats driving me nuts
7. Thats really bothersome
8. Thats really bothering me
9. Thats really bugging me
10. Thats really getting on my nerves
11. Why dont you rub a little salt in the wound?
12. Why dont you twist the knife in my back?
When someone makes an unwelcome intervention
1. Who asked you?
2. Who asked your opinion?
3. When I want your opinion. I will ask for it
4. Who invited you?
5. You are not invited
6. You are not welcome here
7. We dont want your kind around here
Starting a fight
1. Do you want to step outside (and settle this)?
2. Would you like to step outside?
Asking someone to leave your property alone
1. Hands off!
2. Excuse me, thats mine.
3. Did I say you could touch that?
When someone overreacts
1. Relax
2. Dont get bent out of shape
3. Dont make a federal case out of it
4. Like its such a big deal
5. Its no big deal
6. You are making a mountain out of a molehill
7. Dont bite my head off
8. Sue me
9. So sue me
Requesting silence
1. Quiet!
2. Be quiet!
3. Keep quiet!
4. Keep still!
5. Be still!
6. Hush!
7. Silence!
8. Hold your tongue!
9. Not another word
10. Clam up!
11. Button your lip!
When someone is not doing enough
1. You are not doing your share
2. You are not doing your fair share
3. You are not carrying your weight
4. You are slacking off
5. You are not reaching your potential
When someone starts trouble
1. Stop stirring things up
2. You like to make trouble, dont you?
3. Dont you have anything better to do?
4. Get a job
5. Get a hobby

VISITS
GUESTS AND HOSTS
Asking to visit someone
1. Are you free later today
2. Could I come over later today?
3. Do you mind if I stop by later today?
4. Would it be a problem if I dropped by for a few minutes?
5. Are you busy or can I come over?
6. When would be the good time for me to come over?
7. Whens a good time for you?
8. Ill be there

When you are invited to an informal mean in a home
1. Do I need to bring anything?
2. Would you like me to bring anything?
3. Can I bring something?
4. Should I bring something?
5. Let me bring dessert
Explaining why one is late
1. I misjudged the time
2. I didnt realize it was so late
3. I lost track of time
4. I overslept
5. My alarm did not go off
6. I got sidetracked (sidetracked distracted)
7. My last appointment ran over
8. I had to run an errand
9. I had to get money
10. I couldnt get a taxi
11. Traffic was slow
12. Traffic was hell
13. I was stuck in traffic
14. I got lost
15. It took me longer to get here that I thought it would
16. It took longer than I expected to get here
17. I didnt realize this was so far away
18. I couldnt find a parking place
Greetings for visitors
1. Look whos here!
2. Well, look whos here?
3. Fancy meeting you here
Inviting a visitor to come in
1. Come on in
2. Come right on in
3. Do come in
4. Please come in
5. Come in and make yourself at home
After greeting a visitor
1. What a nice surprise!
2. I am delighted to have you
3. I am so glad you could come by
4. I am so glad you could drop by
5. I am so glad you could stop by / visit

Making a visitor welcome and comfortable
1. Make yourself comfortable
2. Make yourself comfy
3. Make yourself right at home
4. My house is your house
5. If there is anything you need, dont hesitate to ask
Encouraging a guest to be independent
1. Please go around and introduce yourself to everyone
2. Just go in and meet everyone
3. Get yourself a drink and something to eat
Starting a conversation using the topic of weather
1. Nice weather we are having
2. Lousy weather, isnt it?
3. Its raining again
4. Its bright and sunny
5. The sun is shining
6. What a downpour!
What to say when in a crowded place
1. Its too crowded here
2. We are packed in like sardines
3. This party is wall to wall people
4. I need some elbowroom
5. Theres no room to breathe

MISCELLANEOUS EXPRESSIONS
Comments and Phrases
General Exclamations
1. Wow!
2. Gosh!
3. Gee!
4. Holy cow!
5. Holy smoke!
6. Imagine that!
7. Can you beat that!
8. Fancy that!
Expressing death
1. She died
2. Shes deceased
3. She expired
4. She perished
5. She passed on
6. She passed away
7. Hes no long among us
8. Hes gone to a better land
9. She met her make
10. Shes joined the angels in heaven
11. The lord took her home
12. He quit this world
13. Shes six feet under
Expressing differences between people clichs
1. Different strokes for different folks
2. One mans meat is another mans poison
3. One mans trash is another mans treasure
4. Tastes differ
5. There is no accounting for taste
6. Variety is the spice of life
7. It takes all kinds to make a world
Warning
1. Be prepared!
2. Be careful!
3. Watch out!
4. Watch your step!
5. Proceed with caution!

