Greetings and Leave-taking

Greetings
A: Hello! How are you?
B: Fine, thank you. How are you?
A: How are you doing? (informal)
B: Pretty good. How about you?
A: How's it going? (informal)
B: Oh, not bad. How about you?
A: What's up? (informal)
B: Not too much.
A: How are things? (informal)
B: Pretty good. How are things with you?
A: What've you been up to? (informal)
B: Oh, not too much. How about you?

Leave-takings
A: It was nice talking to you.
B: You, too.
A: I enjoyed seeing you.
B: You, too./Me, too.
A: I have to get back to work.
B: See you later.
A: I've got to be going.
B: Nice talking to you.
A: 'Bye.
B: Good-bye.
 Introductions

A: Kimiko, this is my friend Dale. Dale, this is Kimiko, my

roommate from Japan.
B: Nice to meet you, Kimiko.
C: Nice to meet you, too.

A: Dr. Little, let me introduce my sister Yukimi. Yukimi, this is

my English professor,
Dr. Little. (formal)
B: I'm glad to meet you, Yukimi.
C: It's my pleasure.

A: My name is Jun Tanaka. I'm a new student here.

B: It's nice to meet you, Jun. I'm Randy Ross.
 ２ Making Conversation

A: Where are you from?

B: I'm from Fukuoka. It's in the southwestern part of Japan.

A: Where do you go to school?

B: I'm a student at UCLA. What about you?

A: Are you married?

B: Yes, I am. My husband is a high school English teacher.

A: What did you do last weekend?

B: Oh, I just studied. I have a math test today.

A: What kind of work do you do?

B: I'm a nurse. I work at Mercy Hospital.

A: Do you like baseball?

B: Yes, my favorite team is the Giants. Are you a baseball fan?

A: The weather's beautiful today, isn't it?

B: Yes, I think spring has finally come.
 ３ Invitations

Invitations and Acceptances

A: I'm having a party on Friday. Can you come? (informal)

B: Sure, that sounds like fun.

A: Shall we have lunch together tomorrow? (informal)

B: That's a good idea.

A: I'm going to see "Gone with the Wind" this weekend. You want
to come? (informal)
B: Yeah, let's do that.

A: Would you like to come to dinner on Saturday? (formal)

B: Thank you very much--I'd like that.

A: I'm having a party on Saturday evening--do come.

B: Thanks, I'd love to.
 ４ Invitations and Refusals

A: I'm having a party on Friday. Can you come? (informal)

B: I'm sorry, but I've already made plans for Friday.

A: Shall we have lunch together tomorrow? (informal)

B: Thanks for thinking of me, but I have a lunch meeting
tomorrow. How about Thursday?

A: I'm going to see "Gone with the Wind" this weekend. You want
to come? (informal)
B: Sorry, but I'm going out of town over the weekend. Maybe
some other time.

A: Would you like to come to dinner on Saturday? (formal)

B: It's kind of you to invite me, but I'm afraid I'm going to be
busy this weekend.

A: I'm having a party on Friday evening--do come.

B: I'm working Friday evening, but thanks anyway. Maybe next
time.
 5 Compliment

A: That's really a nice coat.

B: Thank you. I just bought it.

A: That vase is beautiful.

B: Thanks. My parents brought it back from Thailand.

A: I like your sweater.

B: Thank you. My girlfriend made it.

A: Dinner smells delicious.

B: Thanks. We're having roast beef.

A: That was an interesting paper.

B: Thank you. I enjoyed working on it.
 ６ Giving Feedback

Feedback indicating you understand

A: The first thing you do is push the red button.

B: (nodding) Uh-huh.

A: When you fill out this form, write your name and address in
this space.
B: I see.

A: And then when you finish, you put the forms in here.
B: I understand.

Feedback indicating you don't understand

A: (speaking softly) Would you hand me that paper?
B: Pardon me?
A: (still speaking softly) Would you hand me that paper?
B: Could you speak a little louder?
A: I'm going to give you a citation.
B: Excuse me, but what does "citation" mean?
A: Don't forget to fill out your 1040NR.
B: What do you mean by a "1040NR?"
 7 Giving Gifts

A: I brought you something for your birthday. I hope you like it.
B: Thank you!

