Sellen es Social Interaction FO ree cert SOCIAL EXPRESSIONS Betty Kirkpatrick ma ate... aaa @ Thirty realistic and lively passages dealing with everyday situations ™@ Each passage containing expressions frequently found in everyday conversation | GT Ele ella Kolm uiU Mot escola ll chey i example sentences and Language Help notes ™@ Exercises for self-testing with answer keyEnglish for Social Interaction SOCIAL EXPRESSIONS Betty Kirkpatrick ma© 2004 Learners Publishing Pte Ltd First published 2004 by Learners Publishing Pte Ltd 222 Tagore Lane, #03-01 TG Building, Singapore 787603 Reprinted 2005, 2007, 2008 All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, or transmitted by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Email: [email protected] Visit our website: http://www. leamers.com.sg ISBN 978 981 4107 815 Printed by B & Jo Enterprise Pte Ltd, Singapore a Please remember that unauthorized photocopying of this book is illegal. Associare Companies RIC Learners International Limited PO. Box 332, Greenwood WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6924 RIC Publications Limited (Asia) 5th floor, Gotanda Mikado Building 2-5-8 Hiratsuka, Shinagawa-ku Tokyo JAPAN 142-0051 Tel: 03-3788-9201 Fax: 03-3788-9202 Email: [email protected] Website: www. ricpublications.comIntroduction D Telephoning » Saying goodbye BD Making introductions dD Expressing anxiely B Apologizing DB Local shopping D High street shopping B special greetings D siving thanks D Wishing people well b Greeting people b Discussing intentions B Issuing invitations b Offering help 15) Asking permission VGUVYIVUYY YYUVUIGUIY > Asking directions Talking about the weather Going out for dinner Expressing sympathy Going out for coffee Giving warning Expressing likes and dislikes Seeking holiday advice Expressing uncertainty Visiting the doctor Expressing pleasure Failing to agree Telling time and dates Paying compliments Making appointments nswers, 102 107 13 W7 122 127 132 138iv Learners usually find that it is more difficult to master spoken English than written English. Yet it is important that they do acquire a skill in spoken English so that they can engage in fluent communication. This, ultimately, is the goal of learning a language This book is intended to aid the acquisition of such a skill and the achieving of such a goal. It presents a series of 30 passages that each deal with a situation which is commonly found in the course of everyday life. For example, the passage may be about shopping or going out for a meal, visiting the doctor, making telephone calls, making appointments, saying thank you, paying compliments, issuing invitations, expressing intentions, stating likes and dislikes, and so on. Each of the passages contains the expressions, printed in bold type, which are most commonly associated with the particular situation and which learners need to know in order to be able to cope with the situation, The passages have all been specially written and are both lively and realistic. Immediately following each passage is an explanation section. This section defines or explains each of the expressions given in bold type in the passage. It also gives two example sentences, printed in italic type, to give students more usage guidance. Where relevant, further language help has been given. This additional help might, for example, take the form of another expression which is used in a similar way or take the form of an equivalent American English expression. Asset of exercises, with accompanying answers, has also been included in the book so that students can test their comprehension of the key expressions and their explanations.Pam had a few telephone calls to make one morning. First of all, she dialled her lawyer's number and the receptionist replied, saying, ‘Good morning. Miller and Clark Solicitors. How may | help you?’ Pam said, ‘Good morning. I'd like to speak to Mr Clark, please. I's Mrs Jenkins speaking’ ‘VIl put you through, said the receptionist, but a few minutes later she said, I’m sorry, Mr Clark is not available just now. He's in a meeting. Can I take a message” ‘No, thank you. I need to speak to him personally. 'l call back, said Pam. When will he be free?” ‘I really can’t say, Mrs Jenkins,’ said the receptionist. ‘I know that he has meetings with dients all morning’ ‘Vil ring back just after lunch and hope to be able to speak to him then, said Pam. “Very well, Mrs Jenkins, said the receptionist, ‘Goodbye’ Next, Pam tried ringing her accountant “4f you'll hold on, Mrs Jenkins, Ill see if Ms Scott is free, said the receptionist. After a short pause, she said, ‘No, I'm sorry, Ms Scott is away from her desk at the moment. Can I take a message or perhaps Ms Scott could call you back?” ‘Yes, please ask her to call me back as soon as possible, said Pam. ‘Ill be in my office all afternoon. Thank you’ Pam's next call was to a department store. ‘Hello,’ she said. ‘Could I speak to someone in customer services, please?” ‘Im sorry, the line is engaged just now, I'm afraid I'l have to put you on hold, said the telephonist. After what seemed like a long time Pam gave up and replaced the receiver. Then Pam called her mother. ‘668 2503’ was the reply.‘Hello, Mum, said Pam. ‘I'm just ringing to say that Il be home late tonight and so don't bother to cook dinner. Ill see you tonight’ Pam's last call was to her friend Amy, but she got a message from her answering machine. “This is Amy speaking I'm sorry 'm not available to take your call right nowy, but if you leave a message and your name and number after the tone I'll get back to youas soon as possible’ Pam said, ‘Hi, Amy, It's Pam here. I'm just ringing to confirm lunch on Tuesday. Look forward to seeing you’ call call (someone) back You call (someone) back when you have been out or unavailable when they have called you and you are phoning them, perhaps to find out what they wanted: * James is in a meeting just now. He says that he'll call you back this afternoon. © I'min the middle of a meeting just now. I'l call you back as soon as | can You can use get back to (someone) in the same way, although it is slightly more informal: * Your husband's in a meeting just now. He'll get back to you as soon as it finishes. * I don’t know if I'm free for lunch on Friday. I'll check my diary and get back to you right away. Vl call back You say I'll eall back when you are going to phone someone later, often because you have been unable to speak to the person or have been unable to get the information you want. You use I'll ring back in the same way: * ‘Mrs Blair is in a meeting just now, I'm afraid.” ‘Thank you. Vl call back.’ * ‘It will be tomorrow before we have the results of your blood tests.’ ‘Thank you. W'll ring back.’ engage the line is engaged You say the line is engaged when someone else is already using the telephone line that someone wants to use. You can also use the line is busy in the same way: * I'm sorry | can’t put you through to Mr Brown just now. The line is engaged. * The line is busy. Would you like to hold or call back later? goodbye You say goodbye at the end of a telephone call: * {I'll certainly give your message to Mr Smith. Goodbye. * I must go now. Goodbye!Ifit is an informal call you might say bye or bye-bye instead of goodbye as these are both informal forms of goodbye: * It's been good chatting to you again, but | really must go. Bye! * Have a nice tenth birthday, Lucy. Bye-bye! good morning/good afternoon You say good morning or good afternoon depending on the time of day, instead of hello, when you are answering a formal business call, usually when you are working for a firm. It is common also to give the name of the firm and sometimes the nature of their business: * Good morning. Jones and Blair. * Good afternoon. Learners Publishing. hello You say hello when you answer the phone. You can use it on its own or you can say hello! .. speaking. Some people simply say their telephone number when answering the phone. You also say hello to the person who answers the phone when you are making a phone call: © ‘Hello!’ ‘Hello! Could | speak to Mary, please?” * ‘Hello! Anne Black speaking.’ ‘Hello, Anne! it's Jean.’ © 8447 6391." ‘Hello, Dad. It’s Mike.’ In more formal business calls it is more common to say good morning or good afternoon, depending on the time of day. help how may I help you? You use how may | help you? in a formal context, usually when you are answering business calls when you are working fora firm: * Good morning! Wilson and Jones. How may I help you? * Good afternoon! Jackson and White, dental surgeons. How may | help you? here it’s ... here You say it’s ... here when you are telling someone at the other end of a phone line who you are’ * Hello! It’s Jack here. * Hello! It’s the deputy manager here. You can also use it's ... speaking or this is ... speaking in the same way: * Hello! It’s Jane speaking. * Hello! This is Lucy speaking. You can omit the it’s or the this is from the above expressioi * Hello! Mr Martin here. * Hello! Lucy speaking. message can | take a message? You use can I take a message? when you answer the phone to someone who wishes to speak to someone who is not there or who is not free to take the call. You can also say can I give a message to ...?: * I'm sorry. Mr Smith is on holiday this week. Can | take a message? * I'm sorry. John won't be in the office till tomorrow. Can I give him a message?sorry I'm sorry You say I’m sorry when you are telling someone that they cannot speak to the person whom they have asked for on the phone, usually because the person is not there or is not free to take the call: * I'm sorry. Mr Smith is not in the office today. * I'm sorry. Mrs Jones is with a client just now. speak could I speak to ...? You say could I speak to ...? when you make a phone call to someone and someone else answers the phone. You can also use I'd like to speak to ... in the same way: * Could I speak to Lucy, please? * I'd like to speak to the managing editor, please. Language Help The expression may I speak to ...? is used in the same way but it is slightly more formal. It is also possible to use just the person's name: * May | speak to the managing director, please? + John Smith, please. through I'll put you through You say I'll put you through when you are trying to connect someone making a call with the person whom they want to speak to. This is most commonly used by those employed to operate a switchboard: © Mr Jones seems to be free now. I'll put you through. * MrJackson is on holiday this week. I'll put you through to his secretary.Answer the follo 9 questions. EQ Write down a more formal way of saying each expression and use it ina sentence. 1 Could | speak to ...? 2 Bye! [Ef Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 Good morning! Wilson and Jackson. How may! _________—: you? 2. Miss Brown has just finished her other call. Vl you through. 3 Mr Wilson is away at a conference today. Can | take? What expression do you use in each of these situations? 1 The person you want to speak to is not available and you intend to phone him or her again later. 2 You are about to tell the person on the phone that the person he or she wants to speak to is not there or cannot come to the phone. 3 You answer a formal business call and it's after midday. EB Give another form of the line is engaged.Jill and Bob had been having a large informal dinner party for several of their friends. Everyone had enjoyed the evening very much, but it was getting rather late and people were starting to think about going home. Sara was the first to go. ‘Sorry to break up the party, but I've really got to go and get some sleep. I've got to catch the early train to work tomorrow morning, Thanks for a lovely evening, Jill and Bob! Goodbye, everybody! Bill and Anne got up just as Sara was going out of the door. Anne said to their hosts, “Thank you for a wonderful evening, but I'm afraid it's time for us to go as well. My mum's looking after the children and she likes to go to bed reasonably early’ Then she and Bill called, ‘Bye, everyone!’ Mary then got to her feet, saying, ‘I must go, too. | need to be up early to finish some work. Thanks for a very pleasant evening. Bye-bye, all! Ill see you soon, ‘Wait a minute, Mary,’ said Frank, ‘Ill come with you. We can walk home together’ Turning to Jill and Bob, he said, ‘I's been a great evening. Thanks a lot! Then he went off with Mary, saying to the remaining guests, ‘See you!’ By this time Jane had stood up and was saying to Jill and Bob, ‘I must go if I'm going to get the last bus. Thanks a lot! I've had a really nice time’ Then she waved goodbye to the rest, saying, ‘Cheerio, alll Sue and Jack had a babysitter looking after their children and so they had to leave also. ‘Bye, alll said Sue after she had thanked their hosts. ‘See you later, everybody!’ said Jack. Joe left at the same time as them. ‘So long! he said. ‘Thanks a lot!’ That left only Lucy and Mike. They had another cup of coffee and chatted for some time with Jill and Bob before Lucy said, ‘It’s getting late. We should call for a taxi’ When the taxi arrived Lucy and Mike thanked their hosts and left, saying, ‘Good night! You must come to dinner with us soon. ‘See you soon! called Lucy, while Mike called, ‘Good night!’bye You use bye as an informal form of goodbye, usually to people whom you know well: © Bye, Mum! I'm just off to work. * Bye, kids! Be good! Bye-bye is used in the same way as bye, although it is less common * Bye-bye! Have a good time at the beach! * Bye-bye! I'll see you soon. cheerio You use cheerio as a common informal alternative to goodbye in British English. You can use cheers in the same way, although this is less common, even more informal and mostly used by young people: * Here's my bus. Cheerio! * Cheerio! Drive carefully! * I'll have to go now or | won't be home before 11 o'clock and my dad will be furious. Cheers! go I must go You say | must go when you are about to leave somewhere or someone: * I've enjoyed meeting you again very much, but I really must go. * It’s been a wonderful party, but | must go now. goodbye You say goodbye when you leave someone or when they leave you. You can be going away for a short time, a long time or forever: * Goodbye! Enjoy your yearin Australia! * Goodbye! See you tomorrow! * Goodbye! | don’t suppose we will meet again. The expression farewell is no longer commonly used as a greeting, being much more formal than goodbye and rather literary. Farewell is, however, still used in such contexts as a farewell party. You also say goodbye at the end of a telephone call. good night You say good night sometimes instead of goodbye when it is late in the evening and you are leaving someone or leaving a social gathering. You also say it to someone when they are going to bed: * Thanks fora very enjoyable evening. Good night! * Good night! It was a wonderful party! * Are you offto bed? Good night! Sleep well! late it’s getting late You use it’s getting late at some kind of occasion held in the evening when you are thinking of leaving * It’s getting late. We'd better be off soon. © It’s getting late. We really have to go. later see you later You use see you later as an informal way of saying goodbye, usually to someone whom you meet quite often and are likely to see again quite soon. However, the expression isalso commonly used by people in shops, such as hairdressers, when the person using it might never see the other person agi * I must go home now, Mary. Dinner will be ready soon. See you later! * Thank you, Mrs Smith. | hope you like your new hairstyle. See you later! long so long You can use so long instead of goodbye in informal contexts, but it is much less common than bye, bye-bye or cheerio and has become rather dated: * ‘So long, children!’ said Uncle Ben as he boarded the ship. ‘I'll see you some time next year.’ * So long! We may see you next summer! see see you You use see you as an informal way of saying goodbye, usually to someone whom you meet quite often and are likely to see again quite soon: * I'm going home now, Tom. See you! + I must run to catch the bus. See you! soon see you soon You use see you soon as an informal way of saying goodbye, usually to someone whom you meet quite often and are likely to see again quite soon: * That was a lovely evening. See you soon! * Thanks for lunch. See you soon! sorry sorry to break up the party You use sorry to break up the party when you are the first to leave a social gathering of some kind: * Sorry to break up the party, but we promised our babysitter we'd be home before midnight. * Sorry to break up the party, but | have to. catch the 11 o'clock bus. time it’s time for us to go You use it’s time for us to go at some kind of occasion held in the evening when you are about to go: * It’s after midnight. It’s time for us to go. * It’s time for us to go. We both have to work in the morning.Answer the following questions. EW Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 I didn’t realize it was so late. It’s time for me to 2 Sorry to______ up the party. 3 |_—______ go or I'll miss the last bus. 4 So____! Have a safe journey. 5 It’s getting _______. We should go home. 8 | You say good night to someone when they are going to bed. In what other situation would you use it? Write down two informal expressions meaning goodbye which you would be most likely to use to someone whom you know quite well and see quite often. Eh Write down a common informal expression in British English which means goodbye.Meg worked in the publicity department at one of the branch offices of Safe and Secure, a large insurance company. She was on her way to spend two weeks in the head office in the city to do some extra training. When Meg arrived at the head office she went to the reception desk and said, ‘Good morning. My name is Meg Wilson. I'm from the Blackford branch of the firm and I'm here to do some training, Mr Black is expecting me’ Mr Black was head of publicity. ‘Good morning, Meg” said the receptionist. ‘Il just let Mr Black know you're here.” After a few minutes a young woman came to the reception, saying, ‘Good morning! You must be Meg Wilson. 'm Sara Smith and I'm Mr Black's secretary. Welcome to head office” “Thank yout’ said Meg, ‘'m really looking forward to working here’ Sara led Meg upstairs to Mr Black's office. ‘Mr Black, this is Meg Wilson from our Blackford office, she said. ‘How do you do, Meg” said Mr Black, shaking hands with her. ‘I hope you will enjoy your visit to head office’ ‘How do you do, Mr Black?’ replied Meg, ‘'m sure I will’ ‘Well start by getting Sara to introduce you to some of the other people you'll be working with, said Mr Black. First Meg met some members of the publicity department who were together having a planning meeting. ‘Good morning, everyone’ said Sara. Vd like to introduce Meg Wilson. She's from the Blackford office and she's going to be working with us for a couple of weeks. | think Mr Black told you about her: Jim, who was Mr Black's senior assistant, got up and shook hands with Meg. ‘Hello, Meg! Pleased to meet you! | hope you enjoy your time here!” ‘Hi, Meg" said Mike. Nice to meet you!”‘Hi, Megt’ said Mary. ‘Good to meet you. Let me know if | can do anything to help! By the time she had met all of the publicity department Meg felt very confused. ‘Ill never remember any of their names, she said. They decided to take a break and Sara went off to make some coffee before continuing with the introductions. how how do you do? You say how do you do? as a formal way of responding when you are introduced to someone: * ‘Mr Brown, I'd like to introduce you to Miss Jones, who's to be in charge of publicity.’ ‘How do you do, Miss Jones?’ ‘How do you do, Mr Brown?’ Please note that you do not reply to the question how do you do? It is simply a conventional greeting requiring no answer and should not be treated like such expressions as how are you? You use I'm ... orl am ... when you are telling someone or some people who you are, often adding some other information, such as what you do: * Hello, everyone! I'm Meg. I’ve just moved here from Barchester. * Good morning, children! | am Miss Brown and | am going to be your teacher for this term. Lengage Bly You also use my name is ... in the same way: * My name is Jack. I'm the new hotel porter. # My name is Frank Brown. I'm here to help you with the garden, introduce I'd like to introduce ... You use I'd like to introduce ... in a fairly formal context when people are meeting each other forthe first time and you are saying what the name of one of them is: + Father, I'd like to introduce you to George Burns. He is my new business partner. * MrJackson, I'd like to introduce you to the new department secretary, Miss Lee. You can also say may I introduce ..., let me introduce ... and allow me to introduce the same rather formal way: * Grandfather, may I introduce you to Jim Wilson, who is one of my fellow teachers. + Mr Wilson, let me introduce Mrs Smith, who is our new biology teacher. 11pleased pleased to meet you You use pleased to meet you as a rather informal conventional response to being introduced to someone. Formerly, the expression was considered not very acceptable, and even rather vulgar, but social manners have changed and it is now considered quite acceptable. It is much less formal than how do you do?. There are various alternative forms of this ‘expression including good to meet you and nice to meet you: * ‘This is Jean Smith, our new flatmate.’ ‘Nice to meet you, Jean!’ * ‘This is John Black, everyone. He is one of our new salesmen." ‘Good to meet you!’ 12 You use this is ... asa less formal way of saying I'd like to introduce ... with the same meaning: * Jane, this is James, my friend from university. * Peter, this is Lucy. She's staying with me for a few days Sometimes people use meet ... as an informal introduction instead of this is ...: * Jack, meet Lucy. Also, some people simply use the names of the two people being introduced: + Meg, Bob. Bob, Meg.Answer the following questions. In what situation would you be likely to say, ‘Bill, Tom. Tom, Bill’? El vou say I'm ... when you introduce yourself. What might you say instead? Write down a formal way of responding to being introduced to someone and show how the expression is used. Bl write down two rather formal equivalents of this is ... which you may use when you are introducing someone. G You can say pleased to meet you as a rather informal conventional response when you are introduced to someone. Write down two other expressions that you might use in similar circumstances and use one of them in a sentence. Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 ‘Mr Wilson, this is Liz Brown, our new receptionist.’ 1 do you do, Miss Brown?” 2. Mrs White, I'd like to______ our new neighbour. She’s just moved in. 3 Jane, — _— Bob. He's just come to live in the area.When Sara came home from work, she found her mother in an agitated state. ‘What's wrong, Mun’ asked Sara. ‘You seem upset’ ‘Its Jill. She's not home yet—and she should have been here an hour ago’ Jill was Sara's younger sister. ‘Don't worry, Mum! It’s not all that late and she’s probably not realized what time it is. I'm sure she'll be here soon. I'll make you some tea.’ Just then Sara's brother Peter came into the kitchen, saying, What's up? Mums on the phone and she looks as though she's been crying, ‘It’s Jill Sara replied. ‘She should have been home by now and Mum's gettinganxious.’ Peter went to find his mother, saying, ‘Try not to worry, Mum! Shell be with her friends. You know what teenage girls are like. 'm sure she’s all right’ ‘Ican‘t help but be concerned. I've just rung Lucy's mother and Lucy said that Jill left her outside the cinema ages ago to get the bus home’ ‘Well, the bus service isn’t very frequent in the evenings—and it's not very reliable, said Peter. Perhaps she missed one and is waiting for another. Have you tried phoning her on her mobile” “Yes, but there's no reply,’ said his mother. ‘That has made me even more worried’ ‘Calm down, Mum! You'll make yourseff ill. Perhaps she switched it off in the cinema and forgot to switch it back on again. Or it may need to be charged’ Then Jill's father arrived home. What's the matter, love?’ he said to his wife. ‘You look terrible.’ ‘I think that something must have happened to Jill/ she replied. ‘She's not home yet. What are we going to do? Do you think we should call the police?” ‘Its too soon to do that! said her husband. Don't panic! Jill's probably perfectly all right’ Just then they heard the front door open. It was Jill, and she had a simple explanation. The bus had broken down and she couldn't phone because her mobile needed to be charged.‘I thought the safest thing to do was to just sit in the bus and wait for the replacement ‘one to turn up. | didn’t mean to worry you, Mum! But she had! all right I'm sure she’s, he’s, everything's, etc, all right You use expressions like this to comfort someone when they are worried that something bad or unpleasant may happen or has happened, even though you do not yet know whether anything has happened or not: * Try not to be so anxious. I’m sure everything's all right. * Most probably your son has gone to play ata friend's house. I'm sure he’s all right. I'm sure she’s, he’s, everything's, etc, OK is another expression that is used in similar circumstances: * Don’t worry, Jane. I'm sure your daughter's OK. She's probably gone to see a friend. anxious You say that someone is anxious when they are worried that something bad or unpleasant may happen or has happened: ‘Bill seems very anxious.’ ‘He's waiting for his exam results and he thinks he did badly in his English exam.’ * The Smith familys cat has gone missing and their little girl is very anxious about it. calm calm down! You say calm down! to someone to try to get them to be less upset, angry or excited and so be able to think clearly and act sensibly: * Calm down, Sue! | know there's been an accident on the motorway and your husband's driving home just now, but there are hundreds of people driving on the motonway. * Calm down, Dad! The damage to your car is very slight. concerned You say that someone is concerned when they are worried: * Meg's concerned because her son hasn‘t been in touch for some time. He's working as an aid worker in Africa and she can’t contact him. * Jim’ very concerned about his wife’ health. She hasn't been well for some time. Concerned can also mean involved or interested in something: * Meg used to be a member of the tennis club but she’s no longer concerned with it. * Frank's father used to be concerned with the Scout movement.16 happen something must have happened You say something must have happened when you are worried in case something bad, such as an accident, has happened: * Jill would never forget that we were having lunch together. Something must have happened. * The children should have been home an hour ago. I'm worried. Something must have happened. matter what's the matter? You use what's the matter? in the same way that you use what's wrong?: * What's the matter, Jane? Are you worried about something? ° What's the matter, Mike? You look ill. You use what's the matter with ...?in the same way that you use what's wrong with ...? * What's the matter with Sue this morning? She looks miserable. * What's the matter with John? He seems very tense, Language felp You can also use what’s the matter with +2 to ask what the problem is with something, or why it is not working, in the same way that you can use what's wrong with .. * What's the matter with the phone? | can't get a dialling tone. + What's the matter with the oven? These cakes aren't ready yet and they've been in for ages. If you say something is the matter or something is the matter with ... you mean that someone is unhappy or worried or that something is causing a problem or is not working: * Something is the matter. All the children look frightened. * I'm sure that something is the matter. Jim isn’t answering his phone. * Something is the matter with Mary. She looks very pale. panic don’t panic! You use don’t panic! to someone when they are very upset or anxious to try to get them to think clearly or behave sensibly: * Don’t panic! The water's coming from your washing machine. Go and switch off the water! * Don’t panic! Your little girl's injury is very minor. up what's up? You use what's up? in the same way that you use what's wrong? except that it is more informal * What's up, Lucy? Why are you crying? © What's up, Jack? Are you worried about something? You use what's up with ...? in the same way that you use what's wrong with ...? except that it is more informal: * | What's up with Frank? He looks ill, * What's up with Anne? She ran from the room weeping. Language Helo You can also use what's up with ...? to ask what the problem is with something or why it is not working in the same way that you can use what’s wrong with ...?: * What's up with the washing machine? * What's up with the bus service today?If you say something is up or something is up with ... you mean that someone is unhappy or worried or that something is causing a problem or is not working. The expression is used in informal contexts: * | knew something was up. Jim has not looked well for some time and now we've heard that he has to have heart surgery. * The managers are having a meeting. | think something's up. * Something is up with Anne. She looks as if she’s in pain. upset Someone is upset if they are unhappy because something bad or unpleasant has happened: * Anna's upset because her dog died in a car accident. * Jean's very upset because her holiday's been cancelled. worry don’t worry! You say don’t worry! to someone to try to make them less worried or anxious. It is often used by people who do not yet know whether there is anything to be worried about or not They just want to comfort the person who is worried, You use the expression try not to worry! in the same way: * Don’t worry, Sue! I'm sure your dog will soon come back. * Don’t worry, Jim! Mary may well not have been on the train which crashed. * Try not to worry, Mum! Dad often forgets toring when he’s going to be late. I’m sure he'll be all right. + Try not to worry! The floodwater may be rising, but your house is built on a hill Language Help You can also use don’t worry! to say that something's not important or doesn't matter: * ‘forgot to bring your book back.’ ‘Don’t worry! | don’t need it today.’ * ‘I'm sorry | spilt coffee on your newspaper.’ ‘Don't worry! | had finished with the oper, anyhow.’ wrong what's wrong? You use what's wrong? to find out why someone is unhappy, worried, ill, ete: * What's wrong, Meg? You look as though you've been crying. * What's wrong, Jim? You seem very anxious. You say what’s wrong with ...? when you are asking someone else why someone is unhappy, worried, ill, etc. © What's wrong with Sue? She looks very pale. * What's wrong with Frank? He seems miserable. Language flely You can also use what's wrong? or what's wrong with ...? to ask what the problem is with something or why it is not working: * What's wrong with the car? * What's wrong with the computer system today? Language Help Ifyou say something is wrong or something is wrong with ... you mean that someone is. unhappy or worried or that something is causing a problem or is not working: * Something is wrong. Sue is weeping in the kitchen. ‘+ Something is wrong. The car is making a banging noise. ‘* Something is wrong with the water system. 7Answer the following questions. What other expressions in the passage mean the same as what's wrong? Ei You can use don’t worry! to indicate that you think that something is not important. In what other situation might you use it? Give two words from the passage which have a similar meaning to worried and use one of them in a sentence. By How does someone feel if he or she is upset? Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 _______ panic! Get some water and throw it on the fire before it reaches the house. 2 I'm worried in case ______ has happened. Bill didn’t come home last night. 3. Sue’s a sensible girl and she has money for a taxi. I'm sure she’s allJack had decided to go to work early. He had been on holiday and had a lot of paperwork to deal with. For a start, there were several marketing reports that he would have to read. By going in so early he thought that he could work without being disturbed for a while. He was wrong! He had just started to read the first report when Ben knocked at his office door. ‘Sorry to disturb you, Jack. | wonder if | could have a copy of last month’s sales figures.” ‘That's all right, Ben! said Jack politely. ‘Here it is’ He had once more started to read the marketing report when Bill appeared at his door. ‘Sorry for interrupting, Jack’ said Bill. ‘Could I borrow your copy of the agenda for tomorrow's marketing meeting? | can‘t find mine’ ‘Thanks and sorry again, Jack’ said Bill as Jack gave him the copy of the agenda. ‘No problem, Bill, but | have to get on with these reports’ Jack had got halfway through the first marketing report when Lucy arrived wanting to borrow a book. ‘Excuse me for interrupting, Jack, but | need to look something up urgently.” ‘No need to apologize, Lucy, but | have to read all these reports by tomorrow's meeting’ So far Jack had been polite to his colleagues but he was beginning to get a bit annoyed at all the interruptions and he was worried about the amount of work he had to do. He had just got back to the report when Jane knocked at the door and came in, saying “Forgive me for disturbing you, Jack. 'm collecting for Mary's wedding present from the staff” ‘Jane! said Jack angrily. ‘Can‘t you see I'm trying to work? Just at the moment | don’t care about Mary's wedding present. I'l give you something later’ Jane quickly left the room, looking upset. Jack, who was usually a very polite, kind person, felt bad about losing his temper and went after her. ‘Jane, | apologize for snapping at you. | shouldn't have done it’ 1920 ‘It doesn’t matter, Jack’ she said, I shouldn't have interrupted you when you were busy’ Please accept my apologies, anyway, said Jack and returned to his office, hoping for no more interruptions. all right that’s all right You say that's all right in reply to an apology to show that the action or situation that caused the apology was not important: * ‘I'm sorry | damaged your bike, Jack.’ ‘That's all right, Mike! The damage isn’t serious. I'll be able to repair it myself.’ * ‘I'm sorry | can’t look after the children for you this evening." ‘That's all right, Lucy! We didn’t give you very much notice, and, in any case, my mother has offered to look after them.’ apology my apologies! You say my apologies! when you wish to apologize to someone for something bad, unpleasant, inconvenient, etc, that you have done: * My apologies! | took your coat by mistake. Here it is. © My apologies! | didn’t realize that this was your seat. Please sit down! | apologize and please accept my apologies have the same meaning as my apologies! but they are slightly more formal: * "You nearly knocked me off my bike,’ ‘I apologize. | couldn't see because of the parked cars.’ * ‘That is my coat.’ ‘Please accept my apologies. | took it from the cloakroom by mistake.’ apologize no need to apologize You say no need to apologize when someone has apologized for doing something, or fornot doing something, but you think that, in the circumstances, they do not have to apologize: * ‘I'm sorry | forgot to bring back your lawnmower.’ ‘No need to apologize. | won't be using it till next week.” * ‘Forgive me for interrupting the meeting, but you forgot to take some of the papers you might need for it.’ ‘No need to apologize, Sara. You're quite right. | should have taken these with me." excuse excuse me You use excuse me when you apologize to someone for doing something, usually something minor, that may be inconvenient or may seem rather rude: * Excuse me! | didn’t realize you had guests. | just wanted to give you this book.* Sara sneezed two or three times and said, ‘Excuse me! | think I'm getting a cold.’ * Excuse me for arriving at an inconvenient time, but we really have to discuss these business plans right away. * Please excuse me for missing the first part of the meeting. The bus was very late. Language Helo You also use excuse me to attract someone's attention: * We need some more bread. I'l call the waiter. Excuse me! * Excuse me! You've dropped a glove. Language Hele You also use excuse me to tell someone politely that you are going to have to leave them: + Excuse me! That's the taxi ordered. | really have to go now. * Excuse me! | must go and answer the phone. Language Help Especially in American English, excuse me is also used when politely asking someone to repeat somethin * ‘Could you pass me the salt, please?” ‘Excuse me!’ ‘Could you pass me the salt, please?” * ‘Can you show me the way to the station?’ ‘Excuse me!’ ‘Can you give me directions to the station?” forgive forgive me You can use forgive me when you apologize to someone for doing something, usually something minor, that may be inconvenient or may seem rather rude. In this context the expression is used in much the same way as ‘excuse me, but it is slightly more formal: + Forgive me! | didn’t realize that you were in the middle of a meeting. * Forgive me for coming in the middle of your meeting, but there’s a call from your wife and she says it’s urgent. * Forgive the unexpected visit, but | was visiting a friend in the neighbourhood and I remembered that you had just moved here. Language Help You use forgive more commonly to mean to stop feeling angry with someone for having done something to hurt you or upset you: * Bob will never forgive Jim. He told the boss a lie about Bob and Bob got the sack. * Sara's husband treated her very badly on ‘several occasions, but she always forgave him. matter it doesn't matter You use it doesn’t matter in reply to an apology to show that the action or situation that caused the apology was not important: ‘I'm sorry that | won't be able to help you move house.‘ ‘It doesn’t matter, thanks, Bill. My brother and his friends are going to help.’ + ‘'msony for interrupting you when you had guests.’ ‘It doesn't matter. My brother and his family were on their way to visit my mother and just stopped for a cup of tea.’ problem no problem You say no problem in reply to an apology, often in connection with something minor: * ‘I'm sorry to come round without phoning first.” ‘No problem, Jill! You're welcome.’ 21* ‘My apologies for arriving at the party so late.’ ‘No problem, Mike! | know you were working late and some of the other guests have just arrived.” You can also use no problem as an informal reply when somebody thanks you for something: * ‘Thanks for giving me a lift to the station.’ ‘No problem! | was going into the city centre, anyway.’ You can also use no problem to show that you can or will do something somebody has asked you to do: * ‘Could you fix this gate for me?” ‘No problem! It probably just needs some oil.” sorry You use sorry in various constructions when you apologize to someone for something bad, unpleasant, inconvenient, etc, that you have done: ‘© Sorry! didn’t mean to wake you up! I didn’t realize you were still asleep. * Sorry for waking you. | didn’t realize you were still asleep. * Sorry to wake you, but there's an urgent phone call from the States for you. «Sorry about the disturbance this morning. I didn’t realize you were still asleep. ‘+ I'm sorry that | woke you this morning, but I didn’t realize that you were still asleep. You also use sorry to show that you feel sadness or sympathy for someone when something bad or unpleasant has happened to them: * Iwas sorry to hear that your mother is ill. * Tom told me that your father was injured in the train crash. I'm so sorry.Answer the following questions. [EW insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 Sorry interrupting you in the middle of your speech, but your husband has an urgent message for you. 2 Sorry __ interfere, but | don’t think the accident was the child's fault. 3° Sorry _______ the quality of the food here. Apparently, their chef's just walked out. 4 ‘I'm sorry for missing the committee meeting.’ ‘No ____ to apologize. It wasn’t an important meeting and | know that you had a doctor's appointment.’ 5. ‘My apologies for arriving so late.’ ‘No ! There are still plenty of people at the party.’ 6 me! Could you bring us the bill, please? [El write down an expression which has the same meaning, and is used in much the same way as it doesn’t matter in an informal context. Use the expression in a sentence. Excuse me! is more commonly used in American English than in British English in a particular situation. What is this situation? You can use forgive me to apologize to someone. In what other situation do you use the word forgive? Write a sentence using forgive in this way.24 in Jill had to do some shopping to stock up her larder. “'m just going to the local shops to get a few things’ said Jill to her friend Meg. ‘Would you like to join me?” Meg said ‘yes’ and off they went They went to the baker's first. ‘What would you like today, Mrs Smart?’ asked the baker. ‘Vd like half a dozen rolls, please, said Jill ‘and one of these brown loaves. Those cakes look rather nice. (1 have four of those also, please’ ‘Anything else, Mrs Smart?’ asked the baker, ‘No, thanks,’ Jill replied. That's all, thank you. How much do | owe you?’ ‘That comes to $12.60, replied the baker. The two friends went off to the butcher's, where there was a small queue. When it was their turn to be served the butcher said, ‘Good morning, Mrs Smart. What can | do for you today?’ ‘Iwant a nice piece of lamb for roasting, please,’ said Jill. ‘How much is that piece there?’ ‘Itweighs 2 kilos and it’s $29/ said the butcher. ‘Lamb’s quite expensive, just now.’ ‘No, that’s too much/ said Jill. Ill take that smaller piece over there.’ The butcher weighed the piece of meat. That'll be $24.50, he said. Jill put a fifty-dollar note on the counter. “There you are, Mrs Smart’ said the butcher. ‘$25.50 change. Next, please!” Jill and Meg left the butcher to serve his other customers and went to the greengrocer's. ‘What can I get you today, Mrs Smart” said the greengrocer. ‘Akilo of spinach, please,’ said Jill, ‘and do you have any garden peas” ‘Sorry,’ said the greengrocer. ‘Not today, I'm afraid.’ ‘Never mind. Give me half a kilo of green beans, instead, please, replied Jill ‘and some oranges’‘How many oranges would you like?’ asked the greengrocer. ‘A dozen, please, and that's it for today, thank you; replied Jill ‘I make that $10 exactly,’ said the greengrocer, Jill paid him and he put the money in the til. Jill and Meg then went to put the shopping in the car, all that’s all, thank you You say that's all, thank you, often to a shopkeeper, sales assistant or waiter, when you do not want to buy anything else: * ‘Can get you anything else?” ‘No, that’s all, thank you.’ * ‘We have some nice fresh fish today. Would you like some?’ ‘No, that’s all, thank you.’ be that'll be ... You say that'll be ... when you are telling someone the total amount of money which they owe you: * A dozen oranges and two pounds of grapes. That'll be $15, please. * You've got two brown loaves and three cream cakes. That'll be $13, please. omar You use that comes to ... (see below) in the same way. come that comes to... You say that comes to ... when you are telling someone the total amount of money which they owe you: * The flour costs $5.00, the nuts $4.00 and the orange juice $4.00. That comes to $13.00. * Two tins of tomatoes, a bottle of olive oil and a jar of red peppers. That comes to $12.00. do what can I do for you? You say what can I do for you? when you are asking someone what they want, usually when you are a shopkeeper or a sales assistant, and often in quite an informal context: * Good morning, Mrs Wilson, what can | do for you? We have some of your favourite bread in today. * Hello, Peter, what can | do for you? Have you come to collect your computing magazine? else anything else? You say anything else? when you are asking someone if they want to buy something else. It is short for would you like anything else?: 2526 * That's two kilos of mince and a pound of bacon. Anything else, Mrs Jones? * That's apples, grapes and pineapple. Anything else, today, Mr Smart? Language Help You can also use will there be anything else? in the same way. get what can | get you? You say what can I get you? when you are asking someone what they want, often when you are a shopkeeper, a sales assistant or a waiter: * ‘What can I get you today, Mrs Jackson?’ ‘That salmon looks good. I'll have two salmon steaks, thank you.’ ‘* ‘What can I get you today, Sara? We have red and white wine, beer and orange juice.’ ‘Ill have a glass of white wine, thank you, Ben.’ give give me You say give me, often followed by please, when you are asking someone, usually a shopkeeper or sales assistant, for something that you want: * Those plums look juicy. Give me a kilo of them, please. * I need some potatoes. Give me a kilo of the large ones. Language Help You use I'l have (see below) in the same way. have Vl have You say I'll have, often followed by please, when you are asking someone, usually a shopkeeper or sales assistant, for something that you want: * I'll have two slices of that chocolate cake, please. It looks delicious! * I'm looking for some meat for a barbecue. I'l have four of those steaks and a kilo of pork sausages, please. Language Help You use give me (see above)in the same way. it that’s it for today, thank you This is another quite informal way of saying that's all, thank you and you use it, often to a shopkeeper or sales assistant, when you do not want to buy anything else: * ‘Here is your newspaper, Mr Jones. Would you like anything else?” ‘No, that's it for today, thank you! I'll take this bar of chocolate and a box of matches and that's it for today, thank you! like Vd like You use I'd like, often followed by please, when you are asking someone, often a shopkeeper, sales assistant, or waiter, for something that you want: * ‘Can | get you something to drink while you're looking at the menu?’ “Yes, I'd like a gin and tonic, please.’ © ‘What kind of coffee would you like?’ ‘Id like a latte, please.’ what would you like? You say what would you like? when you are asking someone what they want, often when you are a shopkeeper, a sales assistant or a waiter: * Have you had a look at the dessert menu? What would you like?* What would you like, Mrs Wilson? We have some nice juicy cherries in today. make I make that You say | make that when you are telling someone the total amount of money which they owe you: * Letme see. You have a kilo of cherries, four apples and halfa dozen pears. Imake that $16.50. * You had two glasses of white wine and a bottle of sparkling mineral water. | make that $24.00. many how many? You use how many? when you want to know ‘the number of things that someone wants: * How many apples would you like? * How many cakes do you want? Language felp You use how much? in a similar way when you want to know what amount of something someone wants: * How much mince would you like? * How much flour do you need? See also how much ...? below. much how much is/are ...? You use how much is/are ...? when you are asking the price of something: * How much is that doll in the window? * How much are those red apples? next next, please! A shopkeeper, sales assistant, etc, says next, please! when he or she is ready to serve the next person in the queue: © There's your change, Mr Brown. Next, please! * I've put all your shopping in that bag, Mrs Black. Next, please! owe how much do | owe you? You say how much do | owe you? when you ask how much money you need to pay: * Idon‘twant anything else today, thank you. How much do I owe you? * Thank you for repairing my bike so quickly. How much do I owe you? You also use how much is that? in this way: * Idon'tneed anything else today, thank you. How much is that? Language Helo A very informal expression what's the damage? has the same meaning: * We've had four glasses of white wine and two whiskies. What's the damage? sorry A shopkeeper or sales assistant says sorry when he or she does not have what a customer wants: * Sorry, we won't have any fresh flowers in until tomorrow. * Sorry, we don't sell sandwiches any more 2728 Answer the following questions. Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 How ______ apples would you like? 2 |_____ that $15.00 exactly. 3. I don’t want anything else. That's _______ for today, thank you, EE in what situation would a sales assistant be particularly likely to say sorry? Write down an expression from the passage which a sales assistant might use 1 when he/she is ready to serve the next person in the queue. 