Cause and effect clichs
1. April showers bring may flowers
2. One good turn deserves another
3. One thing leads to another

PERSONAL MATTERS
Feelings
Asking if someone is alright
1. Are you ok?
2. Are you alright?
3. Life got you down?
4. Are things getting you down?
Asking why someone looks so unhappy
1. Whats the matter?
2. Someone got you down?
3. Why are you so blue? (blue sad)
4. Why is your face so long?
Encouraging someone who is unhappy
1. Cheer up!
2. Things are never as bad as they seem
3. It will workout
4. Dont let it get you down
5. Chin up
6. Keep your chin up
7. Things will get better
8. Tomorrow is another day
9. Its always darkest before dawn
10. There is no point in carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders
When you are depressed
1. I am depressed
2. I am feeling low
3. I am feeling down
4. I am feeling blue (blue sad)
5. I am out of sorts
Expressing despair and emptiness
1. My heart is heavy
2. My heart is broken
3. I am downhearted
4. I am heartbroken

THE SENSES
Difficulty in hearing
1. I am sorry, I am hard of hearing
2. I am sorry, I am hearing-impaired
3. He suffered a hearing loss
4. Hes stone deaf
Lacking an ear for music
1. I dont have an ear for music
2. Im stone deaf
3. Hes got an ear for the piano
The taste of foods
1. Delicious
2. That tastes great
3. Thats unfit for human consumption
Expressing hunger
1. I am hungry
2. I am famished
3. I am stared
4. My mouth is watering
5. The stew is mouth watering
Identifying smells
1. Whats that well?
2. What smells?
3. Do you smell something?
4. Whats that fragrance?
5. Whats that aroma?
6. Whats that stench?
LOVE AND SEX
Asking someone for a date
1. Are you free Saturday evening?
2. What are you upto this weekend?
3. Would you like to go to dinner?
4. I was wondering if you would like to go out

Concerning attraction
1. He is really cute
2. She is really attractive
3. She is really a doll
4. She is really pretty
5. What a doll

FAMILY MATTERS
HOMELIFE
Scolding a child
1. Behave
2. Behave yourself
3. Be good
4. Be a good girl
5. Thats enough of that!

FOOD AND DRINK
Supermarkets
Locating things in a supermarket
1. Where will I find ketchup?
2. Do you carry diet root beer?
3. What aisle is the canned salmon in?
4. In what aisle is frozen food?
5. Where is chocolate milk?
When supplies run out at a grocery store
1. I am afraid we are out of that item
2. I am afraid we dont carry that
3. I am afraid we dont have it in stock

FAST FOOD
A fast-food clerk taking an order
1. Can I take your order?
2. May I take your order, please?
3. What would you like?
4. May I help you?
A fast food clerk asking where the food will be eaten
1. For here or to go?
2. Will this be for here or to go?
3. Do you want that to go?
4. Are you going to eat it here?
1.
2. No ketchup
3. No onions
4. Hold the onions
5. Hold the mayo
6. Go easy on the onions
7. Take it easy on the onions
8. Take it easy with the onions

CAFES AND SANDWICH SHOPS
Placing an order in caf
1. I would like burger and fries
2. I will have a cheese burger and fries
3. I will have an order of fries
4. A large bowl of chillies, please.

RESTAURANTS
Asking for a table at a restaurant
1. A table for one / two
2. Two, please
3. I would like a non-smoking table for two
4. I have a reservation
Requesting attention from a waiter or waitress
1. Can you come here when you have a second?
2. Oh, waiter!
3. Oh, miss!
4. Excuse me, maam.
5. Pardon me
6. Excuse me
Asking about the location of a rest room in apublic building
1. Is there somewhere I could wash my hands?
2. Where are the public rest rooms?
3. Where is the washroom?
4. Where is the mens room?
5. Where is the ladies room?
6. Where would I find the rest rooms?
Requests to have the uneaten food wrapped so it can be taken home
1. Could you wrap this, please?
2. I would like to take the rest
3. I would like to take the rest home
Asking for the bill in a restaurant
1. Could I have the bill?
2. Could I have the check?
3. We would like the bill, please.
4. Check, please.
5. Separate checks, please.

HEALTH AND APPEARANCE
When someone is in good health
1. Hes the picture of health
2. He looks good / great
3. He is at the top of his form
Observing that someone looks disorderly
1. You look tired
2. You look like you need some sleep
3. You look dreadful
4. You look terrible
5. You look like hell

SICKNESS
Concerning Allergies
1. I am allergic to cats / dogs / strawberries / chocolate
2. I cant eat strawberries
3. I cant digest milk / diary products
4. I am lactose intolerant
5. I have an environmental illness
When someone sneezes
1. Bless you
2. God bless you
Allergic problem with eyes
1. My eyes are swollen / puffy / itchy
When you feel like vomiting
1. I feel sick to my stomach
2. I feel nauseous
3. I feel like throwing up
4. I think I am going to throw up / vomit
5. I think I am going to loose my cookies
6. I think I am going to loose my lunch
Describing a pain in the head
1. I have a headache
2. My head hurts
3. My head is killing me
4. My head is throbbing / pounding
5. Theres a hammering inside my head
6. I have an excruciating headache
Describing dizziness
1. I am dizzy
2. The room is spinning
3. I am so dizzy I cant stand up