A: Here's a little something for Christmas. Merry Christmas!

B: Why, thank you. That was really thoughtful of you.

A: Is it OK if I open this now?

B: Sure, go ahead.

A: This is really beautiful. Thank you very much.

B: You're welcome. I'm happy you like it.

A: This was really thoughtful of you. Thank you so much.

B: You're welcome.
 ８ Expressing Opinions
A: I hear that the school is raising tuition. What do you think
about that?
B: I don't like it. Tuition is too high already.

A: I think pizza is really delicious, don't you?

B: Yes, I like it, too.

A: In my opinion, the number of hour of English study in high

school should be
increased.
B: I see what you mean, but students already have a lot of
demands on their time.

A: In my opinion, Nara is the most interesting city in Japan.

B: I agree. Its temples and shrines are really wonderful.

A: I thought that A Tale of Two Cities is a fascinating book. Did

you like it?
B: Well, not really. I thought it was rather slow.

A: (state an opinion)
B: (disagree with your partner)
A: (state an opinion)
B: (agree with your partner)

9 Making Requests

A: Could I look at your book for a few minutes, if you don't mind.
B: Sure, here you go.

A: I'd appreciate it very much if you could help me with my

homework this evening, if
that would be convenient. (formal)
B: I'd be happy to.

A: Would you please speak a little louder.

B: OK.

A: Would you mind filling out this form. (formal)

B: Not at all.

A: Can you open the door.

B: Sure.

A: I'd like a chicken sandwich, if it isn't too much trouble.

(informal)
B: All right.

A: Could I ask you to give me a ride home. (formal)

B: Certainly.

A: Will you watch my suitcase.

B: All right.

A: Hand me that file.

B: Here you go.

10 Responding Requests

Agreeing to requests

A: Would you mind holding this.

B: No, not at all.

A: Could I ask you to keep my cat while I'm gone.

B: I'd be happy to.

A: Could I borrow your pencil.

B: Sure, here it is.
A: I forgot my dictionary. Can I borrow yours.
B: Certainly.

A: I'd appreciate it very much if you would help me with my

English.
B: Of course. Just let me know when is convenient for you.

Turning down requests

A: Would you mind holding this.

B: Sorry, but my hands are full.

A: Could I ask you to keep my cat while I'm gone.

B: I'm afraid I'm going to be out of town myself.

A: Could I borrow your pencil.

B: Sorry, but I need it.

A: I forgot my dictionary. Can I borrow yours.

B: I'm sorry, but I'm using it.

A: I'd appreciate it very much if you would help me with my

English.
B: I'm afraid I'm pretty busy these days.
11 Offering

Offering and Accepting

A: Have some more vegetables. (informal)

B: Thank you.

A: Would you like me to help?

B: I'd appreciate that.

A: You must let me take care of that. (informal)

B: Oh, thank you so much.

A: Have a copy of my new book. (informal)

B: Well, thanks. This looks interesting.

A: Let me help you. (informal)

B: Thank you very much.

Offering and Refusing

A: Have some more vegetables. (informal)

B: No, thanks, I've had enough.
A: Could I get you a drink? (formal)
B: No, thank you. I'm not thirsty.

A: Let me help you. (informal)

B: Thank you very much, but I can do it.

A: You must let me take care of that. (informal)

B: Oh, no, thanks, I can manage.

12 Asking Preferences and Specifying

Choices

A: Would you like something to drink?

B: What do you have?
A: Let's see, there's some coffee, iced tea, and orange juice here.
B: Coffee sounds good.

A: Where do you want to go for dinner? There's an Italian

restaurant near here, and a
Chinese restaurant. I also know of a good steak house.
B: I love Italian food--let's go there.

A: What do you want to do this afternoon?

B: Do you have any suggestions?
A: We could go swimming at the public pool, or we could go to a
movie, or we could go
for a drive up in the mountains.
B: Let's go swimming. I haven't had a chance to go swimming in
a long time.