2 when asking if you want anything more. A Write down two expressions from the passage which a sales assistant would use when telling you how much your shopping costs. Tl write down an expression from the passage which has the same meaning as the informal phrase what's the damage?. You use I'd like or I'll have when you are asking for something in a shop. Write down another expression from the passage which you would use in the same way. Write down an informal expression from the passage which has the same meaning as what can | get for you?Mary had been asked to a party and she wanted to buy a new dress for the occasion. She went with Anne to a local department store to visit the ladies’ fashion department. As they were searching along the rails for something suitable, a sales assistant approached them, saying, ‘Can | help you, madam?” ‘No, thank you, replied Mary. ‘At the moment I'm just having a look’ When Mary found a dress which she really liked, the shop did not seem to have it in her size. She called the sales assistant over and said, ‘Do you have this dress in other sizes? This one is too big, | take a size 12/ The sales assistant replied, I don't think so, madam, but Illjust check’ After a few minutes she returned, saying, ‘I'm sorry, madam. 'm afraid that is the only dress in that style that we have in stock We could order it, if you like, but it will take about a week’ ‘Unfortunately, I need it for tomorrow evening. Ill have another look’ Mary replied. ‘This is very smart, said Anne. What do you think?’ ‘Its very nice’ said Mary. ‘How much is it?” ‘Is $800; replied Anne. ‘It's probably too expensive’ ‘It certainly is, said Mary. I want something far cheaper than that’ ‘What about this one” asked Anne. ‘It's much more reasonably priced’ ‘Vd like to try it on/ said Mary, ‘and I'l try these two on as well, Can you see where the fitting rooms are?” ‘They're over there, but we'd better ask the assistant first! ‘That one didn’t fit very well said Mary to Anne, ‘and | don't think the colour of that one really suits me, but this one is just what I'm looking for’ ‘Ill take this one, please’ she said to the sales assistant. ‘Very well, madam. The cash desk is over here,’ said the sales assistant. Then she asked,30 ‘Do you have a store card?” ‘No, | don't’ said Mary. Id like to pay by Visa’ Then she went home, very pleased with her purchase, expensive it's too expensive You say it’s too expensive when something costs more than you can, or want to, pay for it or when it costs more than you think it’s worth: *° That’ a lovely skirt, but it’s too expensive and I'd hardly ever wear it. * That chocolate cake looks delicious, but it's much too expensive fora children’s tea party. Ill bake one myself. help can I help you? You use can | help you? when you are a sales assistant asking a customer if they need any assistance. It is sometimes followed by madam or sir, although this is formal and less common than it was formerly: * Can | help you? These dresses are all the new season's. * Can I help you, sir? We have more ties over there. Language Help You can also use it's too dear with the same meaning. This expression is slightly more informal: * My mother has stopped going to the opera. She says the tickets are too dear. fit didn’t/doesn’t fit very well You say something didn’t fit very well when it was either too large, too small or the wrong shape for you: * would have bought that dress but it didn’t fit very well. * | must have put on weight. This dress doesn't fit very well now. Language Help You can also use may | help you? in the same way. it it's... You use it’s ... to say how much something costs: * ‘How much does that handbag cost?” ‘It's $1,200." * ‘What's the price of that silver necklace?” ‘It's $600." look I'm just having a look You say I'm just having a look when you do not need any sales help, but are just lookingat what is for sale in the shop to see if there is anything you would like to buy: * I don'tintend buying a dress today. I’m just having a look and Ill come back on Saturday if I find something | like. * ‘Are you going to buy a dress for the wedding today, Jane?” ‘I might do that if | see anything | like, but I'm really just having a look today.’ Language Help You use I'm just looking in the same way: * ‘Can | help you?" ‘No, thanks. I'm just looking.’ much how much is it? You use how much is it? when you are asking the price of something: * | like that coat. How much is it? * That's very smart handbag. How much is it? order we could order it The expression we could order it is used by a shopkeeper or sales assistant to indicate that they do not have a particular item in the shop at that time, but that they could get it for you: * I'm sorry. We do not have that model of fridge in stock, but we could order it for you. * Unfortunately, we do not have that coat in your size, but we could order it for you. pay pay by... You say pay by ... when you are indicating how you intend to pay for goods in a shop: * I'd like to pay by cheque. + Idllike to pay by credit card. size do you have this in other sizes? You say do you have this in other sizes? when you want to know if a shop has a certain item in larger or smaller versions: * | like this suit, but it’s too small. Do you have it in other sizes? © I think this dress would suit me, but it's too big. Do you have it in other sizes? I take a size You say I take a size ... when you are telling someone what size of clothes or shoes fits you. Sizes, both in clothes and shoes, can vary from country to country. * These shoes are too large. I take a size 5. * [need a smaller size. | take a size 10 in dresses. ° stock have in stock You use have in stock when you have something in a shop available for sale: * These are the only three models of dishwasher which we have in stock. * We have those in stock in the summer, but not in winter. store do you have a store card? A store card is a card provided by a particular shop, or chain of shops, to regular customers so that they use it to buy goods and pay for them later: ‘* That comes to $600. Do you have a store card? 3132 * How would you like to pay? De you have a store card? take I'll take this one, please You say I'll take this one, please when you have decided that you want to buy something ina shop: * I couldn't decide which of these sweaters I like best, but I'll take this one, please. I'll take this one, please. The other two sweaters don’t fit very well. try I'd like to try it on You say I'd like to try it on when you want to put on a piece of clothing ina shop to see if it fits or if you like it: * Ido like that blouse. I’d like to try it on, please. * The colours of that skirt are very pretty. 'd like to try it on.Answer the following questions. What expression would you use if you want to put on a dress in a shop to see if it fits or if you like it? Ey write down an expression from the passage which a sales assistant would use when he or she wants to know if a customer needs any assistance or advice. Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 I don’t want to buy anything. I'm just having a =. 2 This skirt doesn’t very well. It's rather tight. 3 That model of fridge is in our catalogue, but we don’t have it in —__ at the moment. By What expression from the passage would you use to a sales assistant 1 when you have decided what you want to buy? 2 when you are telling the sales assistant what size you need? G Write down an expression from the passage which means the same as it's too dear. What expression do you use when you want to know what something costs? aS)34 There was great excitement in the Harrison house. For the first time in five years all the members of the family would be together at home for Christmas. When Christmas Day dawned, Meg, the eldest daughter, was the first to join her mother in the kitchen. ‘Happy Christmas, Mum! she said. ‘It's good to be home’ Then came Jane, the youngest daughter, looking for a cup of coffee and saying, ‘Merry Christmas? Just then the Harrisons’ next-door neighbour, Mr Foster, came round with a Christmas card which had been delivered to the wrong address. ‘I can see you're all busy and so I won't stay, he said. ‘Have a good Christmas! The Harrison family all helped to prepare the Christmas dinner and a magnificent dinner itwas too, with a huge turkey and a delicious Christmas pudding, At the end of it everyone was very full! Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, was Mrs Harrison's birthday. She said that, at her age, she wanted to forget about her birthday but her husband and children were determined to celebrate it Beth took her mother breakfast in bed, saying, ‘Happy birthday, Mum! The rest of her children came into the room and repeated the greeting. Mrs Harrison’s sister, Anna, who lived in America, had left a message overnight on the answering machine. ‘Best wishes on your birthday,’ the message began There was a message also from Mrs Harrison's young goddaughter saying, ‘Many happy returns! Have a great day! Sorry | can't be with you! The family were not really hungry after eating all that food on Christmas Day, but they all went out for dinner to celebrate their mother's birthday. Most of them had to leave the next day and they felt sad. By New Year's Eve there was only Jim left and, as the bells for the new year began to ring, he said, ‘Happy New Year, Mum and Dad’ ‘All the best for 2004, Jim! said his mother. ‘A good new year to you, Jim! said his father.best all the best! You say or write all the best! to someone to show that you hope they will be well, successful, fortunate, etc: * [hearyou’te starting a new job. Alll the best! * Tom told me that you're going to be a father. All the best! Language Help You often use all the best! when you are saying goodbye to someone or ending a letter or email: * All the best! Enjoy your stay in America! © Write soon! All the best! James birthday happy birthday! You say or write happy birthday! to someone on their birthday as a conventional greeting: © Happy birthday! | hope you like your present. © Happy birthday! I'm glad you didn’t guess that we were planning a surprise party. Language Help You also find happy birthday! in commercial greetings cards. You can also use happy birthday in such constructions as: * I wish you happy birthday for tomorrow. The other conventional birthday greeting is many happy returns! (see below). Christmas happy Christmas! You say or write happy Christmas! to someone asa slightly less common alternative conventional greeting to merry Christmas! (sce below). It is used in the same way: * Happy Christmas! We're going to open ‘our presents soon. + Happy Christmas! | hope you get your shopping finished on time. Language flete You also find happy Christmas! on commercial greetings cards where it is sometimes written happy Xmas! have a good Christmas! You use have a good Christmas! as an alternative to happy Christmas! (see above) and merry Christmas! (see below). * Have a good Christmas! I'l see you after New Year. * The office is just closing for the holiday period. Have a good Christmas! merry Christmas! You say or write merry Christmas! as a conventional greeting to someone either on Christmas Day or in the period that includes Christmas Day and the days before it: * Merry Christmas! The turkey is nearly ready and we'll be sitting down to dinner soon. © Merry Christmas! | hope you enjoy the Christmas Eve party. 35,36 You also find merry Christmas! on commercial greetings cards where it is sometimes written merry Xmas! In this context the greeting sometimes takes the form of merry Christmas and a happy New Year (see below). new happy New Year! You say or write happy New Year! as a conventional greeting to someone on New Year's Day (1 January) or the period around it. You can also use a happy New Year!: * The church bells are ringing. It's New Year's Day. Happy New Year! * Happy New Year! Are you happy to be back at work after the holiday? There are commercial greetings cards which just say happy New Year! but New Year cards are much less common than Christmas. cards. It is however quite common to find cards which combine Christmas and New Year greetings. See merry Christmas! (above). a good New Year You can use a good New Year! as a much less common alternative to happy New Year! (see above): * A good New Year! Have you recovered from the New Year Eve's party yet? * Agood New Year! It seems strange to be back at work after the holiday. return many happy returns! You say or write many happy returns! as an alternative conventional birthday greeting to happy birthday! The longer form of the expression many happy returns of the day! is less common. * Many happy returns! | hope you have a lovely birthday. * Many happy returns! I'm sorry | can’t be with you on your birthday. * | hear it's your birthday. Many happy returns of the day! wish best wishes You say or write best wishes to someone to show that you hope they will be well, successful, fortunate, etc, although it is more common in written English: * Tom told me that you celebrate your silver wedding anniversary tomorrow. Best wishes! * Your mother told me that you begin your university course next week. Best wishes! You can also use best wishes to end a letter ‘or email: * Let me have a reply as soon as possible. Best wishes Luey You can also use best wishes in such constructions as: + Please send Tom our best wishes. * Give Lucy our best wishes when you see her.Answer the following questions. Write down a longer form of the expression many happy returns! 5 | Write down a less common alternative of the expression Happy New Year! How is Merry Christmas! sometimes printed on commercial greetings cards? By What expression from the passage do you sometimes use to end a letter or an email? G Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 Jim is sixty tomorrow and I’ve sent him a card saying birthday!. 2 Merry ___! | hope you finish your shopping on time. 3. Anna couldn't come to my graduation party, but she asked her brother to give me her best a 37It was Jane and Bill's wedding day. The wedding service was over and the young couple and their guests were at the reception. Jane and Bill had received many wedding gifts and they were going around thanking people for them. Obviously, they would send out formal letters of thanks later on but the wedding reception provided them with a good opportunity to thank some people personally. ‘Thank you very much for the lovely wine glasses you sent us’ said Jane to her Aunt Liz. They're so beautiful that I'll be afraid to use them in case | break them! ‘Not at all! I'm glad you like them, said Aunt Liz, ‘and | hope you will drink lots of good wine from them’ ‘Thanks a lot for the set of pots and pans, Jean Bill said to his cousin. They'll be very usefull ‘That's all right/ said Jean. 1 hope you'll learn to cook and not leave all the cooking to Jane! ‘Many thanks for the beautiful rug you gave us’ said Jane to her Uncle Peter. ‘It was very generous of you and | just love the colours in it. And thank you for giving us your writing desk. You really shouldn't have. | know i's valuable and that you've always loved it’ “You're welcome!’ said her uncle. I hope you'll be very happy in your new home’ “Thanks for the table mats’ said Bill to his friend Jack. ‘You'll have to come round and have dinner off them when we get back from our honeymoon’ ‘Don't mention it, Bill.| just hope you and Jane like them! ‘Cheers for being my best man, Bill said to Tom, who had been his friend since their schooldays. ‘It was nothing’ replied Tom. ‘I hope you'll do the same for me when | get married’ Just before the young couple left the reception, Jane said to her father, ‘Thank you for giving us such a lovely wedding’ ‘It was my pleasure, dear, he said. | hope you and Bill will be very happy!all not at all! You use not at all! as a polite response to someone thanking you for something: * ‘Thank you very much for the delicious chocolates.’ ‘Not at all!’ * “Thank you for driving me home.” ‘Not at alll’ all right that's all right You use that's all right as a polite response to someone thanking you for something: * ‘Thanks a lot for the book. | found it very interesting.” ‘That's all right! I’m glad you enjoyed it’ * ‘Thanks for lending me your bike.’ ‘That's all right. | didn’t need it today.’ Language Help You also say that’s all right in reply to an apology to show that the action or situation ‘that caused the apology was not important: * ‘I'm sorry to disturb you.’ "That's all right!’ cheer cheers for .. The expression cheers for .. form of thank you for ... English: * Cheers for the birthday present. * Cheers for helping me paint the living room isa very informal used in British generous it was very generous of you It was very generous of you is a polite expression that is often added to some form cof thank you when thanking someone for something: © Thanks a lot for the present. It was very generous of you. * Thank you very much for the necklace. It was very generous of you. Language flelp You can also use it was very good of you and it was very kind of you in the same way. mention don’t mention it You use don’t mention it as a polite response to someone thanking you for something: © Thankyou very much for the birthday cake.’ ‘Don't mention it!’ * ‘Thanks for giving me a lift to the airport.’ ‘Don't mention it!’ nothing it was nothing You use it was nothing as a polite response to someone thanking you for doing something: ‘© ‘Thanks a lot for driving me home.’ ‘It was nothing!’ * ‘Thanks for looking after the dog for me.’ ‘It was nothing!’ 3940 pleasure it was my pleasure You say it was my pleasure as a polite response when someone thanks you: * ‘Thank you for giving me such a lovely handbag.’ ‘It was my pleasure!’ * ‘Thank you for baking a birthday cake for me.’ ‘It was my pleasure.’ shouldn't you really shouldn't have You say you really shouldn't have when thanking someone for something, especially for something expensive or valuable: * Thank you for the beautiful gold necklace. You really shouldn't have! * Thank you very much for the beautiful wine glasses. You really shouldn't have. Language Hele You can also say you shouldn't have. thank (v) thank you for ... You say thank you for ... when you are thanking someone for something they have given you or done for you: * Thank you for the beautiful flowers which you sent me. * Thank you for giving me a lift home. thank you very much for ... The expression thank you very much for is amore emphatic form of thank you for * Thank you very much for the book which you sent me on my birthday. * Thank you very much for lending me a dress for the party. thanks (n) thanks for ... The expression thanks for ... isa slightly more informal form of thank you for ...: * Thanks for the sweets, Jill. * Thanks for helping me wash the dishes, Meg many thanks for ... The expression many thanks for ... is a more emphatic form of thanks for ...: * Many thanks for the magazines. Many thanks for letting us borrow your car. thanks a lot for The expression thanks a lot for ... is a more emphatic form of thanks for * Thanks a lot for the lovely flowers. © Thanks a lot for looking after the children for us. welcome you're welcome! You use you're welcome! as a polite response to someone thanking you for something, especially common in American English: © ‘Thank you for the loan of the book." “You're welcome!” * “Thank you for helping me cook the meal.’ “You're welcome!’Answer the following questions. What polite response to an expression of thanks is more common in American English than in British English? Ei insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 Thanksa_____ for the present. 2 Thank you very ____ for your help. 3. This present must have been very expensive. You really __ have! 4 Thank you. It was very kind of you to drive me home.’ ‘Don't it’ 5 Thanks for the beautiful flowers.’ ‘It wasmy I” In what situation would you use the informal British English expression cheers for ...? ay You sometimes say it was very generous of you when you are thanking someone for something. What similar expressions can you also use in this way? a42 Members of staff at Bennett's, a textile company, were attending a leaving party. This was not all that uncommon. From time to time people left and the occasion was often marked by a small party. This party, however, was unusual in that it was being held to say goodbye to several people at once. Three people were leaving, although not all for the same reason. Ron, the sales manager, was leaving because he had reached retirement age. He had been with the firm for twenty years and was very popular. Several of his colleagues gathered round him to wish him well ‘All the best, Ron!’ said Bert from the accounts department. ‘Enjoy your retirement and don't think any more about work’ ‘Good luck, Ron!’ said the managing director. ‘Have a relaxing retirement. You've earned it. My wife is sorry that she can‘t be here this evening but she sends you her best wishes! The best of luck in your retirement, Ron! I'll be joining you soon. I've only got two years to go! Sally, who worked in the design department, was leaving to get married. Just after the wedding she and her husband were going to work overseas in Canada for two years. Lucy, who had just returned from maternity leave, said to Sally, ‘I knew you were leaving, but I've just heard that you're going to get married. hope you'll both be very happy!” Every good wish for your wedding day, Sally’ said Pat, who had been Sally’s secretary, ‘and have a good time in Canada! Frank, who worked in administration, had just heard that he had won a scholarship to study business management in America. He would be leaving at the end of the month. ‘Best wishes, Frank’ said the managing director. ‘Please get in touch when you've finished your studies. We'd love to have you back’ ‘Good for you, Frank!’ said the head of administration. ‘You beat a lot of other candidates to win that scholarship.! hope all goes well in the States!’Then Ron, Sally and Frank thanked them all for their good wishes and everyone had a few drinks to celebrate. Here's to all of you who are leaving!’ said the managing director, lifting his glass. best all the best! You say or write all the best! to someone to show that you hope they will be well, successful, fortunate, etc: * [hear you've got a new job. All the best! * Ben told me you're sitting your driving test tomorrow. All the best! Language felp You often use alll the best! when you are saying goodbye to someone or ending a letter or email: * Alll the best! Enjoy your stay in Americal * Write soon! here here's to ...! You say here’s to ...! when you lift a glass and drink from it in order to show that you hope that someone will be well, successful, fortunate, etc. This is called a toast: * Here's to Bill and Mary! * Here's to you, John! We hope that you enjoy your new job. luck good luck! You say good luck! to someone to show that you hope they will be successful, fortunate, etc: * [hear the exams are tomorrow. Good luck! All the best! * The auditions for the school play are next James week. Good luck! Language Help happy I hope you'll both be very happy! You say | hope you'll both be very happy! to mean good luck! to two people who are getting married: * Sue told me that you are going to marry Tom. I hope you'll both be very happy! * I'm sorry that | won't be able to come to the wedding, but | hope you'll both be very happy! You can also use the construction good luck with ...1: + Good luck with your music exam! the best of luck! You say the best of luck! to someone to show that you hope they will be successful, fortunate, etc: * | hear that you're taking your driving test tomorrow. The best of luck! 43* So you've applied for the manager's job. The best of luck! You can also say best of luck!: * The job interviews are to be held next week. Best of luck! You can also use the construction the best of luck with «The best of luck with your college interview! well Thope all goes well You say or write | hope all goes well to someone to show that you hope they will be well, successful, fortunate, etc: * Mum said your job interview’s tomorrow. I hope all goes well. * Jean mentioned that you're going into hospital tomorrow. | hope all goes well. wish (n) best wishes You say or write best wishes to someone to show that you hope they will be well, successful, fortunate, etc, although it is more common in written English: * Tom told me that you celebrate your silver wedding anniversary tomorrow. Best wishes! * Your mother told me that you begin your university course next week. Best wishes! Language Help You can also use best wishes to end a letter or email: * Let me have a reply as soon as possible. Best wishes! Lucy You can also use best wishes in such constructions as: * Please send Tom our best wishes. * Give Lucy our best wishes when you see her. every good wish The expression is a slightly more emphatic form of best wishes: * This is your last day at school. Every good wish for the future. * Mum wrote and told me that you're having a baby. Every good wish! wish (v) wish someone well You say that you wish someone well to show you hope that they will be well, successful, fortunate, etc: * John is off to university tomorrow and we're having a party to wish him well. * I hope to see Lucy before she leaves so that | can wish her well. You can also use the construction wish someone well with or in: * I wish you well in your new job. * I wish you well with your science project.Answer the following questions. Write down an expression which is an emphatic form of best wishes. EE insert the word missing from each expression below. 