DOCTORS
Telling the doctor about various pains and problems
1. There a cramp in my knee
2. I have a lump here
3. I feel weak / dizzy / feverish
4. I get the chills
5. I cant put pressure on my foot
6. I cant step down on my foot
7. It burns when I go to the bathroom
8. My eyes hurt in bright light
Telling the doctor how long you have been ill
1. I have been sick for a day
2. I lost my appetite four days ago
3. This started a week ago
Explaining that your health is improving
1. I am improving
2. I am getting better
3. I am getting over it
4. I am getting back on my feet
5. I am getting back to normal
6. I am bouncing back
7. I am on the road of recovery
8. Things are looking up
9. I am better
10. I am better than I was
Explaining that you are receiving medical care
1. I still have to go back to the doctor for a follow-up
2. I am still under a doctors care
3. I am still seeing a doctor
4. I am in therapy
5. I am still seeing a therapist
Explaining that you are cured of a health problem
1. I am well now
2. I am all better
3. I am completely over it
4. I am as good as new
5. Its like it never happened
6. I feel like a new person

EMPLOYMENT
Complaining to a human resources or personnel director
1. I would like to file a complaint
2. I am not getting along with one of my co-workers
3. My boss has been harassing me
4. I am being discriminated against
Describing a lack of work experience
1. You have not had much experience (in this line of work)
2. You are still a little new to all this
3. You are a little green
4. You are still young
5. You are still new
6. You will catch on
7. Give it time
Concerning an easy task or employment position
1. I can do that
2. No sweat
3. Simple
4. Simplicity itself
5. I could do that with my eyes closed
6. I could do that with one arm tied behind my back
7. I could do that in my sleep
8. Its easy as ABC
9. Its second nature
10. Its like breathing
Making claims about your competence and ability
1. I know it backwards and forwards
2. I know it inside and out
3. I know my math (math job)
4. I am an old hand at this
5. You want to hear about my battle scars (want to hear about my past experiences and problems)

SHOPPING
Stores and shops
Questions a sales person might ask a customer
1. What are you interested in?
2. Are you looking for something in particular?
3. Do you have anything in mind?
When a customer wants to try on the clothing
1. I would like to try this on
2. I want to try this on
3. Can I try these on?
4. Where it he fitting room?
Encouraging remarks a sales person might make to a customer
1. Thats looks nice on you
2. That looks great on you
3. Thats your color
4. That is you!
5. That flatters you
6. Thats very flattering
7. That really flatters your figure

CLOTHES CLEANING
Placing an order with a dry cleaner or a launderer
1. Can you get this stain out?
2. Is it possible to get a stain like this out?
3. I would like to have this presses, please
4. This need to be laundered
5. I need this by tomorrow

HAIR CARE
Request and inquiries to a barber or hairdresser
1. Shampoo and blow dry, please
2. I would just like a trim / perm
3. Just trim off the ends
4. A little off the sides


TELEPHONES
Answering the Telephone
Answering the telephone residential
1. Hello
2. Smith residence
3. Hello, smith residence
4. Yes

Asking whom a telephone caller wants to talk to
1. Who do you want to talk to?
2. Who do you want to speak with?
3. Who do you wish to speak with?
Screening someones telephone calls
1. May I tell him whos calling?
2. May I ask whos calling?
3. Whom may I say is calling?
4. Who shall I say is calling?
5. Whos calling?
6. Is she expecting your call?
Putting a telephone caller on hold
1. He is on another line. Will you hold?
2. Would you care to hold?
3. Would you like to hold?
4. Just a moment, please.
Offering to take a message from a telephone caller
1. Hes not in; would you like to call back?
2. She is not available. Can I take a message?
3. She is away from her desk. Can I take a message?
4. Could I take a message?
5. Could I have someone call you?
Making emergency calls
1. I want to report a fire
2. I want to report a robbery in progress
3. There is a house on fire at 406 maple street
4. Theres been an accident and we need an ambulance
5. There is an emergency
6. Please connect me with the police

TELEPHONE SOLICITATION
When you are interrupted by a telephone solicitor
1. I am sorry, but I am not interested
2. I dont have time to talk right now
3. I cant talk right now
4. You caught me in the middle of dinner
5. How did you get my name?
6. No, thank you.
7. We dont accept telephone solicitations

TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION
Air Travel
Questions a passenger might ask about an airline flight
1. Is this direct?
2. Is it nonstop?
3. Is there a layover?
4. How long is the layover?
5. Do I have to change planes?
6. Is a meal served?
7. Is there a meal?
8. Can I order a special meal?
9. How much carry-on luggage is permitted?
On an airplane
1. You are in seat 12F
2. You are in my seat
Entering US through customs and immigration
1. Do you have anything to declare?
2. Did you buy anything?
3. Are you bringing anything into the country with you?
4. How much currency are you bringing into the country?
5. May I see your passport?
6. What is your citizenship?
7. Do you have your visa?
8. How long do you plan on staying?
9. What is the purpose of the visit?
10. Please place your suitcases on the table
11. I need to examine the contents of your purse