A: What do you want for dinner? There's some steak in the

freezer, and we could have
that with salad and potatoes, or we could get a pizza delivered,
if you prefer.
B: I'd like pizza, if that's OK with you.

A: What movie do you want to watch? I have videos of The

Miracle Worker, Rain Man,
and Gone with the Wind.
B: Let's watch Gone with the Wind--I haven't seen that in years.

13 Apologizing

A: I'm really very sorry. (formal; strong)

B: Please don't worry about it. (formal)

A: Sorry about that. (informal; weak)

B: No big deal. (informal)

A: I'm sorry to be late--I got a phone call just as I was leaving.

(formal)
B: That's all right. (formal)

A: I really must apologize for this misunderstanding. (formal;

strong)
B: Please don't give it another thought. (formal)

A: Sorry. (informal; weak)

B: No problem. (informal)

A: Please accept my apologies. (formal; strong)

B: That's all right. (formal)

14 Making Complaints

A: It looks like there's been a mistake. I think you may have

charged me too much for
dinner.
B: Let me see the bill. Oh--your right. I'm so sorry.
A: I'd be happy to let you borrow my books if you want, but
would you mind asking me
when you want one.
B: Of course--I should have thought about that.

A: Would you be more careful to turn off the air conditioning

when you leave.
B: I'm sorry--I hadn't realized I was leaving it on.

A: I'm afraid the TV is distracting me. Do you think you could

turn it off.
B: Certainly.

A: I had this television repaired here last week, and it still isn't
working properly.
B: Well, leave it here, and we'll look at it again.

A: Excuse me, but I haven't received my Coke yet.

B: Oh, I'm sorry. I'll get it for you right away.

15 Giving Advice and Making

Suggestions

A: Try turning down the air conditioning. (informal)

B: That's a good idea.

A: Can you return it to the company?

B: I think I'll try that.

A: It might be a good idea to talk to your teacher about it.

(formal)
B: I'll give it a try.

A: Have you thought of giving up one of your jobs. (formal)

B: That's a good idea.

A: May I suggest that you give her a call. (formal)

B: I'll do that.

A: You should talk to your parents about it. (informal)

B: I'll give it a try.

16 Correcting

A: Excuse me, but the Civil War started in 1861, not 1860.
B: Oh, you're right.
A: Um, I think Ms. Hirai's office is on the fourth floor, not the
third.
B: Oh, OK.

A: Don't you think there are more people than that? Maybe a
thousand?
B: You may be right.

A: That's a "B," isn't it, not a "D."

B: I thought it was a "D." I'll check.

A: According to the TV news, he's arriving tomorrow, not Friday.

B: Oh, really.

17 Expressing Appreciations

A: Thank you.
B: You're welcome.

A: Thanks. (informal)
B: No problem. (informal)

A: Thanks a lot. I appreciate your help. (informal)

B: Happy to help. (informal)

A: Thank you. That was very nice of you. (formal)

B: You're welcome.

A: Thanks for the book. It looks very interesting.

B: You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it.

A: Thank you for taking care of my cat while I was gone. I really
appreciate it.
B: You're welcome. I was glad to be of help.

18 Congratulating and Expressing

Sympathy
Congratulating

A: I got a "A" on my math test.

B: Great! Congratulations!
A: Thank you.

A: I found a job at ABC Company.

B: Congratulations! That's wonderful! When do you start?
A: On Monday.
A: I hear you're getting married next month. Congratulations!
B: Thank you!

A: John mentioned that you're going to be retiring next month.

Congratulations!
B: Thank you!

Expressing Sympathy

A: I failed my math test.

B: Oh, that's too bad.
A: My uncle died last week.

B: I'm so sorry to hear that. Were you able to go to the funeral?

A: No, the funeral was in New York, so I wasn't able to be there.

A: My brother is very ill, and I'm going home to help care for
him.
B: I'm really sorry. I hope he gets better soon.

A: Our house was badly damaged in the storm last night.

B: Oh, no! I don't know what to say. I'm really, really sorry.
A: I wasn't able to finish that project. I was ill last week.
B: I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you're feeling better.