11 you well in your drama course. 2 Tomorrow's the day you go in for your operation, isn’t it? | _____ alll goes well, 3 Good _____ with your job-hunting! 4 Is your exam tomorrow? All the In what situation would you be likely to say | hope you'll both be very happy!? iD | You say good luck! to someone to show that you hope they will be successful, fortunate, etc. What is a similar expression that you may use in a similar situation? Bh what expression in the passage is an example of a toast? 4546 It was 8 o'clock in the morning and Sue was leaving for work. As she was going down her garden path her elderly neighbour, Mr Jackson, called out, ‘Good morning, Sue! Lovely morning, isn't it?” Morning, Mr Jackson! Yes, it’s nice!’ As she walked along the road to the station she met her friend Jane going in the opposite direction. Hi, Sue!’ said Jane. i, Jane!’ said Sue. ‘Are you not going to work today?” ‘Yes, but I'm going in later. I've got an appointment at the dentist's.” ‘Hi, you two!’ called their friend Mary from across the street. ‘Hi, Mary!’ said Sue as Mary crossed the road. ‘I can’t stay and chat now or I'll miss the train! ‘How are you doing, Jane’ Mary asked as Sue walked away. 1'm OK, thanks, Mary! replied Jane, ‘except that I'm on my way to the dentist's and I'm late! | must go. Ill phone you tonight” Meanwhile, Sue made her way to the station. She knew several people on the platform as they all travelled together most mornings. Jack was one of those standing there and he said, ‘Morning Sue! How are you?’ ‘'m fine, thanks, Jack! And you?’ ‘1'm very well, thanks. I've just been on holiday’ ‘Hello, Sue’ called Peter, hurrying along the platform. ‘I was worried in case I'd missed the train.’ ‘Hello, Peter!’ replied Sue. ‘The train’s not due for another five minutes.’ When the train came, they all got into it and went off to their various workplaces for the day. Many of them met in the evening again as they caught the same train home after work.When Mary arrived at the station, she was surprised to see Mr Jackson on the platform. ‘Good evening, Sue!’ he said. ‘Have you had a hard day at the office?” ‘Evening, Mr Jackson! No, I've had quite a good day, actually, but | don't often see you on this train. ‘No, | usually try to avoid the busy times, but | had a late appointment with my lawyer in the city’ ‘Well, we can travel home together, said Sue. Just then the train arrived and everyone rushed forward to get a seat. and and you? You say and you? in reply to someone who has asked you how you are: * ‘I haven't seen you for some time, Jane. How are you?” ‘I'm very well, thanks, Mary. And you?’ * ‘Good morning, Tom! How are you?” ‘I'm fine, John. And you?’ rr You can say how are you? or and how are you? instead: * ‘Hello, Jill. How are you today?" ‘I'm fine, thanks. And how are you?’ are how are you? You say how are you? as a conventional greeting to ask about someone's health and happiness, whether or not you have any reason to believe that they have been ill or unhappy and whether or not you really want to know how they are: * ‘Hello, James. How are you this morning?’ ‘I'm fine, thanks, Mike. How are you?’ * ‘Tom told me that you had to go to hospital last week, Jane. How are you now?! ‘I'm fine, thanks, Peter. | was just having a small operation and I’ve recovered completely.’ do how are you doing? This is an informal expression meaning the same as how are you?: * Hello, Mike! | haven't seen you since Christmas. How are you doing? * Hi, Jim! I haven't seen you for a long time. How are you doing? [ tamale = Two other informal expressions with the same meaning are how's it going? and how are things?: Hi, Jack! how's it going? * Hi, Saral How are things?evening good evening You say good evening to someone as a greeting when you meet them in the evening. This is often shortened to evening!: © Good evening, Jim. Have you just finished work? * Evening, Jack! You're on a later train than usual. fine I'm fine You say I'm fine in reply to someone who has asked how you are. Even if you are not really feeling fine it is conventional to say that you are, rather than to tell someone what is wrong with you. The expression is often shortened to fine: * ‘Good morning, Jean! How are you?” ‘I'm fine, thank you, Mary. How are you? * ‘Hi, Ben! How are you?’ ‘Fine, thanks, Pete. And how are you?’ Language Helo You use I'm very well and I'm OK in the same way except that I'm OK is more informal: * ‘Good morning, Jill. How are you today?” ‘Vm very well, thank you, Mary. How are you?” * ‘Hi, Bill. how are you?" ‘Vm OK, thanks. And you?” 48 hello! You use hello! as a conventional greeting when you meet someone: * Hello, Jane! Where are you off to in such a hurry? * Hello, Mary! I'm sorry I'm late. Language Help You also say hello! when you answer the phone: * Hello! This is Jane Brown speaking. You also say hello! to the person who answers the phone when you are making a I'd like to speak to the manager, You use hit as an informal alternative to hello! when you meet someone: * Hi, Tom! How are you doing? * Hi, Lucy! | haven't seen you for ages. morning good morning You say good morning to someone as a greeting when you meet them in the morning This is often shortened to morning!: * Good morning, Mr Brown. I'm just off to the newsagent to collect my newspaper. * Morning, Lucy! | can't stop to chat because I'm already late!Answer the following questions. What informal expression in the passage means the same as how are you? EB You say good morning to someone as a greeting when you meet them in the morning. What is this often shortened to? What is an informal form of hello!? By You can say I'm very well or I'm fine when someone asks how you are. Give an informal alternative of these from the passage. In what situation would you use and you? What is a longer version of and you? When do you use hello! when it is not related to a telephone conversation? 49The principal of the school had decided to hold a Careers Day for students who would be leaving school the following year. Many of the students had taken the opportunity to go along and receive information and advice on what kind of jobs were open to them. Some of them took a break from the exhibition to discuss their career plans. ‘Vd like to be a pilot said John, ‘but I'm not sure what qualifications I'd need. I'm going to ask about it today’ ‘1want to go to drama college but my parents want me to study something that will get me a secure job, said Lucy. ‘They say acting is a very uncertain profession, but | hope I can persuade them to change their minds.” ‘Vm going to be an accountant’ said Jim. ‘Maths is my best subject and my father and uncle are both accountants. They want me to join the family firm but I would rather do my training somewhere else and perhaps join my father and uncle later on! ‘Ym planning to take a year off before going to university to do some travelling, but | want to fix up my university courses before | go, said Bill. I've decided to do a degree in business studies but I'm not sure which university to apply to. ‘Ym hoping to become a vel said Meg. ‘I know the training’s long and hard and that it can bea very tough job, but it's something I've always wanted to do. My aunts a country vet and I've worked with her in the school holidays’ ‘Tish | could be a professional football player, said Ben, ‘but I'll never be good enough for that. ve played for our local team for the last two seasons, but that's as far as Ill get. I'm going to find out about becoming a PE teacher’ ‘Before today | intended to study law,’ said Amy, ‘but now I'm not so sure. | never realized there were so many interesting courses available’ ‘fancy starting up my own catering business’ said Mary, ‘but obviously I can’t do that right away. I'm going to train to be a chef first’ At that they all started once again to gather up more careers information.decide I've decided to You say I've decided to when you have made up your mind to do something and are not expressing any doubts about it: * I’ve decided to go by train. | don't like flying. I've decided to sell my house and move to the country. The expression I've made the decision means the same, but it suggests that you have thought about the subject carefully or for along time before deciding: * I've given a lot of thought to what I should do and I’ve made the decision to do absolutely nothing. fancy fancy You use | fancy when you wish to say in an informal context that you would like something or would like to do something: * [fancy a job in advertising. * fancy doing a drama course at college. go I'm going to You say I'm going to when you have made up your mind to do something and are not expressing any doubts about it: * I'm going to invite all the neighbours to my party. * I'm going to spend Christmas with my parents. hope I'm hoping to You say I'm hoping to do something when you want to do something and think that it might be possible to do so, but are not sure: © I'mhoping to study science at university but it depends on my final school exam results. * I'm hoping to take a year off before starting work after university, but | need to save a lot of money in order to do that. intend lintend to You say | intend to when you have made up. your mind to do something and are not expressing any doubts about it. The expression is slightly more emphatic and slightly more formal than I've decided to and I'm going to: * lintend to apply for the post of manager. * intend to look for a house near the sea. A more formal form of this expressior is my intention to: * It is my intention to fly to Paris and then take the train. * It is my intention to leave the house to my nephew when | die. like I'd like to The expression I'd like to is a more polite form of saying | want to: © I'd like to go to the theatre tonight. ° I'd like to take a course in French cooking. 5152 plan I'm planning to You say I'm planning to do something when you have made up your mind to do something and are making arrangements to do so: * I'm planning to spend a year travelling before going to university. * I'm planning to buy anew computer, but | don’t have quité enough money yet. want I want to You say I want to when you have a desire to do something: * I want to go to Australia as soon as | have saved enough money. * [want to learn to drive as soon as I'm old enough. wish I wish I could You say | wish | could do something when you want to do something very much although this is not very likely or not possible: * I wish | could buy a house in that area, but property there is far too expensive for me. * [wish | could persuade my friend to see a doctor, but she absolutely refuses to do so.Answer the following questions. It is my intention to do something is rather a formal expression. Write down a less formal expression from the passage which has the same meaning. El of what is I'd like to a more polite form? Write down an informal expression from the passage which means that you would like something or would like to do something. Bo Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 I've made the __ and | will not change my mind. 21 I could take a holiday, but | am far too busy at work to get away. EB What expression would you use 1 when you want to do something, think that it may be possible but are not sure? 2 when you have decided to do something and are making arrangements to do so? 5SSue and the friends she shared a flat with had decided to hold a party on the following Saturday night. It was to be a completely informal affair and so they were not sending out invitations. They would ask people in person or phone them. Sue met Meg on her way to college and said, ‘Would you like to come to a party on Saturday?’ she asked. ‘We're having one at the flat’ ‘Vd love to come, thanks; replied Meg, ‘What time does it start?” ‘About 8 o'clock’ answered Sue. Next, Sue met Jack. ‘How about coming to a party at the flat on Saturday night, Jack? ‘Vd love to come, Sue, but I'm going home to visit my parents this weekend/ replied Jack. Meanwhile Jane, who shared a flat with Sue, had met Anna. ‘We're throwing a party at the flat on Saturday night. Can you comer ‘Yes; said Anna. I'd like to come very much. | haven't been to a party for ages. Ill really look forward to it’ Just then Jane saw Bob and called, ‘Bob, we've decided to have a party at the flat on Saturday. Do you fancy coming?’ “Thanks for the invite’ said Bob, ‘but I'm going to have to turn it down. I'm working in my father's restaurant on Saturday night” Sara, who shared the flat with Sue and Jane, decided to ask her English tutor, Ken Smith. He and his wife were much younger than most of the other college teachers and they got on very well with the students. She rang him up to explain about the party and to ask, ‘Do you want to come” ‘Sorry, Sara. It’s very nice of you to ask us; replied Ken, ‘but we won't be able to make it. We find it very difficult to get a babysitter on Saturday nights’ Sara then rang their friend Mike and said, ‘Hi, Mike! There's a party at our place on Saturday night and you're invited’‘Hi, Sara!’ replied Mike. ‘I'll have to take a rain check on it, 'm afraid. I'm going hill- walking at the weekend.” All three flatmates invited several more people who all accepted the invitations and the party was a great success. accept accept an/the invitation When you accept an invitation, you say ‘yes’ when someone invites you to something or to do something: * I'm writing to accept your kind invitation to dinner. | look forward to seeing you on Saturday evening. © Thanks for asking me to the party. I'd love to accept the invitation. Language fetp The expression take someone up on an invitation means the same but is less common: * I'd like to take you up on your invitation to play in the golf match next Saturday. * I'd love to take you up on your invitation to join your theatre party. The opposite of accept an invitation is refuse an invitation or turn down an invitation (see below): * Jane asked me to her wedding, but, unfortunately, | had to refuse the invitation. | was sorry that | had to turn down the invitation to Jim’s party, but | had to go away on business. ask it’s nice of you to ask You say it’s nice of you to ask me asa way of thanking someone politely for an invitation: * It’snice of you to ask me to your barbecue this evening, I'd like to come very much. * It’s nice of you to ask my wife and me to your party, but we won't be able to come. We are going away for the weekend. Language Help You can also say it’s kind of you to ask ... or it’s good of you to ask ...: + It’s kind of you to ask us to go sailing with you. can can you come? You say can you come? when you want to know if somecne is able to accept an invitation to something: * We're having an end-of-term party tomorrow night. Can you come? * Some of us are going to the pop concert tonight and we've got some extra tickets. Can you come? 5556 fancy do you fancy coming? This is an informal way of inviting someone to something * I've got some free tickets for tonight's pop concert. Do you fancy coming? ‘* We're having a barbecue on the beach this evening. Do you fancy coming? how how about coming? This is an informal way of inviting someone to something: * We're having a party to celebrate the end of term. How about coming? * Some of us are going sailing tomorrow. How about coming? invite (n) thanks for the invite You say thanks for the invite when you thank someone informally for inviting you to something since the word invite is an informal form of invitation: * ‘Would you like to come to the beach with us tomorrow?" ‘Thanks for the invite, but I'm working tomorrow.’ * ‘We're going camping this weekend. Would you like to join us?" ‘Thanks for the invite! I'd love to go camping.’ Language Help The more formal form is thanks or thank you for the invitation. invite (v) you're invited You say you're invited as a way of inviting someone to something: * Lucy’ having a fireworks party tomorrow night and you're invited. * My brothers having a party tonight and we're both invited. You are invited to is often used in written invitations: * You are invited to the wedding of Lucy Jones and Frank Wilson. like would you like to come? You say would you like to come? when you ask or invite someone to something: © We're going hill-walking tomorrow. Would you like to come? * I'm booking theatre tickets for the family for next week. Would you like to come? love I'd love to come/I'd love to come, but... You say I'd love to come when you receive an invitation which you would like to accept. If you are unable to accept it for some reason, the expression is often followed by but: * ‘We're going ona trip to the zoo tomorrow. Would you like to join us?’ ‘I'd love to come. What time are you leaving?’* ‘I've got two tickets for the play at the Lyceum tomorrow evening. Would you like to come with me?’ ‘I'd love to come, but | have to work late tomorrow evening.’ make we won't be able to make it You use | or we won't be able to make it as a fairly informal way of saying that you cannot accept an invitation to something: © Thanks for us inviting us to your barbecue, but we won't be able to make it. Unfortunately we can’t get a babysitter. * Thanks for asking me to your party, but | won't be able to make it. I'm going away for the weekend. Language Help You also say I or we can’t make it. rain V'll have to take a rain check on it You say I'll have to take a rain check on it in an informal context when you have to refuse an invitation to something but want to show that you would like to be invited to something similar at a later date: * I can't meet you fora drink tonight because I'm working late. I'll have to take a rain check on it. * It’s kind of you to invite me to your drinks party on Saturday, but I'll have to take a rain check on it. I've promised to go out for dinner with some friends. Language Help This phrase originated in American English but is now fairly common in British English also. It exists in various constructions, such as I'll take a rain check on it and do you mind if | take a rain check on it? turn turn something down You turn down an invitation when you cannot, or do not want accept it. It has the same meaning as refuse an invitation * It is kind of you to invite me to the concert but I’m afraid I'm going to have turn down the invitation. | have a driving lesson that evening. * Thank you for asking me to dinner next week, but, unfortunately, I’m going to have to turn down the invitation. I'll be on holiday then. * | was asked to attend the charity ball but | had to refuse the invitation. It's in a month’s time and I'll be away at a conference. want do you want to come? You say do you want to come? as a way of inviting someone to something: * My dad’s organizing a fireworks party for next Saturday. Do you want to come? * We're having a barbecue on the beach this evening. Do you want to come? 57Answer the following questions. Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 I'dlike to take you on your invitation. 2 I'm sorry. I'm going to have to turn ____ your invitation. 3° Thanks for inviting us to your barbecue, but we won't be able to as it. 4. Thanks for asking me to the lunch party. I'd love to come, have another engagement. 5 | have an extra ticket for the opera tomorrow evening. Would you to come? Ef write down an informal form of the word invitation. Write down two expressions which are opposite in meaning to accept an invitation and use one of these in a sentence. ED tt’s nice of you to ask me is used as a way of thanking someone politely for an invitation. Write down two other expressions that are used in the same way and use one of them in a sentence. El in what situation would you use do you mind if I take a rain check on it? 58News that Jean was moving to a new flat and that she needed help had travelled. ‘hear you're moving into your new flat on Friday, Jean said Bob. Would you like a hand?’ ‘That's very kind of you, Bob; replied Jean. 1 appreciate your offer. Some other friends have already offered to help with the move, but the more people there are, the quicker welll get it done’ Next, Jean met Jim, who said, ‘Bob told me you're moving house on Friday. Can I give you a hand?’ That's very nice of you, Jim, said Jean. I've got quite a few people helping already, but there's a lot of stuff to move, including some heavy furniture. Il see you on Friday! Jean had decided to move some of the smaller things gradually by car. As she was taking some boxes out of the car boot, a man came out of the next car and said, ‘Hello, Jean! Can | help?’ It was Mike from one of the other flats in the block. He had met Jean when she had come to look round her flat before buying it. Yes, please, Mike, replied Jean. Could you carry this box of china, please?’ ‘Certainly, said Mike. Let me help with that bag of books as well’ Just then John, who shared a flat with Mike, came along, ‘You two have a lot to carry. Is. there anything | can do?’ he asked. Just as he was saying this he was joined by Harry, their other flatmate, who said, Need any help?” “Thanks, you two. Could you take those plants from the back seat of the car into the flat for me, please” When they came back out of the flat they saw Mr Jones, rather an elderly gentleman who lived with his wife in one of the ground-floor flats. Can | be of any assistance?’ he asked. ‘That's very kind of you, Mr Jones, but | think we've got everything unpacked now,’ said Jean. ‘Then I'll make myself useful by making some tea’ said Mr Jones. a60 “Thank you, Mr Jones! said Jean. ‘That would be lovely!’ They had some tea and Jean went back home to get ready for Friday’s move, saying, ‘Thanks for your help, everyone!’ anything is there anything | can do? You say is there anything | can do? when you are asking someone if you can help them in some way, especially if they appear to be having difficulties or be in trouble * ‘You look very worried, Mary? Is there anything | can do?’ ‘No, thanks, Jim. | thought I'd missed the bus, but I see it coming now.’ * ‘Has your car broken down? Is there anything I can do?’ ‘No, thanks, but it's kind of you to ask. I'm waiting for the repair man.’ appreciate | appreciate your offer You say | appreciate your offer to show that you are grateful when someone offers to help you even if you do not accept the offer: * ‘Ican give you a lift to the station in the morning, if you like.” ‘Thanks, Bill. | appreciate your offer and I'd like to take you up on it, if | may.’ * ‘If you need to borrow a car tomorrow, | could lend you mine.’ “Thanks, Peter. | appreciate your offer, but my father says that | can have his.’ * ‘Thear you've hurt yourankle, Mary. Would you like me to waik the dog for you?’ ‘Thanks, Jane. | appreciate your offer, but my brother is looking after the dog until my ankle is better.’ Language flelp If the offer of help is accepted, a common way of expressing this is to say I'd like to take you up on your offer: * Dad, | appreciate your offer to lend me some money to get my business started. I'd like to take you up on your offer, but only until my loan comes through from the bank. The expression take you up on (something) is also used with reference to an invitation to mean the invitation is accepted: * I'm sorry. I’m not in a position to take you up on your invitation. assistance can I be of any assistance? You say can | be of any assistance? when you are offering to help someone in some way. It is more formal than can I help you?: * ‘You look lost. Can I be of any assistance?’ "Yes, please. Can you tell us how to get to the railway station?” * ‘ls there something wrong with your foot? Can I be of any assistance?’ ‘No, thank you. I’ve broken the heel of my shoe, but my husband has gone to get the car,could could you carry/take . You often say could you carry or take (something)? when someone offers to help you with something: * Thanks for offering to help, Jim. Could you carry these books for me? * I'd love some help, Lucy. Could you take this suitcase out to the car for me, please? Language Help You also say can you help with .. * Can you help with this desk? I can't move it by myself. hand can I give you a hand? You say can I give you a hand? when you are offering to help someone, especially with some form of physical work. Itis slightly more informal than can | help you?: * You seem to be carrying a lot of shopping, Mrs Brown. Can | give you a hand? * Cooking for so many people is a lot of work. Can I give you a hand? help can | help? You say can | help? when you are offering to help someone, especially someone who seems to be having difficulties of some kind or be in some kind of trouble: * Isaw you fall over. Can | help? ‘* That suitcase looks very heavy. Can | help? Language Help You can also say can I be of any help? * Have you lost your way? Can I be of any help? You use how can I help? when you want to know in what way you can help someone: * I hear you're looking for some information about your family. How can I help? let me help with ... You say let me help with ... when you are offering to help someone with something, often to take/carry, etc, something: * That box looks very heavy. Let me help with it. * That sofa is too heavy for one person. Let me help with it. Language Help You can also say can I lend a hand?: * It’s going to take you a long time to dig that garden. Can I lend a hand? Other constructions based on the expression include would you like a hand? or would you like a hand with ...? and do you need a hand? or do you need a hand with * Would you like a hand to move that furniture? * Would you like a hand with the washing up? * Do you need a hand to pick the apples? * Do you need a hand with the cooking? Language Help You can also say let me carry ... or let me take ...: ‘* That box of books looks very heavy. Let me carry it. need any help? You say need any help? in an informal context when you want to know if you can help someone: * You've got a lot of dishes to wash. Need any help? ° There are quite a few people waiting for food. Need any help? 6162 Language Help Amore formal way of saying this is do you need any help? thanks for your help You say thanks for your help or thank you for your help when you wish to thank someone for helping you: * That’ the washing up finished. Thanks for your help! * It was kind of you to help me arrange the flowers for the wedding. Thanks for your help! kind that's very kind of you You say that's very kind of you when someone offers to help you: * ‘Can |help you carry those heavy bags?’ ‘That's very kind of you. Could you take this one?’ © ‘Isee your car has broken down. Can | help you?” "That's very kind of you, but my husband has gone to fetch a mechanic from the local garage.’ You can also use that’s very nice of you the same way: * ‘Can | help you put those books away?’ “That's very nice of you. These go in those shelves over there.” useful I'll make myself useful You say I'll make myself useful when you're going to help someone: * I'll make myself useful by putting away these dishes. * I'll make myself useful by taking the dog for a walk. = ———o—— You can say how can | make myself useful? when you want to know in what way you can help: ‘I’ve come to help with the party arrangements. How can I make myself useful?Answer the following questions. Give an expression which sounds similar to can I give you a hand? and means the same. El what is a more formal form of the expression need any help? What expression from the passage would you use to thank someone for their help? BBV Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 How can | make myself ? 2 Can Ibe of a 3 Would you like a hand ______ those heavy bags? 41 your offer, but | don't need any assistance, thank you. 5 big seemed to hurt your ankle when you fell. Is there __ I can lo? 63Mary had been sent by her school to do two weeks’ work experience at Brown and Jackson, a firm of accountants. It was a large firm and she was very nervous when she first arrived. She was so nervous that she was rather confused about where she was supposed to sit in the large open-plan office. ‘May I sit here?’ Mary asked the girl sitting next to the desk which she thought was the one which had been pointed out to her. ‘Yes, of course! This is your desk for the next two weeks.’ Mary sat down and switched on the computer ready to begin work, but it wasn’t a system she was used to. She couldn't find any instruction manual on her desk, but there was one on the next desk. ‘Im sorry to interrupt you again, but could | possibly borrow your computer manual? I'm not used to this system! ‘Be my guest!’ said the girl, whose name was Sara. If you have any difficulty with it just ask me” Mary soon was able to use the computer, but she began to feel very hot. ‘Can I open that window?’ she asked Sara. ‘Vm sorry, but you'd better not, replied Sara. ‘When that window is open there's a draught and all the papers blow around’ Mary saw that there was a desk fan beside her desk and asked Sara, ‘Would it be all right if | switched on the fan, then? I'm very hot’ ‘Yes, feel free to switch it on whenever you like! It does get very hot in here with all these people, but you get used to it after a while’ Mary was so hot that she began to feel very thirsty. She said to Sara, ‘I noticed a coffee machine in the hall. Are we allowed to use it?”"Yes, go ahead, but we're not allowed to bring the coffee back to our desks in case it gets spilt over important documents. Come to think of it, I hope you don’t smoke because they don’t let us smoke anywhere in the building. We have to go outside and that’s not very pleasant’ Mary said that she didn’t smoke and went back to work, hoping that she would soon become familiar with what she could and could not do. ahead go ahead You say go ahead when you are giving permission to someone to do something or telling them that they are allowed to do something: = ‘May | use this computer?” ‘Go ahead! It's a spare one.’ © ‘Can | borrow this dictionary?” ‘Go ahead! It's for office use." allow are we allowed to .. You say are we allowed to do something? when you want to know if there is any rule why you should not do something: * Are we allowed to go into this part of the building? * Are we allowed to use the school library at weekends? we're not allowed to ... You say we're not allowed to do something when there is a rule why people should not do something: * We're not allowed to walk on the grass in the park. *° We're not allowed to wear jeans to school, We have to wear school uniform. all right would it be all right if You ask would it be all right if you did something? when you are asking if you are allowed to do something or when you are asking permission to do something, especially something that you think might interrupt, disturb or annoy someone: * Would it be all right if | borrowed this book? * Would it be all right if | closed this door? Language Help You can also use do you mind if ...? in this way: * Do you mind if | switch on the electric fire? better you'd better not You say you'd better not when someone has asked permission to do something and you are telling them that they should not do it: * ‘May | use this computer?’ ‘You'd better not. It belongs to Mary and she doesn't like other people using it.’ * ‘Can lopen this door? It’s very hot in here.’ "You'd better not. It's a fire door and it should be kept shut all the time.’ 6566 can canl...? You say can | do something? when you are asking permission to do something: * ‘Can | sit here?’ ‘No. I'm sorry but the seats in this part of the train are all reserved.’ * Can I take one of these leaflets? Language Help The expression may I ...? (see below) is a more polite form to use for the same purpose. could could I possibly ...? You say could | possibly or could | do something? when you are asking permission to do something. The expression could | possibly do something? is a more polite form of the two expressions: * Could I borrow this pen, please? * Could | possibly borrow your lecture notes? | missed the lecture because | was ill free feel free to ... You say feel free to do something when someone asks permission to do something and you are telling them that they do not have to ask permission in future: * ‘May | borrow your dictionary” ‘Certainly. Feel free to borrow it whenever you want.’ * ‘Can use the photocopier?” ‘Of course! Feel free to use it whenever you need to.’ guest be my guest! You say be my guest! in an informal context when you are giving someone permission to borrow or use something, especially something that belongs to you: * ‘Could | borrow this pencil?” ‘Certainly! Be my guest!’ * ‘Can |use this cup?" ‘Of course! Be my guest!’ let they don’t let us You say they don’t let us do something when there is a rule or regulation which states that people should not do something: * They don’t let us into the school laboratory unless there’s a teacher there. * They don’t let us into the office building before 8 am. may may I You say may I do something? when you are asking permission to do something. It is a more polite expression than can I do something?: © ‘May Ihave a look at the map?’ ‘Certainly! Here it is!” * ‘May | borrow the telephone directory, please?’ "Yes, certainly.’Answer the following questions. Write down an expression which is a more polite form of can I? and show how it is used. [El Write down an expression from the passage which is used in the same way as do you mind if I turn down the heating?. What informal expression from the passage would you use when giving someone permission to borrow or use something that belongs to you? By Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1. ‘Can | use this chair?’ ‘Yes, go______ ! No one else needs it.’ 2) ‘Would it be all right if | listened to the radio?” ‘Yes, ______ free to use it when you wish.’ 3 ‘Could | borrow this mug?’ "You'd __ not. It belongs to Mary and she doesn’t like people using her things.’ El what expression in the passage indicates that there is a rule of some kind which prevents people from doing something? 6768 John and Anne were going to visit Anne’s aunt, who had just retired to a country cottage. They weren't familiar with that part of the country and they had got lost. ‘Why don't you ask that woman over there for directions?’ said Anne as they passed through the same little town for about the third time. John called, ‘Excuse me! Can you give us directions to Rose Cottage? Il's supposed to be about three miles from here, behind the town.’ ‘Ym sorry but | can't help you, said the woman. ‘'m a stranger here. 'm visiting a friend in the next town’ “Thank you very much, anyway, said John and looked around for someone else to ask. Unfortunately, it was quite early on a Sunday morning and there were not many people around. ‘Look!’ said John. ‘There's a man walking his dog. It’s your turn to ask the way.’ Anne got out of the car and said to the man, ‘Can you tell me the way to Rose Cottage? Its situated about three miles behind the town, but we simply can't find it. We're lost’ ‘Rose Coltage, you say,’ said the man. Sorry. I've never heard of it; I just came to live here a few weeks ago.’ Suddenly another man with a dog appeared. ‘Excuse me!’ said Anne. ‘Could you direct us to Rose Cottage?” ‘Sorry. | don't live here, replied the man. I can't help you, I'm afraid. Why don't you ask at the village shop? It’s just over there behind the church. Someone there should be able to show you the way. John and Anne took his advice. ‘Can you tell us how to get to Rose Cottage?” asked John. We've lost our way. ‘I'm sorry. | can’t, but the owner's in the back of the shop. She'll know’The shop owner, Mrs Jones, was, indeed, able to give them directions. ‘Go straight on through the town and turn left at the white cottage called Bell Cottage. Then drive straight on until you come to a crossroads, Turn left there and drive on for about half a mile until you come to a farm called Whitecraigs. Turn right at the farm gate and Rose Cottage is at the end of the lane.’ Eventually they arrived at Anne's aunt's cottage several hours late! ask ask someone the way You ask someone the way when you ask someone how to get somewhere: * | don’t know how to get to the railway station. I’m going to have to ask someone the way. * Ican‘t see the village on this map. I'll have to stop and ask someone the way. You can also use ask someone for directions with the same meaning: * We couldn't find the hotel, but we asked a policeman for directions. crossroads Acrossroads is a place where two roads meet and cross each other: * We didn’t know whether to turn right at the crossroads or to go straight on. © There was no signpost at the crossroads and we turned left instead of right by mistake. Language Help A roundabout is a place that is a circular area where several roads meet. Drivers drive round it in the same direction to find the road they want: * You take the first turn left at the roundabout. * Go straight on at the roundabout. direct could you direct us to ...? You say to someone could you direct us to somewhere? when you want them to tell you how to get somewhere: * Could you direct us to the railway station, please? * Could you direct us to Rose Lane, please? direction can you give us directions to You say to someone can you give us directions to somewhere? when you want ‘them to tell you how to get there: * We're looking for a hotel called the White House. Can you give us directions to it? * Can you give us directions to the bus station? 6970 go... When you are giving directions to someone you often use the imperative and so you use words such as go, drive and turn: * Go across the bridge. * Drive along the main street. © Turn left along Forth Street at the end of the town. * Turn right at the crossroads. lose lose your way When you lose your way you do not know where you are or you cannot find the way to where you want to be: * A thick mist came down on the mountain and we lost our way. * We lost our way, but, fortunately, we had a road map in the car. lost we're lost You say we're lost when you and a companion do not know where you are or cannot find the way to where you want to be: * We're lost. Where's the map? * We're lost. We're going to have to stop and ask someone for directions. straight straight on If you go straight on you do not turn right or left but go in a straight line: © We turned right when we should have gone straight on. * Drive straight on through the town. stranger I'm a stranger here You say I'm a stranger here when you are unfamiliar with a place and someone has asked you for directions: * I'm sorry. | can’t tell you how to get to the railway station. I'm a stranger here. * I'm sorry. | can’t give you directions. I'm a stranger here. take ... When you are giving someone directions you often say take instead of go, drive or turn: * Take the first road to your left as you leave the town. * Take the second left turn at the roundabout. tell can you tell us how to get to ...? You say can you tell us how to get to somewhere? when you cannot find the way to where you want to be and are asking for directions: * Can you tell us how to get to the airport? * We're looking for Blackford Castle. Can you tell us how to get to it? way tell someone the way to ... If youtell someone the way to somewhere you tell them how to get to where they want to go: * | couldn't find the castle, but someone in the tourist office told me the way to it. * One of the nurses told us the way to the ward where my mother was. You can also say tell someone how to get to... * The policeman told us how to get to the railway station.Answer the following questions. What is a roundabout? Oo If you don’t turn left and you don’t turn right what direction do you go? Why is a crossroads so called? oO Under what circumstances would you use I’m a stranger here? Eh When you are giving directions, what verb would you usually use instead of go or drive? Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 We've lost our . Is there a map in the car? 2 Could you give us______to the hospital? My friend has hurt himself. 3 Wedid _____ someone the way but he directed us wrongly. 7172 about the weather Jack was due to go on holiday the next day to visit his sister Meg and her family at their beach holiday house. It was a beautiful place and it usually had a very pleasant climate. ‘Hello, Meg,’ he said. ‘I hope to be with you about lunchtime tomorrow, as arranged. What's the weather like? | hope the sun is shining’ ‘Hello, Jack!’ said Meg, ‘We're looking forward to seeing you! It’s been unsettled this week and it was cloudy and rainy at the end of last week, but it’s a beautiful day today. The good news is that the weather forecast says that it’s going to be fine for the next few days and it’s going to be warm! ‘That's good said Jack. ‘I'm longing for some sunshine.’ ‘Why?’ asked Meg. ‘How's the weather there?” ‘Ws cold and it’s wet replied Jack. In fact, its like winter rather than summer. According, to the forecast, this weather's to continue, too. 'm glad I'm getting away! ‘Well said Meg, ‘the weather's not so nice here as it usually is. When I and the kids arrived it was very hot, but it was very humid and so it wasn't at all pleasant. Then we had one or two really bad thunderstorms and that cleared the air a bit’ ‘We had some sunshine here at the beginning of the month; said Jack. Then it got really foggy and there were two or three bad car accidents on the motorway. Since then it’s, poured with rain most days and it’s freezing! I've even had to have the central heating on-and it’s mid-summer! I've given up listening to the weather forecast because it’s so depressing! They can say what they like about global warming, but it’s not getting any warmer here—although it's getting wetter: ‘I think it might be affecting this part of the world,’ said Meg, ‘It does seem to be a bit hotter than usual, but it’s also a lot more humid and wetter, which isn’t so good. We've noticed that the weather isn’t as reliable as it was when we first bought this place. ‘ts bound to be better than its here!’ said Jack ‘I must go and pack. Ill see you tomorrow!’beautiful a beautiful day You say that it’s a beautiful day when it is dry, warm and sunny: * [twas a beautiful day and so we took the children to the zoo. * Sara and Jim got a beautiful day for their wedding. cloudy You say that the weather is cloudy when the sky is full of grey clouds, itis quite dark and it looks as though it might rain: * We got a cloudy day for the children’s picnic, but it didn’t actually rain. * It was cloudy in the morning and it was raining heavily by evening. fine You say that the weather is fine when it is dry and bright: * It wasn’t a very warm day, but it was fine. * It was fine in the morning, but it began to rain in the afternoon. foggy When the weather is foggy it is not clear and itis difficult to see properly because of a cloud of very small drops of water over the land or sea: * It was very foggy and the driver could hardly see the road in front of him + The people on the ship did not see the boat because it was very foggy. forecast according to the forecast When you say according to the forecast you mean that you are basing your remarks on the weather on the radio or television reports that say what the weather is expected to be like: * According to the (weather) forecast, it's going to be a fine day. * According to the (weather) forecast, it will be fine this afternoon. freezing The word freezing is used informally to mean that it is very cold: * It's freezing in this house today because the central heating has broken down. * [twas freezing when we got up in the moming but it got a bit warmer later in the day. Language Help The word freezing can also mean having temperatures below freezing point. humid When the weather is humid the air feels warm and wet: * The area has a warm climate, but it is usually humid and so is not very pleasant. © We all felt very tired as it was a hot, very humid day. rain it pours with rain When it pours with rain it rains heavily: * It poured with rain the morning of the picnic and we had to cancel it. 7374 * We hope it doesn’t pour with rain on the day of the wedding, rainy You say it's rainy when it rains a lot: * [twas rainy day and we were all carrying umbrellas. * It was rainy all day, but it was dry in the evening. thunderstorm A thunderstorm is a storm in which there is thunder and lightning and, usually, heavy rain * We sheltered from the thunderstorm in a barn. * The children were frightened by the noise of the thunderstorm. unsettled When the weather is unsettled it keeps changing within quite a short period of time: * During the past week the weather has been very unsettled. *° Its usually warm and dry at this time of year here, but recently the weather has been unsettled and we've had quite a lot of rain. warming global warming Global warming is a gradual increase in the world's temperatures weather how's the weather? You ask how's the weather? when you want. to know whether it is sunny, rainy, warm or cold, ete: * How's the weather in that part of the world at this time of year? * How's the weather there just now? Will | need to take along a waterproof jacket? what's the weather like? You ask what's the weather like? when you want to know whether it is sunny, rainy, warm or cold, etc: * What's the weather like there at this time of year? * What's the weather like there just now? Will | need to take a warm sweater with me? You can also ask what kind of weather is ie? *¢ What kind of weather is it with you today? | was wondering what to wear. weather forecast listen to the weather forecast When you listen to the weather forecast you listen to one of the regular radio or television reports that say what the weather is expected to be like. wet When the weather is wet it rains a lot: * The area has warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters. * It looks as though it's going to be wet today. You'd better take an umbrellaAnswer the following questions. The word freezing can refer to temperatures which are below freezing point. What else can it mean when it is used informally? FEI How does the air feel when it’s humid? How do you describe weather that is dry and bright? EBh Give two expressions which have the same meaning as what kind of weather is it? Ih Give two adjectives which describe the weather when it rains a lot. When the weather changes a lot within a short period of time you can describe it as “changeable”. What adjective from the passage could you also use? How might you find out what kind of weather it is going to be? What verb in the passage is associated with heavy rain?76 Jim and Anne were going out for dinner to celebrate their wedding anniversary. The restaurant to which they were going was a very popular one and so Jim had booked a table some days before. When they got to the restaurant one of the waiters took their coats, having first asked Jim, ‘Have you made a reservation, sir?” Jim replied that he had done so and the waiter led them to their table. ‘Here is the menu. The table d’hote section is at the front and the a la carte section is at the back. There are some specials on the blackboard. Would you like to see the wine list?’ ‘Yes, please; said Jim as they began to study the menu. They decided to choose from the a la carte section of the menu as it was considerably cheaper than the table d’hote and, in any case, offered a wide choice. ‘As they were looking at the wine list the waiter returned to ask, ‘Would you like a drink before dinner?” ‘No, thank you, said Jim. ‘We'll just order some wine, but could you bring it right away? Weill have some before we eat’ The waiter brought the bottle of dry white wine which Jim had ordered and said, ‘Would you like to taste the wine? Anne said that she would and the waiter poured a small amount into her glass. That's very nice, said Anne and the waiter filled both their glasses. Then he asked, ‘Are you ready to order or would you like a few more minutes?” Jim and Anne said that they were ready to order. Anne said, ‘I would like the asparagus to start with and then the salmon! Jim said, ‘Il have the melon and the swordfish, please’ They both found the food delicious and filling and when the waiter asked, ‘Would you like to see the dessert menu?’ they had to say ‘no’. ‘Can | get you some coffee, then—or something else to drink?’ he asked.Jim said, ‘We won't have anything else, thank you. Could we have the bill, please, and could you order a taxi for us? It seems to be raining heavily’ The waiter retuned with the bill. Jim paid it with his credit card and they both thanked him, It had been a very enjoyable evening, bill could we have the bill, please? You say could we have the bill, please? at the end of a meal when you are ready to pay: * No, we won't have any coffee, thank you. Could we have the bill? * Could we have the bill, please? We're in a hurry. Language Help You can also say can we have the bill, please? In American English it is common to say can we have the check, please? and this is occasionally found in British English also: * We don't want anything else, thank you. Can we have the check? It is quite common, especially in a busy, noisy restaurant, for someone who wishes to have the bill to pretend to be writing something in the air to let the waiter know what they want. can can | get you ...? Waiters in restaurants often say can I get you .? or can | bring you ...? when they are asking you if you want something: * Can I get you some more coffee? * Can I bring you some more bread? carte ala carte On ana la carte menu there is a large list of dishes in which each dish is priced separately: | just want a main course and I'll choose it from the a la carte. * We usually have the table d‘hote menu but we're celebrating tonight and so we're going to have the a la carte. It’s more expensive to order from it but it gives us much more choice. else we won't have anything else, thank you You say we won't have anything else, thank you in a restaurant when you have had enough to eat and drink and do not want to order any more: * We won't have anything else, thank you. Could we have the bill, please? * That was a delicious meal, but we won't have anything else, thank you. have I'll have ... You say I'll have ... in a restaurant when you are telling the waiter what you want to eat and drink: 7778 * I'll have the soup and the chicken, please. * I'll just have the vegetable lasagne and a mixed salad, please. here here is ... Waiters in restaurants often say here is ... when ‘they are handing you something: * Here is the wine list, sir. ° Here is the list of desserts. They also use this is ... in the same way: * This is the ala carte menu, sir. * This is the monkfish. like | would like ... You say | would like ... in a restaurant when you are telling the waiter what you want to eat and drink: * 1 would like the stuffed mushrooms followed by the monkfish, please. * I would like the vegetable soup and the beef stew, please. would you like . Waiters in restaurants say would you like ...? when they are asking you if you want something: * Would you like a drink before dinner? * Would you like some bread? * Would you like to see the wine list? * Would you like to have a look at the dessert menu? order are you ready to order? Waiters in restaurants say are you ready to order? when they want to know if you have decided what you want to eat and drink: * Are you ready to order? What would you like? * Are you ready to order or would you like a few more minutes to decide? could you order a taxi? You say could you order a taxi? if you want someone in the restaurant to telephone a taxi firm and send a taxi for you: * It’s raining heavily. Could you order a taxi for us? * Could you order a taxi? We're going to Bridge Street. reservation make a reservation You make a reservation when you ring a restaurant before you go and tell them what day and time you would like to have a meal there: * The restaurant is always busy on Saturday nights, We had better make a reservation * It’s my wife’s birthday on Friday. I’m going to ring the new French restaurant and make a reservation for dinner. Waiters often ask you if you have made a reservation by saying Do you have a reservation?: * Good evening. Do you have a reservation? You can also use make a reservation in a similar way in connection with a hotel room, a seat on a plane, etc: * 1 tried to make a reservation for this evening's flight to New York, but it’s full * You should ring and make a reservation right away if you want to stay at the hotel on the night of the wedding. It is bound to be very busy. Aless formal expression meaning the same as make a reservation is book a table. See below under table.special A special in a restaurant is a dish which is available for one day only, sometimes at a cheaper price than usual: * The special today is chicken with parsley sauce. ‘* The printed menu doesn’t change here very often but there are always several specials on offer. table book a table You book a table when you ring a restaurant before you go and tell them what day and time you would like to have a meal there: * Please call up the restaurant and book a table for tonight at eight. * To celebrate his promotion, Tom has booked a table for ten persons at the Chinese restaurant. Waiters often ask you if you have made a reservation by saying have you booked?: * We're full this evening, sir. Have you booked? You can also use the word book in this way with reference to a seat on a train, a seat in a theatre, a hotel room, etc: * Ibooked a single room here for tonight and tomorrow night. * You should book a seat if you're going to travel on that train. It’s always crowded. Amore formal expression meaning the same as book a table is make a reservation. table d’hote Ona table d’hote menu the meal costs a fixed price and there are only a limited number of dishes to choose from: © ItS quite an expensive restaurant, but the table d’hote menu is very good value for money. *° The table d’‘hote menu here doesn’t offer a very wide choice. I think we should look at the a la carte one.80 Answer the following questions. EW ina restaurant, what is the opposite of a table d'hote menu? oi With reference to dining in a restaurant, what is a less formal expression which means the same as make a reservation? What is the American English equivalent of could we have the bill, please? By Rewrite each sentences, replacing the expression in colour with an expression from the passage that is similar in meaning: 1. This is the wine list. 2 I'll have the sole and orange sauce. 3. Can | bring you some water? Eh insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 We won't have anything ____, thank you. 2 Are your ready to_______ or would you like some more time to read the menu? 3 Do you have a____ ? No? Then Im afraid we cannot give you a table. We're full tonight.Anna had just returned from a holiday abroad to discover that her much-loved dog, Patch, had died in her absence. He was a very old dog and had died of a heart attack in his sleep. It had happened on the very last day of her holiday and Anna’s parents had decided to wait until her return before they told her about the dog’s death. After she had told her daughter the bad news about her pet, Anna‘s mother said, ‘I'm sorry about Patch’s death, Anna. | know how much you loved him, but at least he didn’t suffer much pain before he died’ Her father said, ‘What a pily it was that Patch died when you were away and that you didn’t get to say goodbye to him, but he was very old and his heart had become very weak’ Several of Anna‘s friends and relatives came to offer her their condolences. Her friend Pat came round right away to say, ''m so sorry to hear about Patch’s death. feel for you. As you know, my dog died last year and | haven't got over her death yet’ Anna’s friend Jean had something similar to say. ‘You must be feeling terrible, Anna. | can really sympathize with you. | know how miserable | was when my cat died. | wept for days’ ‘twas a shame that poor Patch died when you were away, said Anna’s sister, Amy, ‘but I'm sure that Mum and Dad took very good care of him. Try not to grieve too much. He had a very happy life with you and he was very old’ ‘What a shame it was that you weren't here when Patch died,’ said Anna’s brother, ‘but there was nothing you could have done. At least he wasn't in pain before he died’ "You have my sympathy, Anna’ said her Aunt Liz. ‘Losing a pet is a terrible experience. Ive lost three dogs now and I'm still sad about them all.’ Anna was grateful that everyone was being so sympathetic, but it didn't really help. Every time she looked at Patch’s empty basket and dog collar she wanted to cry. 81= condolence offer condolences You offer someone condolences when someone they loved has died. It is a fairly formal expression and is found mostly in written English: + Iwas so sorry to hear of the death of your mother and | am writing to offer you my condolences. * I would like to offer you my condolences on the death of your grandfather. He was a most remarkable man. feel | feel for you You say | feel for you to show that you feel sympathy for someone, often when you have experienced a similar situation: * I feel for you. I know that having to have a dog put down is a very distressing ‘experience. * [hear you're waiting for a heart operation. | feel for you. | had the same operation last year. However, I’m quite well now and I'm sure that you will soon be well too. pity what a pity You use what a pity when you want to say that something that has happened is unfortunate and that you feel sorry about it: * What a pity it is that Jim and Mary have got divorced. They have four children who are very upset. © What a pity it was that my brother didn’t get to the hospital in time to say goodbye to my grandfather before he died. He was very distressed about it and we all sympathized with him. shame what a shame You say what a shame when you want to say that something that has happened is unfortunate and that you feel sorry about it: * I've just heard that Jim has broken his ankle. What a shame! He had just been chosen to play for the school football team. * What a shame! Mike's car broke down on the way to the airport and he missed his flight. sorry I'm sorry You say I'm sorry to someone when you feel sadness and sympathy for them because something bad has happened to them or because someone dear to them has died: © I'msorry that you lost your job. | hope you soon find another one. * I'm sorry to hear that your grandmother died. You must miss her very much. I'm so sorry is a more emphatic form of this: * I'm 0 sorry to hear that your cat was run over. It’s terrible to lose a pet. # 'mso sorry to hear that you are in hospital. hope you will recover soon. sympathize I sympathize with you When you say I sympathize with you you mean that you understand how sad or hurt someone is feeling and feel sorry for them, often because you have had a similar experience:© It’s terrible that you lost your job so suddenly. | sympathize with you. The same thing happened to me a few years ago. | hear that your house has been burgled. | sympathize with you. We were burgled last year and | still don’t feel safe in the house, sympathy you have my sympathy When you say you have my sympathy you mean that you understand how sad or hurt someone is feeling and feel sorry for them, often because you have had a similar experience: * Tom told me that you're having difficulty in finding a flat to rent here. You have my sympathy. | tried last year for ages without success. We eventually decided to move to the suburbs. « | hear that you think that your boss is treating you unfairly because you are a woman. | sympathize with you, but if you're to complain about it, you must have proof.84 Answer the following questions. What expression in the passage means the same as what a pity? Ey what is a more emphatic form of I'm sorry? Under what circumstances would you offer someone your condolences? By insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 Your sister told me that you are being bullied at work. You have my . | had to leave my last job because that happened to me. 2 I've heard that your landlord just refuses to do any repairs to your flat and|_____ with you. | had to take my landlord to court to get repairs done. 3. | know that you've just lost your mother and | _ mother died two years ago and | still miss her. for you. MyLucy and Sue had decided to take a break from studying one evening to go and have some coffee. They had arranged to meet at their favourite high-street coffee bar. ‘You go and get a table and I'll order the coffee. It looks as though it’s getting very busy, said Sue. ‘What are you going to have?’ ‘Id like a white coffee, thanks’ said Lucy. ‘Would you like anything to eat” asked Sue. ‘No, thanks’ replied Lucy. ‘Studying makes me hungry’ said Sue. ‘ll have a chocolate muffin and a large black coffee to help keep me awake’ Sue took a place in the queue at the counter and soon the assistant asked, ‘What can | gel your” ‘VII have one white coffee and one large black coffee, please, said Sue. ‘To go or to stay?’ asked the assistant. "To stay, replied Sue. ‘Anything else?’ asked the assistant when she handed over the coffees. ‘One chocolate muffin, please, said Sue. ‘How much is that?’ asked Sue when the assistant brought the muffin. ‘That's $12 exactly,’ said the assistant. When Sue had paid her she said, There's sugar on the tables if you want it. Help yourself! Have a nice day!’ Sue carried the coffees to the table where Lucy was sitting, “Thanks! What do I owe you?’ Lucy asked. “Don't worry about it! replied Sue. ‘You can pay the next time, if you like. I'm sure we'll be going out for lots of coffee while we're studying for our exams. 8586 They chatted while they drank their coffee and Sue asked Lucy, ‘Would you like another one?’ ‘No, thanks, said Lucy. ‘I've had enough. | really must get back to my books. ‘So must | and there are people waiting for tables, said Sue. ‘We should go! Just then two women came up and said to Sue and Lucy, ‘Are these seats taken? indicating the two empty seats at their table. ‘No. Please sit down/ said Lucy. In any case, we were just leaving” The two friends left the coffee bar and returned to their studies. another would you like anether one? You say would you like another one? when you are asking someone if they would like to have something like the thing that they have just eaten or drunk: * You've finished your glass of wine. Would you like another one? * “That was a delicious cake.’ ‘Would you like another one?’ anything anything else? Awaiter or shop assistant says anything else? when they want to know if you want to buy something else or if you are ready to pay for what you have bought: * ‘That's a black coffee and a piece of chocolate cake. Anything else?’ ‘No, thank you. That's all.’ Another form of this expression is will there be anything else?: * Will there be anything else today? day have anice day! This expression is a conventional greeting used by shop assistants after they have served you. It is particularly common in American English, although it is now found occasionally in British English: That's $30 change. Have a nice day! * | hope you enjoyed your coffee. Have a nice day! enough I've had enough You say I've had enough when you do not want anything more to eat or drink: * ‘Would you like some more wine?” ‘No, thanks. I've had enough.”* ‘Do you want another slice of cake?’ ‘No, thank you. It was delicious, but I've had enough.’ go to go The expression to go means that you are going to take whatever food or drink you have bought away from the shop or restaurant and are not going to eat or drink it there: * One white coffee to go, please. * Two cheeseburgers to go, please. site of this is to stay (see below). have Vil have ... You say I'll have ... in a restaurant, coffee bar, etc, when you are telling the waiter what you want to eat and drink: * I'll have two beers, please. * Mhave fish and chips, please. help help yourself! Awaiter or shop assistant says help yourself! when you have to give yourself some form of food or drink rather than being served with it: * There is salad dressing on the counter. Help yourself! * The salads are on that table over there. Help yourself! leave we were just leaving Ina restaurant, coffee bar, etc, you say we were just leaving when someone is looking fora table to sit at and you have just finished what you were eating or drinking and are ready to go: * Please have this table. We were just leaving. * Do sit here! We were just leaving. like ''d like ... You say I'd like ... in a restaurant, coffee bar, etc, when you are telling the waiter what you want to eat and drink: * I'd like two glasses of red wine, please. * I'd like the salmon salad, please. much how much is that? You say how much is that? when you ask someone how much money you need to pay them for what you have bought: © We had two glasses of red wine and two beers. How much is that? * Two white coffees and two slices of chocolate cake. How much is that? The expression what do | owe you? (see below) has the same meaning: A very informal expression what's the damage? also has the same meaning. * We've had four glasses of white wine and two whiskies. What's the damage? owe what do | owe you? You say what do | owe you? when you ask someone how much money you need to pay them for what you have bought: * | don‘twant anything else today, thank you. What do | owe you? * Thank you for repairing my bike so quickly. What do | owe you? 87Language Help You also use how much is that? (see above) in this way: * I don't need anything else today, thank you. How much is that? seat are these seats taken? You say are these seats taken? when you are in a restaurant, coffee bar, theatre, train, etc, are looking for somewhere to sit and see seats that appear to be empty or unused: ° ‘Are these seats taken?’ ‘No. Please do sit down.’ * ‘Are these seats taken?’ “Yes, I'm afraid they are. Our friends will be arriving very shortly.’ stay to stay The expression to stay means that you are going to eat or drink whatever food or drink you have bought in the restaurant or shop: ¢ I'd like a hamburger and French fries to stay. * I want a bacon roll to stay, please that that’s ... You say that's ... when you tell someone what something costs or how much the bill is: * Two coffees and two cakes. That's $13, please. * You've had two hamburgers and two mineral waters. That's $17, please. what what are you going to have? You say what are you going to have? when you ask someone what they want to eat or drink, especially in a restaurant, bar, etc: © What are you going to have? | think I'll have a glass of beer. * ‘What are you going to have?’ “Ill just have a cheese salad. I'm not very hungry.’ what can I get you? You say what can | get you? when you ask someone in a restaurant or bar what they want to buy, especially when you area waiter, a shop. assistant, etc: * ‘What can I get you” “Two glasses of red wine, please.” * ‘What can I get you?” “Two cheese salads, please.” worry don’t worry about it! You use don’t worry about it! when you are telling someone not to bother paying the money which they owe you: * ‘Have you paid? What's my share of the bill?” ‘Don't worry about it! It wasn’t very much.’ © Tell me how much the bill is.’ ‘Don’t worry about it! You paid last time.’Answer the following questions. Replace the expression in colour in each sentence with an expression from the passage which has the same meaning. 1 We're going to have to leave now. What's the damage? 2 I'll have two teas and two slices of carrot cake. El With reference to ordering food in a restaurant, what is the opposite of to stay? What conventional farewell greeting used by sales assistants is common in American English and also found occasionally in British English? TB what expression in the passage do you use when you are telling someone that they should serve themselves? FEF insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 Have these seats. We were just 2 If you've finished, let’s get the bill. I've had z 3 You've finished your coffee. Would you like _ one? 4 There's your coffee. else? 89The Jackson family were taking a holiday in the country. As soon as they had unpacked they all took a walk to explore the area. Peter, the youngest son, said excitedly, ‘Look, there's a big pond! We can go swimming there! ‘You mustn't go anywhere near that pond unless your dad or | or Ben is with you. Apparently, it’s quite deep and you've only just learnt to swim, said his mother. Just then she saw her middle son, John, about to open a gate and called, ‘Don't do that, John!’ ‘| thought we could go down to the village through this field, John called back. ‘You can’t go through that field! There’s young corn growing there and the farmer would be very annoyed. The people who rented the cottage to us told me that he doesn’t allow strangers to wander over his property. Look at the sign on the gate! It says “No trespassers!’ Mr Jackson said, ‘The farmer certainly seems to want to keep people away. Look at the sign on the farm gate. This says “Beware of the dog!" Suddenly a large black dog appeared, barking loudly and scratching at the gate, ‘Don't go near it! called Mrs Jackson to Peter and John. ‘It looks very fierce’ ‘Look out, Mum!’ called Lucy, the Jackson’s only daughter. There's a tractor coming’ By this time they had reached a wood and the two younger boys were climbing trees. ‘Be careful, boys" called their mother. ‘Don't climb up too far!’ ‘They'll be all right/ said their father. ‘Playing here will do them good. They don't get much of a chance to play outside in the city. However, his wife was already calling to Lucy, Take care, Lucy! Don't walk too dose to the river bank. You might slip! And look! There's a sign saying ‘Danger! Disused quarry?” Keep away from there!’Mrs Jackson was so busy worrying about all the accidents that her children might have in the country that she failed to hear the noise of an engine behind her. ‘Watch out, Mum!’ called Ben. ‘There’s another tractor behind you! ‘Country life is meant to be peaceful, but | think it’s too stressful for me, said Mrs Jackson. beware beware of A sign saying beware of (something or someone)! is put there to warn people of the presence of something or someone that may hurt or harm them: * Don't go into that field! There is a sign on the gate saying ‘Beware of the bull!’. * Hold on tight to your bag. There’s a sign over there saying ‘Beware of pickpockets!’ The sign warning! has a similar meaning: * The car driver did not see the sign saying “Warning! Roadworks ahead!". «* There’s.a sign at the entrance to the building site saying ‘Warning! Lorries turning!’. care take care! You say take care! when you are telling someone to act in a careful way and not do anything thats likely to be dangerous or risky: © Take care! The roads are very icy. * Take care! People tend to drive very fast along that road. careful be careful! This expression means the same as take care!: * Be careful! Don’t walk too near to the edge of the cliff! * Be careful! The garden path is very muddy and you might slip. danger! A sign saying danger! is put there to warn people of the presence of something or someone that may hurt or kill then: * This isn't a very safe path. There's a sign saying ‘Danger! Falling rocks!’ * We'd better not swim here. There's a sign saying ‘Danger! Strong currents!” You say don't ...! to someone as a warning to them not to do something that may hurt or harm them: * Don't drive fast along there! It's a very narrow road, * Don’t swim there! The water isn’t very clean.92 keep keep away from ...! You say keep away from (something)! to someone as a warning to them not to go near something that may hurt or harm them: ° Keep away from the edge of the cliffl You might fall over! * Keep away from the barn! It's on fire! look look out! You say look out! to someone as a warning to act carefully or to get out of the way in case they hurt or harm themselves: * Look out! Don’t step on that broken glass! © Look out! This road’s very icy! must you mustn’t You say you mustn’t ... to someone as a waning to them not to do something that may hurt or harm them: © You mustn’t go near that old building! It’s not safe! * You mustn't eat the berries from that plant! They're poisonous! trespasser no trespassers! A sign saying no trespassers! is put up by someone who does not want other people going on their land without permission: * We can't walk along that path. There is a notice saying ‘No trespassers!’. * We thought of having a picnic in the field by the river, but there was a sign saying ‘No trespassers!’. Language flelp Sometimes the sign says ‘Trespassers will be prosecuted!’. This means that the owner of the land will take legal action against anyone found on the land without their permission. watch watch out! You say watch out! to someone as a warning to act carefully orto get out of the way in case they hurt or harm themselves: * Watch out! This path is very muddy! * Watch out! There’s car coming! Language Hele The expression mind out! is used in the same way: * Mind out! There’s a lorry trying to overtake you!Answer the following questions. Write down an expression from the passage which has the same meaning as take care! and use it in a sentence. |B | Some people do not want anyone going on their land without their permission. What is the noun used to refer to a person who does go on someone's land without permission? What sign is put up to warn people who do go on someone's land without permission that legal action will be taken against them? By There are two expressions in the passage which have the same meaning as the expression mind out! Give both of these and show how one of them is used. Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 Keep __ from the cooker. It’s very hot. 2. There's a dog barking and the sign says ‘Beware __ the guard dog!’ 3 ___ touch the dog! It might bite you. 4 You go along the cliff path. It’s not safe. 9394 It was a hot day and the Brown family were at the beach with their son, Mike, their daughter, Sara, and some of the children’s friends. ‘It's so hot that | need some ice cream to cool me down, said Mr Brown. Would anyone else like one?’ When most of the party said that they would also like some ice cream, Mr Brown asked, ‘What flavour does everyone want? What does everyone like or dislike?” like chocolate ice cream; said Sara, ‘and so I'll have that” 1 love chocolate ice cream, too said Sara's friend Meg, ‘but like strawberry best. I have that, please.’ ‘I like chocolate very much, too, said Mary, another of Sara's friends, ‘but my favourite flavour is lemon. They don’t always have it, though’ ‘Vil ask; said Mr Brown. They have quite a good selection. I'll get you chocolate if they don't have lemon, shall 1?” ‘1m not very fond of chocolate, said Mrs Brown, ‘and! hate any flavour of ice cream that tastes of toffee. It’s far too sweet for me. prefer raspberry, but they might not have it. III have strawberry if they don't, please’ ‘And, as you know, ! detest anything with nuts in it’ said Mr Brown. ‘I'm going to have plain vanilla, What about you boys?” ‘like chocolate bars and so on,’ said Mike, ‘but! can’t stand chocolate ice cream for some reason. I'l have strawberry, please.’ ‘know it's unusual, but 'm not very keen on ice cream at all; said Bill.'d rather have an orange juice, please, if that’s OK’ ‘And | actually loathe it’ said Bob. ‘It’s too sweet and it makes me feel sick. Ill have an orange juice, too, if that’s all right’ ‘Itis unusual not to like ice cream, especially when you're young’ said Mrs Brown, ‘but I'm not mad about it myself. It's just when the weather's very hot that it sometimes appeals to me.’Mr Brown had been writing down everyone's requests and now said, ‘Right! | think I've got a note of what everyone wants. Ill go and gel them but I'll need some help to carry it all’ Mike helped his father and everyone enjoyed whatever they had chosen. appeal «+ appeals to me You say that something appeals to you when you like it or you find it attractive or interesting: * I'mtrying to decide where to go on holiday. Greece has always appealed to me, although I've never been there. * The film that’s on at the local cinema will probably appeal to the children. | think I'll take them to it. Language Help When you don't like something or don't find it attractive or interesting, you say that that something doesn’t appeal to you: * I usually like Indian food, but it doesn’t appeal to me today. | think I'll go to the local Italian restaurant. dislike You say that you dislike something when you do not like it. The word is not as strong as the word hate (see below): * Idislike red meat and never eat it. * | dislike my new job and plan to find another one as soon as possible. detest I detest ... You say I detest something or someone when you dislike them very, very much. The word is even stronger than the word hate: * I detest liver. It makes me feel sick. + I'mcertainly not asking Sara to my birthday party. | absolutely detest her. fond I'm not very fond of ... You say I'm not very fond of something when you do not really like that something: * I'm not very fond of spicy food. * [read lot of fiction, but I'm not very fond of biography. hate Thate ... You say I hate something or someone when you dislike them very much: * hate living in the city. I'm going back to live in the country as soon as possible. ‘That Frank. He’s so rude to everyone, even his teachers. keen I'm not very keen on ... You say I'm not very keen on something when you do not really like that something: * | like most green vegetables, but I'm not very keen on broccoli. * like going to the cinema, but I'm not very keen on violent films. 95like I like ... You say | like something when you enjoy it or think that it is pleasant: ° I like chicken dishes. [like dancing. I like ... best You say I like (something) best when you like it better than anything else of a similar kind: « | like most vegetables, but I like green beans best. * | enjoy most sports, but | like tennis best. loathe I loathe ... You say I loathe something or someone when you dislike them very, very much. The word is even stronger than the word hate and has much the same meaning as detest (see above): » Jim wanted me to go to the theatre with him, but it’s a musical that's on and | loathe musicals, * Don't ask Peter to dinner if you're asking Lucy. They used to go out together, but they now loathe each other. love Ilove ... You say | love something when you like something very much: * I love my mother’s apple pie. * [love the autumn. | like it better than the summer months, When you say I love someone you have very strong warm feelings for them, sometimes of a romantic nature: * The children love their father very much. * Jane and John love each other and want to. get married. % mad I'm not mad about ... You say I'm not mad about something when you do not really like it. The expression is used in an informal context: * I'm not mad about pizza, but I like pasta dishes. * I'm not mad about opera, but Jane had no one else to go with. Language Help If you say I'm mad about something you mean that you like it very much. The ‘expression is used in an informal context: © The boys are both mad about football. prefer I prefer ... You say I prefer something when you like it better than something else: * I prefer fish to meat. * I prefer the theatre to the cinema, stand I can’t stand ... You say | can’t stand something or someone when you dislike them very much: * I can’t stand salmon, although | like most other fish. * I can't stand Jack's new girl friend. She talks about herself all the time.Answer the following questions. Write down two verbs from the passage which mean the same as hate but express stronger feeling. EB What verb from the passage would you use if you want to indicate that you like something better than something else? Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 can't ___ the noise from the flat above any longer. I’m going to complain. 2 I'mnot about living here, but it’s cheap and it’s near my work. The idea of living somewhere warm won't even consider it. __ to me, but my husband I'm not very fond ____ beach holidays but Im renting a cottage by the seaside for the sake of the children. I'm not very ___ on accepting the job, but jobs in this area are scarce and it’s well paid. 798 John and Anne were trying to decide where to go on holiday. Anne had suggested asking her friend Amy, who worked in a London travel agent's, for some advice. She had always given them good advice in the past. John had thought of Australia, but Amy said, I wouldn't advise you to go there at this time of year. You would be better to go there in October, which is the start of their summer but still not too hot. Its winter there nowy although it’s never as bad as our winter.” ‘Anne mentioned Kenya. ‘It depends when you want to go; said Amy. ‘A word of advice! You need to allow time to get all the vaccinations against various diseases and that can take some time. If you're thinking of Kenya, | suggest that you ask your doctor about vaccinations as soon as possible’ John said that he was terrified of having needles stuck into him and he wasn't going anywhere that required that. ‘What about somewhere in Europe? You might not want to go to the usual holiday resorts but there are lots of other places to choose from, said Amy. If you did that I'd recommend you to fly and hire a car when you get there. Driving to and from where you want to go can take a considerable part of your holiday’ ‘Anne said that they had been on a lot of European city breaks and were looking for something different. ‘How about North America? You still require a visa for the States, but visas don't usually take long to come through. You could still go there. It's a huge country and there's a lot to choose from. Take my advice, though, and don't try to do too much while you're there. Ive had clients who've driven hundreds of miles and come back exhausted!’ ‘I don't really fancy the States’ said Anne, ‘except New York and I'd rather go there on a short city break, but there's Canada. My mother has several relatives in the Toronto area’ ‘That's a good choice and you can visit Niagra Falls while you're there’ replied Amy. ‘You'd be well advised to book fairly soon, though. Its become a very popular destination. In fact, | propose that you do it right away to be sure of getting a flight’ John and Anne took Amys advice and booked for Toronto the next day. They had a wonderful holiday there.advice ask someone for advice When you ask someone for advice you ask them for information and to give you their opinion about what you should do in a particular situation: * Ifyou want to be a doctor when you leave school, you should ask Jim's father for advice. He's a doctor at one of the city hospitals. * I can’t decide what | want to do when | leave school. I'm going to ask the careers teacher for some advice. give someone advice When you give someone advice you give them information and tell them your opinion about what they should do in a particular situation: * Tom's cousin is a lawyer and he gave me some advice about studying law before | went to university. * Jane lives in the area and was able to give me advice about looking for a flat here. Language Help You can also offer someone some advice: * Let me offer you some advice. You can get the same dress at 2 cheaper price in the shop next door You can also give someone a piece of advice: * Let me give you a piece of advice. Before your job interview find out as much as you can about the firm. take my advice You say take my advice when you are telling someone how you think they should act in a particular situation: * Take my advice and look at several houses in the area before making an offer on one. * Take my advice and ask for a higher starting salary. What they are offering you is very low. take someone's advice When you take someone's advice you listen to what they think you should do in a particular situation and base your actions on this: * | took your advice and planted an apple tree in the back garden. * James took his father’s advice and took a gap year before going to university. a word of advit You say a word of advice! when you are going to tell someone something that you think will help them make the right decision when they are deciding what to do in a particular situation: * | hear you're thinking of buying a flat in this area. A word of advice! Property here costs far more than it's worth. * A word of advice if you're going to see Mary in her new cottage. Go by train! The roads are terrible and it took us far longer than we thought it would. advise | wouldn't advise you to ... You say | wouldn‘t advise you to do something when you are advising someone against doing something * | wouldn't advise you to go to that particular university. Its science courses aren't very good. * [wouldn't advise you to accept that job. You can find something much better. 99100 you'd be well advised to ... You say you'd be well advised to do something when you are telling someone that, if they are sensible, they will follow the advice that you are giving them: * You would be well advised to look for another job immediately. The firm is in financial difficulties. * You would be well advised to leave for the airport right away or you might miss your flight. The traffic is often very heavy at this time of day. better you would be better to ... You say you would be better to do something when you are giving someone advice about how they should act in a particular situation: * You would be better to find out more information about the college course before applying for it. You could get there by bus, but you would be better to go by train if you can afford it. It's much quicker. how how about ...? The expression how about ...? is used in the same informal way as what about ...? (see below): ‘* How about going to the beach today? * How about helping me with the garden today? if if | were you You say if | were you when you are suggesting to someone that something is the best course of action in their situation: * If | were you, | would rent a flat, rather than buy, until you see if you like the area * If were you, | would buy a smaller car. It would be cheaper to run and much easier to park. propose | propose that The expression | propose that is a more formal, sometimes official, way of saying I suggest that (see below): * | propose that we all write letters of complaint to our MP. * I propose that we ask Jane Brown to be club secretary. recommend I'd recommend you to ... You say I'd recommend you to ... when you are suggesting to someone that something is the best course of action in their situation * Id recommend you to stay off work for at least two weeks after the operation. * If you want that hotel for your wedding reception I’d recommend you to book it now. It's extremely popular. suggest I suggest that You say | suggest that when you are telling someone your ideas about what they should do in their particular situation: * I suggest that you go to the Accident and Emergency Department at the hospital right away. * I suggest that your draw up a business plan before asking the bank manager for a loan. what what about ...? You say what about ...? when you are suggesting something informally: * What about going to the cinema this evening? * What about going to the new French restaurant for dinner?Answer the following questions. What expression in the passage is a more formal way of saying I suggest that? Efi insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 You would be ______ to borrow the money from your father than from a bank. 2 Fi you, | would accept the job, even although it’s not exactly what you're looking for. You can always move later. 3. You would be well to stay in your present job until you find another one. 4A of advice! John may be very attractive, but he’s not very trustworthy with women. 5 Let me give you a of advice. Don’t invest in Peter's business without looking carefully at the books. What two expressions in the passage are informal ways of making a suggestion? B What expression would you use to show that you are listening to what someone thinks you should do in a particular situation and that you will base your actions on this? 101102 Meg and Peter were going to get married. Where they were going to live after their marriage was going to be a problem because Meg worked on one side of the city and Peter at the other. ‘Have you thought any more about where you're going to look for a flat, Meg?’ asked her friend Mary. ‘We've thought about it a lot, but we haven't decided yel/ replied Meg. ‘Peter is convinced that it’s sensible to look for somewhere in the city centre so that neither of us would have to travel too much, but I'm not sure whether | want to live there. For one thing, flats in the city centre are very expensive and for another, | think living there might be very noisy.” ‘There's no doubt that living in the suburbs would be quieter,’ said Mary, ‘but housing, in some of them can be even more expensive than in the city centre’ ‘You're right’ said Meg, ‘Property in the area where | work is very expensive. It’s very doubtful if we could afford to buy anything there’ ‘What about where Peter works” asked Mary. ‘It's much cheaper around there,said Meg. ‘I’m certain we could afford quite a reasonable house somewhere there.” ‘Would it be possible for you to get a job in that area, too?’ asked Mary. ‘Then neither of you would have to travel very far to work’ ‘Perhaps. Quite a lot of firms have moved out there in the past few years/ said Meg. ‘Undoubtedly, Id find a job of some kind, but | have to think of my career. Still, it’s definitely something I'm going to think about and maybe Ill make a few enquiries soon. ‘Are you quite happy in your present job?’ asked Mary. ‘Do you not like the idea of moving?”‘Ihave a very good job just now and | like it very much/ said Meg, ‘but the future of the firm's rather uncertain at the moment. There've been two take-over bids recently and no ‘one knows what's likely to happen. It's all rather up in the air, I'm just going to wait and see what happens. I'm sure Ill know what's happening long before the wedding’ ‘Well, good luck with your housing problems, anyway!’ said Mary as she left her friend at the bus stop. it's up in the ai You say that something’s up in the air when no decision has been made about it yet and no one knows what will happen: * Our holiday plans are still up in the air because my husband doesn’t know when he can get away from work. * Interviews have taken place but there's been no announcement about who's getting the manager's job. It’s still up in the air. certain I'm certain You say I’m certain when you are completely sure about something and have no doubts: * I'm certain that the meetings tomorrow night. | wrote the date down in my diary. © I'mcertain that Jim and Mary are married. | was at their wedding. convince be convinced You say that you are convinced when you feel completely sure about something and have no doubts: * 1am convinced that Jim is the right man for the job, but not everyone on the committee agrees with him. * am convinced that that is the man who attacked me. I'm going to phone the police. decide we haven't decided You say we haven't decided when you are still not sure about what you are going to do and have not yet chosen any of the possibilities available to you: * We've discussed various hotels for the wedding reception, but we haven't decided yet. ° We've been offered a choice of flats to rent, but we haven't decided yet. Language Help You can also say we haven't come to a decision or we haven't made up our minds in the same situation: * There are various courses of action open to us, but we haven't come to a decision yet. * The travel agent has offered us package deals to various resorts, but we haven't made up our minds yet. 103definitely You say definitely when there is no doubt about something: * We definitely want to go ahead with the project. * John has definitely got the job, because he showed me the official letter offering him it. doubt there's no doubt You say there's no doubt when something is certainly true’ * There's no doubt that the accused is guilty. He was found with the murder weapon in his hand. * There’s no doubt that Peter deserved the prize. He’s by far the best student in the class. doubtful it’s doubtful You say it’s doubtful when something is unlikely to happen: * It's doubtful whether Jim will be able to play in the match next week. He injured his ankle yesterday. * Experts think that it’s doubtful that this painting is by Van Gogh. Doubtful can also mean not sure about something: * I suggested that we all go in Anne's car, but she looked doubtful about the idea. know no one knows, You say no one knows when something is very uncertain and it is not known what will happen or what has happened: * No one knows what is going to happen to the old church. It is important from an architectural point of view, but it would cost an incredible amount of money to repair. No one knows what happened to the woman who used to live there. She just disappeared one day. maybe You say maybe with reference to something that may be true or to something that may happen, but you are not sure: * I'll maybe go to the cinema this evening. Maybe the bus was late. perhaps You say perhaps with reference to something that may be true or to something that may happen, but you are not sure. Itis slightly more formal than maybe (see above): * Perhaps I'll ask my neighbours to the party. * Perhaps John has decided not to come. He’s very late. sure I'm sure You say I'm sure when you believe or know tt something is true and have no doubts: I'm sure | switched the burglar alarm on before | left the building. | remember checking it. * I'm sure that that is Jean’s car. | know the registration number. I'm not sure You say I'm not sure when you do not know whether something is true or when you have doubts about something: * [think | parked the car here, but I'm not sure. ‘Is that Anne’s sister over there?’ ‘I'm not sure. It’s many years since | last saw her.”uncertain You say that something is uncertain when it is not possible to be sure what will happen to it or what has happened: * The financial state of the company is uncertain. The accountants will give their report when they have studied the books. * The cause of the fatal accident is still uncertain. There is to be an investigation. © The word is of uncertain origin. © itis uncertain whether the school will be closed or not. You say that you are uncertain about something when you are not sure: * Iam uncertain what to do next. undoubtedly You say undoubtedly when you are emphasizing that something is definitely true: © The lorry driver had been drinking and that was undoubtedly the cause of the accident. * He was undoubtedly the best chef in the restaurant. 105Answer the following questions. You say I'm convinced about it when you believe that something is true and have no doubts. What two other expressions in the passage have the same meaning and can be used in the same way? Eh You use the adverb definitely when you are indicating that something is true and about which there is no doubt. What adverb in the passage also has this meaning but is used in a more emphatic way? Use this in a sentence. Write down a word which means the same as perhaps but is slightly more informal. Use it in a sentence. Bo Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 Noone ____ how the fire started. The cause is still being investigated. 