Universidad Central de Venezuela

Facultad de Humanidades y Educación

Escuela de Letras
Sem. 2021-01
Profa. Cristina Gálvez Martos

Questions in English / Basic conversation

vocabulary/ Courtesy
1.- Lets read…
̶ Hi, Michael, it´s so good to
finally see you again!
̶ Yeah, it has been a long time,
how´s it going?
̶ Not bad, lots of work but
everything is going well. How is
Jenny and the kids?
̶ They´re alright. The kids are
growing so fast. What about you, ̶ Oh, I see… Where are you living
are you still working in that now?
company? ̶ I live near here, actually, just three
̶ Yes, I am, although I´d like to blocks away. And you? Do you still have
find something else. the same job?
̶ Good, and do you still live in the ̶ Yes, I do… In fact, that´s what I
same place? wanted to talk about. We are looking for
̶ No, I don´t. I moved around six someone right now and I think you
months ago… would be perfect for the job. Are you
interested in hearing about it?
̶ Sure, I am interested, please go
ahead.
̶ Well, we basically need someone to
organize and coordinate events and
meetings.
̶ Great, but why are you looking for
someone, I thought you were doing that.
̶ Yeah, I was, but it is now too much
work for one person.
̶ I understand. Please, tell me more.
̶ Great, but first, can I ask you some
questions? You know, just as a formality.
̶ Be my guest…
Question words/ phrases… (open questions)
Who Why Which When
Where What How much / how long / how
often…
Auxiliary verbs (closed questions)

Do you…? Are you…? Have you…? Can I…?*

Open questions Closed questions
- Where are you living now? - Do you like working there?
I´m living two blocks away from here. No, not so much.

- Who do you live with? - Are you interested in the job?

I live with my mother and my sister. Yes, I am.

- When do you want to start? - Can I ask you some questions?

I would like to start as soon as possible Yes, of course.
- How long have you been working there? - Have you been working for the past
For around three years. year?
- Which are your main interests? Yes, I have.
I like reading, studying, researching…
Structure
Open questions

What is the best thing about your current job?

→ Question word / phrase + auxiliary verb + subject…

Where are you living right now?

→ Question word / phrase + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb…

Closed questions

Do you like working there?

→ Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb…

Are you looking for a job at the moment?

→ Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb…
Concordance → The auxiliary verb must match with the subject
and the tense.

Do you like working there?

Does she like working there
Did he like working there?
Where was she living before?
Who were you working with?
When did you move?
2.- Lets read…
̶ Good morning, Evelyn, how are
you?
̶ Hey, Melissa! I´m ok, thanks.
̶ Mmm… You don´t look so well.
̶ Actually, I am a bit worried.
̶ Why is that?
̶ I´m just so stressed out. I have a
million things to do, and Jenny wants
me to have a report ready for
tomorrow.
̶ I´m sorry to hear that, I apologize if
I have been asking too much lately.
̶ Don´t worry about it, I know you
are terribly busy too.
̶ So, you think you won´t be able to
finish that report?
̶ Not for tomorrow, I don´t think so.
̶ Do you want me to talk to Jenny
̶ Oh, that would be very helpful, yes.
̶ Ok, I will. Try to calm and please
talk to me if you need anything else.
That was wrong of us for being so
demanding lately.
̶ Thank you, Melissa, you are so
kind, I really appreciate it.
̶ Not a problem. I hope you feel
better.
̶ Thanks, I have to go now, I will see
you later.
̶ Take care, I must go too, we will
Conversation and courtesy

Other ways of saying… HELLO!

• Good morning/ afternoon/ evening
• How are you? How´s it going?
• Long time no see!
• It´s so good to see you!

• It´s been a long time

• It´s been ages!
• How´s everything?
• How are things? / How´s life? • It´s so nice to see you

• What´s new?
• It´s been a while!
Conversation and courtesy

Other ways of saying… THANK YOU

•Thanks
•Thank you for your help • That meant a lot to me.
• Thank you so much! • I can´t thank you enough

•Thanks a lot • I owe you one!

•Thanks a million • You are the best

• You rock!
• I really appreciate it / that
• You made my day.
•I´m very grateful for…

• That is very kind of you

Other ways of saying… YOU ARE WELCOME
• No problem
• That´s ok •I'm happy to help
• Don´t worry about it •No big deal
•Don´t mention it • Not at all!

•You got it

• No worries
•I´m glad to help

• My pleasure
Other ways of saying… YES
• Why not? • Of course

• Sure! • Go ahead

• Yeah! • Be my guest

• You bet! • I guess so… / I suppose…

• Definitely

• Without a doubt
• Absolutely

•No problem
Other ways of saying… NO
• Not right now •I´m afraid I can´t

• I don´t think so • I´d rather not

• Nope • I think I´ll pass

• Not yet • Maybe another time

• Unfortunately, that´s not possible.
•Probably not

• Definitely not
• No thanks

•No way
Other ways of saying… SORRY
• Sorry about that! • I owe you an apology

• I´m so/ really / terribly sorry •That was wrong of me

• My bad / my mistake •Excuse me/ Pardon me…

• It was my fault • I truly regret my behavior

• It won´t happen again
• I messed up / I screwed it up

• I take full responsibility for…

• My apologies for… / I apologize for…

Can you think of other ways of saying
“please” or “goodbye”?
3.- Lets read…
Good
̶ __________morning, Annica, how are you today?
____________
nice
̶ Everything´s ok, thank you! ________ to see you.
̶ Thanks! Hey, I wanted to ask you something.
Sure
̶ _______! What is it?
Would you mind
̶ I´m a bit hurried with that report I told you about. _______________
finishing it by tomorrow?
Absolutely
̶ ____________, no problem, Michael, I´ll have it ready.
appreciate
̶ I really ______________ owe
it, I _______ you one. And excuse me if I have
been asking to much lately, there´s too much work to do.
mention
̶ Don´t _________ I´m glad
it. ________________ I can help.
̶ Thanks again! I have to go now, I´ll see you.
Take
̶ __________ See you
care, Mike. ______________ later.