Useful phrases in various

situations
Expressing Goodwill
• . . .when someone is arriving • Encouragement
• Welcome • Good luck!
• Good luck on your test.
• Welcome back!
• You can do it!
• Come in. • Do your best.
• It’s good to meet you. • Do the best you can.
(first time only) • Work hard.
• It’s good to see you again. • Keep up the good work
(after the first time)

• . . . when someone is leaving • Reassurance

• • Take it easy.
It’s been nice talking with you.
• Don’t worry.
• Have a good/nice day. • That’s okay.
• Have a nice weekend. • It’s going to be all right.
• Have a nice trip. • Everything will be fine.
• Have fun. • No problem.
• Keep in touch.
• Responses to good news
• Wow!
• That’s great!
• That’s wonderful.
• That’s really good news.
• I’m glad/happy to hear that.
• Congratulations!
• Good for you!
• Good job!
• Responses to bad news
• That’s too bad.
• That’s really sad.
• That’s terrible!
(for really bad news)
• I’m sorry to hear that.
(for sad news)
Speaking Situations: Encouraging Words
Phrases for these situations
• Conversation practice:
• Role play* the following situations with a partner:
• Arriving
• 1. Your partner has just arrived at your home. What do you say?
• 2. You haven’t seen your partner for a long time.
• What do you say when you see him/her again?
• 3. Your partner just arrived at the airport in your city. Welcome him/her.
• Additional phrases:
• It’s good to be here. (guest says)
• I hope you had a nice flight. (host says)
• Leaving
• 4. After a short conversation, your friend has to leave.
• What do you say to him/her?
• 5. You are seeing your friend off at the airport.
• What do you say?
• 6. Your partner is leaving a party that you hosted. What do you say?
• Additional phrases:
• Thanks for coming. (host says)
• I’m glad you came.
• Thanks for inviting me. (guest says)
• I really had a good time.
• Encouragement
• 7. Your partner has a big exam this afternoon. What do you say?
• 8. Your partner has a job interview tomorrow. What do you say?
• Reassurance
• 9. Your partner’s dog was hit by a car. He/She is worried, but the dog will be okay.
• What do you say?
• Good news
• 10. Your partner’s wife just had a healthy baby daughter. What do you say?
• 11. Your partner just got a huge promotion at work. What do you say?
• T
12. Your partner just won first prize in a cooking contest. What do you say?
• Bad news
• 13. Your partner lost 15,000 on the stock market. What do you say?
• 14. Your partner’s grandmother just passed away. What do you say?
• 15. Your partner’s home was destroyed by a tornado. What do you say?
• *Note:
• A typical response to an expression of goodwill is “thank you (for . . .)”
or a reciprocal expression of goodwill.
• Example:
• Come in. Welcome to our home.
• Thanks for inviting us.
• It’s been nice talking to you.
• Good talking to you too.
ASKING FOR FAVORS
Speaking Situations: Asking For Favors
NG FOR FAVORS
Conversation practice Asking the favor (from least formal to most polite):

• Practice asking your classmates to do favors for you.
• See the sample phrases below.
• Getting someone’s attention
• Excuse me,
• Pardon me,
• Sorry to bother you, but . . .
• Can you open the door for me?
• Will you hand me a pencil?
• Would you turn on the air conditioner?
• Could you help me with these boxes?
• Would you please turn down the music?

• Could you possibly give me a ride home?

Follow-up
• Would you mind taking a picture for us?
Thanks for your help
Thank you so much. • Would you be so kind as to lend me your cell phone?
Thanks, I really appreciate it.
Clarifying

Clarifying your own ideas Asking for Clarification

In other words, What do you mean (by that)?

What I mean is . . . What are you trying to say?

What I’m trying to say is . . . What was that again?

What I wanted to say was . . .
Could you clarify that?
To clarify,
Clarifying another’s ideas

You mean . . .

What you mean is . . .

What you’re saying is . . .

(I think) what she means is . . .

What he’s trying to say is . . .

If I understand you, (you’re saying that . . . )

If I’m hearing you correctly,

So, you think (that) . . .