2 We don’t know whether or not we're going to sell the house. We haven't come to a_ yet. 3 There is_______ doubt that Jim is capable of doing the job, but he is extremely lazy and doesn't try. 4 The fate of the old building is still ______ in the air, although a group has been formed to try to save it. 5 It's whether Sara will be able to go on holiday to Australia. She still doesn’t have enough money.Peter had had a bad cold for a few days. Instead of getting better it seemed to be getting worse, He didn’t usually bother going to the doctor with just a cold, but he was beginning to feel really ill and he rang and made an appointment. When he saw the doctor, the doctor said, What's the matter with you, Peter? | don’t often see you in my surgery’ 1 feel terrible, Dr Thomson. I've had a cold and it's just getting worse and worse.’ ‘Do you have a fever?’ asked the doctor. ‘I don't know,’ said Peter. ‘I haven'ttaken my temperature, but sometimes | feel hot and sometimes | feel very cold’ ‘You've got a temperature, all right’ said the doctor, when he had taken Peter's temperature with his thermometer. Are you in any pain?” ‘My chest hurts and I've got a sore throat,’ replied Peter, ‘and | have a bad cough, especially at night’ Doctor Thomson took out his stethoscope and examined Peter. ‘You've had a viral infection and there's not much you can do about that except take some painkillers to make you feel better. However, you've now got a bacterial infection and that has to be treated with antibiotics, ll give you a prescription for some and you should start them right away. Youre notallergic to penicillin, are you” Peter said that he was not and Dr Thomson said, These pills will soon cure the infection. Take them three times a day before meals with a little water. I've given youa seven-day course and you must be sure to finish the course. Don't stop taking the pills just because you're feeling slightly better. If you do that the infection will just come back. After you've been to the chemist you should go home to bed and be sure to drink plenty of fluids. Im sure you'll feel better soon’ Peter hoped so too. By this time he just wanted to go home and lie down, However, ina few days he felt much better and in a week hehad fully recovered, The pills had worked. 107108 allergic be allergic to If you are allergic to something you feel ill in some way when you eat or touch it: * Jimisallergic to cats. He sneezes and finds it difficult to breathe when he comes into contact with one. * Lucy is allergic to sea foods. She comes out in a rash when she eats crab, for example. Language Help The expression have an allergy to... means the same as be allergic to + Many people have an allergy to that plant. They get an itchy skin rash whenever they touch it. antibiotics Antibiotics are substances which are able to destroy or prevent further growth of bacteria in the body and so can cure an infection caused by them: + had a serious blood infection last year, but it was cured by antibiotics * After the operation my wound became infected and it had to be treated with antibiotics. cold have a cold When you have a cold you have a common infectious illness which affects the nose and throat, often making you sneeze and cough and making it difficult for you to breathe properly: * | keep sneezing. | think | have a cold. * My elder daughter had a cold and now the baby has caught it from her. cough have/get a cough When you have or get a cough air comes out of your throat with a sudden, short, noisy sound: * I 'mnot going to the concert tonight. | have a cough and | don’t want to disturb other people in the audience. + | always get a cough when there are people smoking near me. course a... course When you are given a ... course of pills or other forms of medicine it means that you have to take them regularly for a certain number of days. Medicines may be given for longer or shorter periods of time, for example, a five-day course or a two-week course: * [have a throat infection and have been prescribed a seven-day course of antibiotics. * lam half-way through a seven-day course of penicillin and my chest infection is already much better. cure Something is said to cure an infection, disease, etc, when it makes it better: * | was given a course of antibiotics which cured my throat infection. * The ointment which the doctor prescribed cured the rash on my arms quite quickly. fever do you have a fever? When someone asks do you have a fever? they are asking if you have a body temperature which is higher than normal, especiallyconsiderably higher than usual. This sometimes happens when you are ill: * You don't look well and your face is very red, Do you have a fever? * You sound as though you have a very sore throat. Do you have a fever? Language Help Another way of saying this is do you have a temperature? See take your temperature below. fluids The word fluids is a more technical word for liquids. Doctors often recommend that you drink a lot of fluids when you are ill: * Could you get me some orange juice and mineral water from the shop? The doctor told me to make sure that | drink plenty of fluids. * There's a jug of water by your bedside and Ill get you some fruit juice. The doctor said that you need to drink a lot of fluids. hurt my chest hurts You say my chest hurts when you have pai in your chest. You also use the expression with reference to other parts of the body: * I slipped on the ice and my ankle hurts. * I've been digging the garden and my back hurts. Language Help Doctors sometimes ask where doesit hurt? when they want their patients to tell them which part of their body is sore: * I'm told you fell backwards from the ladder. Where does it hurt? ill feel ill When you feel ill it means that you do not feel well, as though you were suffering from some illness or disease: * I feel ill. think I'm getting a cold. * | feel ill. |have a headache and my stomach hurts. infection bacterial infection A bacterial infection is one that has been caused by a bacterium or bacteria. A a very small form of plant life which lives in air, earth and water and also on living and dead animals, and can cause disease: * Lucy injured her leg and then got a bacterial infection in the wound. * The vet says that the dog has a bacterial skin infection and has given us an ointment to spread on the affected area. viral infection Aviral infection is one which has been caused by a virus. A virus is a very, very small living thing which is one of the causes of disease in humans, animals and plants. An illness caused in this way is also known as a virus: * Jim's doctor says that he is suffering from a viral infection of the lungs. * Sara is off work with a viral infection. matter what's the matter with you? A doctor says what's the matter with you? when he wants to know in what way someone is ill or in pain and why they have to see a doctor: * Good morning, Mr Jones. What’s the matter with you today?110 * Good morning, Mrs Brown. What's the matter with you? Is your leg sore again? You can also use what's the matter with you? to find out why someone is unhappy, worried, etc: ‘* What's the matter with you, Mary? You look rather anxious. pain are you in any pain? A doctor asks someone are you in any pain? when he or she wants to know if any part of the patient's body is sore: * You have quite a high fever. Are you in any pain? * We believe that the operation was a complete success. Are you in any pain? painkiller take some painkillers Painkillers are pills or other medicines which lessen pain: * If you have a bad headache take some painkillers and go to bed. * If your leg is hurting badly take some painkillers. There is a bottle of paracetamol tablets in the bathroom cabinet. prescription I'll give you a prescription for ... A doctor says I'll give or write you a prescription for something when he writes on a piece of paper details of the medicine which will help cure his patient's illness: * I'll write you a prescription for some strong painkillers. * I'll write you a prescription for some sleeping pills recover have fully recovered When you have fully recovered you are completely cured of an illness: * | had flu last week but | have now fully recovered. * Peter had to have a stomach operation two months ago, buthe has now fully recovered. sore I’ve got a sore throat You say I've got a sore throat when your throat hurts. The expression can also be used with reference to other parts of the body: * I"ve got a sore lip. Is it bleeding? * I’ve got a sore eye. | think | may have an infection in it. temperature take your temperature You take your temperature, which is the measurement of how hot your body is, to find out if it is higher than normal. You take your temperature with a thermometer, which is a device with a scale to measure the heat of your body. When you are ill your temperature is often higher, especially considerably higher, than normal. When your temperature is considerably higher than normal you are said to have a fever: * You sound as though you may have flu. You should take your temperature. * It’s very cold in here and, if you're feeling hot, you may have a fever. You should take your temperature. * Myson says that he is feeling ill, but | have taken his temperature and it is normal. you've got a temperature Someone says to you you've got a temperature when they have taken yourtemperature with a thermometer and have found it to be higher than normal. You usually feel hot to the touch: * You've got a temperature. | think you might have flu. You should go to bed. * You've got a temperature as well as a skin rash. You should call the doctor. See also take your temperature above. terrible \ feel terrible You say | feel terrible when you feel ill: * I've just been sick and I feel terrible! * 1 feel terrible! |'ve got a bad cold. treat When a doctor treats an infection or disease he or she gives the patient some kind of medicine to try to cure it: * I'm going to treat that rash with a steroid ointment. * The doctor treated my eye infection with some eye drops. 111112 Answer the following questions. What instrument do you use when you take your temperature? El If you have a temperature, is your body hotter or lower than the normal body temperature? What is a prescription? By what are bacteria and what do you call an infection that is caused by them? EB what is a more technical term for liquids? Write down an expression which means the same as be allergic to something, What expression do you usually use if you want to say that your throat hurts? Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 I've had a bad throat infection for a couple of weeks and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. I'm going to ask the doctor if need some 2 Take some . They should make your headache less painful. 3 havea and I keep coughing and sneezing.When Sue met some of her friends for coffee she had some very special news to tell them. She had just discovered that she was going to have a baby. ‘That's wonderful news,’ said Lucy. ‘When is the baby due?’ ‘It's due at the end of September, said Sue, ‘and I'm so happy!” “Ben must be thrilled!’ said Jean. Ben was Sue's husband. ‘Yes, he's over the moon about the baby,’ said Sue. ‘He can't wait to be a father. My parents are overjoyed as well. This will be their first grandchild. Ben’s parents are delighted as well, of course, but they already have two grandchildren’ Just then Sara and Anne came into the café and Sara said, ’m so pleased for you! You must be very excited’ ‘Indeed | am and my sister’s ecstatic about it. She's always wanted to be an aunt. She's hoping that the baby will be a little girl so that she can buy her lots of pretty clothes. | don't mind whether it's a boy or a girl. Ill just be glad if i's healthy, no matter what sex itis’ ‘Would Ben prefer a boy or a girl?’ asked Jean. ‘He hasn't said that he has any preferences, but I suspect that he would secretly like a boy so that he can teach him to play football! You know what men are like about football! ‘Perhaps you'll have twins—one of each sex. That would be good! said Anne. ‘No, it wouldn't! laughed Sue. ‘'m worried about how I'll cope with one baby. | certainly couldn't cope with two! At this point they were joined by Tom and Mike. ‘Ive just heard about the baby, Sue’ said Tom, That's great! You must be very happy—and Ben must be pleased as Punch!’ Mike said, ‘Yes, it’s absolutely marvellous! I'm sure you and Ben will make very good parents.” ‘Lhope so,’ said Sue, ‘although we're both rather nervous about the idea. Neither of us has had any experience of looking after young babies. We'll ust have to do our best nie)114 delighted When you are delighted about something you are very pleased: * I'm delighted that you are going to share the flat with us. * I'm delighted that I've got the job. I'm really looking forward to it. ecstatic When you are ecstatic you are feeling very, very happy about something and acting in a very excited way: * James has asked Mary to marry him and she is absolutely ecstatic about the proposal. Peter won the tennis championship and he was absolutely ecstatic about it. At the start of the match he thought his opponent was sure to win. excited When you are excited you are very happy about something, often something that is going to happen, and you show this happiness by acting in a very energetic, eager way: * The children have been asked to a birthday party next week and they are very excited about it. * Mydaughters are both very excited about next week's charity ball. They talk of nothing else. glad When you are glad you are pleased and happy: * Iwas glad to hear that you arrived home safely. * Iwill be glad if | pass at least three exams. I'm not at all hopeful about the other two. great that's great! You say that’s great! in an informal context to show that you are very pleased about something: * ‘John and Sara have announced their engagement.’ ‘That's great! | must go and congratulate them,’ * ‘Lucy and Jean are having a party to celebrate the end of term.’ ‘That's great! | haven't been to a party for a long time. | was too busy studying for the exams. happy I'm so happy! You say I'm so happy! to emphasize how happy and pleased you are: * Myboyfriend's coming home for Christmas! I'm so happy! * I'm so happy! I’ve just heard that I've got a place at the drama college. marvellous it’s marvellous! You say it’s marvellous! to show that you are extremely pleased about something: * It’s marvellous that Jim’s heart operation has been such a success! * It’s marvellous to see you again! moon over the moon When you say that someone is over the moon about something you mean that they are ‘extremely happy and excited about that particular thing. The expression is used in informal contexts:* Mumand Dad are over the moon that we're all going home for Christmas this year * I'm over the moon that Jean's asked me to be bridesmaid at her wedding. news that's wonderful news! You say that’s wonderful news! when you have just heard some news that pleases you very much: ‘Lucy came top of her college class!’ ‘That's wonderful news! | must ring and congratulate her.” ‘Peter has just rung to say he got the job.’ ‘That's wonderful news! | know how much he wanted it.’ overjoyed When you are overjoyed about something you aré extremely happy. It suggests an even stronger emotion than the expression be delighted. * Iwas overjoyed when Peter asked me to marry him. * Lucy was overjoyed at getting a place at Oxford University. pleased I'm so pleased for you! You say I'm so pleased for you! to emphasize how happy you are that something good has happened to someone: * [hear that you've just been promoted. I’m so pleased for you! ¢ I've just heard that you and Jim are getting married. I'm so pleased for you both! pleased as Punch When you are pleased as Punch you are extremely happy about something: * Jack was pleased as Punch when he passed his driving test first time. * Mary was pleased as Punch with her new flat. Punch is a character in the traditional puppet show Punch and Judy. thrilled You say you are thrilled when you are extremely happy and excited about something: * Lucy was thrilled when Sara asked her to be her bridesmaid. * Iwas thrilled to get a letter from my uncle in Australia asking me to visit him. 15116 Answer the following questions. Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 Bill was____ as Punch when he won a free holiday in a competition. Bob was over the __ when Sara agreed to marry him. ‘We've just heard that Jim has been found not guilty by the jury.’ That's wonderful _ ff 4 [hear that you've been accepted for drama college. I'm so pleased you! |B | What does it mean if you say that someone is ecstatic? How do people tend to act if they feel excited? Bo What expression in the passage suggests a stronger degree of happiness or pleasure than delighted? Use this expression in a sentence. EB What informal expression from the passage do people use when they are very pleased about something?Banchester Council were holding a meeting about the town’s increasingly difficult traffic problems. ‘We are all agreed that the present traffic situation in the town is not acceptable,’ said Councillor Wilson, ‘and we really have to come up with a solution’ ‘quite agree with you thata solution to the traffic problem has to be found as soon as possible’ said Councillor Brown. Apart from anything else, people in the town are getling, very angry about it and it’s beginning to keep tourists away. There was a general consensus that the current traffic situation had to be improved and several councillors put forward suggestions. Councillor Black said, ‘I propose that we make the centre of the town a traffic-free zone. That will reduce the traffic congestion in the town, and encourage people to use the high-street shops’ ‘1am in complete agreement with you, said Councillor Jackson. ‘Because itis so difficult to drive to the town centre and to park when you get there, many people are choosing to use the out-of-town shopping malls instead’ ‘1 couldn't disagree with you more, said Councillor Blair. If we ban private cars from the town centre many people will not come in to shop at all’ ‘Ym with you there!’ agreed Councillor Miller. That has happened in other towns which have pedestrianized their town centres and | know that many local businesses are afraid that it may happen here’ ‘agree with you up to a point, said Councillor Jones. People will be reluctant to shop in the centre of the town if we make it difficult for them to get there. But we can improve public transport and encourage car-drivers to use it’ ‘I really must take issue with Councillor Black on his proposal to ban cars from the town centre,’ said Councillor Davis. ‘| myself have a shop in the middle of town and, if we make the town centre a pedestrian-only zone, | know that my shop and all the others will lose even more business.’ 11718 ‘Im afraid | don’t share your view, Councillor Davis,’ said Councillor Jackson. ‘Many people would prefer to shop in a safe, traffic-free zone. And, in any case, we shouldn't think only about the effects on business. Reducing traffic in the town centre would reduce pollution’ At the end of the long meeting several councillors were still at odds with each other and they had to admit that they had failed to reach an agreement on what should be done. The only conclusion that was reached was that another meeting should be called. agree l agree with you up to a point You say | agree with you up to a point to someone when you agree with them partly, but not completely, about something: * lagree you with you up to a point when you say that Jim's not very good at the job, but he’s only been doing it for a week and he’s very keen to learn. I know that you were very critical about the boy's behaviour, and I agree you with you up to a point, but we must remember that he was trying to help his family. I quite agree with you You say | quite agree with you when you agree completely with what someone says: * I quite agree with you that the play was very badly acted. * I quite agree with you that the service in this hotel is very poor we are all agreed You say we are all agreed when you and several other people have the same opinion about something: * We were all agreed that Lucy Smith was the best person for the job. * We were all agreed that the cottage would make a perfect holiday home for the family. The expression there is a general consensus (of opinion that ...) (see below) has the same meaning. agreement lam in complete agreement with You say | am in complete agreement with someone when you want to emphasize that you fully agree with what they say: * | heard what you said about the need to take stronger action against bullying and I am in complete agreement with you. Your English teacher thinks that you need to do some extra studying and | am in complete agreement with her. * amin complete agreement with all you have said about the need for change.You can also use | agree with you wholeheartedly in a similar way: * | know that you think that we need some changes to the school timetable and I agree with you wholeheartedly. reach an agreement When people reach an agreement they have come to the same opinion about something, after some discussion: * Representatives of workers and managements talked all day about wages and working conditions and finally reached an agreement. * The two countries held talks about the border dispute, but failed to reach an agreement. An expression which is used in the same way is come to an agreement: ¢ John and Mary are having an argument over where to hold their wedding. Let's hope they come to an agreement soon or there might not be a wedding. consensus there was a general consensus You say there is a general consensus when a number of people agree about something: * There was a general consensus among the committee members that the plans for the new building should be rejected. * There was a general consensus among the parents that the new principal was very efficient. The expression we are all agreed has the same meaning. The expression we were unanimous ‘emphasizes that no one has disagreed when a number of people have reached a decision: * The meeting to decide what to do about the proposed new building was a short one. We were unanimous in voting against it. * The accused was found guilty of murder. The jury was unanimous. disagree | couldn’t disagree with you more You say | couldn't disagree with you more when you want to emphasize how much you disagree with someone: * | know you think that the school should close, but I couldn’t disagree with you more. It’s a vital part of the community. * I've heard your recommendations for the proposed new building and I couldn’t disagree with you more. We want something that will fit in with the other buildings in the area. You can also say | couldn't agree with you more when you want to emphasize how much you agree with someone: * You wrote that something has to be done about bullying in the school and I couldn't agree with you more. Bullies must be made to realize that they will be punished. 19120 issue take issue with You take issue with someone over something when you disagree strongly with them about. that particular thing and argue with them about it. The expression is used in formal contexts: * Some of the parents took issue with the teacher over her hanalling of the situation. * wish to take issue with you over the poor quality of furniture which | received from your firm odds be at odds with each other People are said to be at odds with each other when they disagree with the opinions of each other and often argue about them: * Workers and management have been at odds with each other over pay for a long time and now the workers have threatened to go on strike. * The two countries are at odds with each other over fishing rights. view share someone’s view When you share someone's view you agree with them: * | share your view about what should be done. Unfortunately the rest of the committee members disagree. © My husband thinks that the children should be given more homework, but don’t share his view. with I'm with you there! You say I'm with you there! when you want to show that you agree with someone. The expression is used in an informal context: * ‘I'm so tired! | wish it were the weekend.’ ‘'m with you there! | feel exhausted.’ * ‘The prices in this shop are far too high.” ‘Tm with you there! Let's go somewhere else!’Answer the following questions. What informal expression from the passage could you use to show that you agree with someone? FEM What expression from the passage might you use 1 to emphasize how much you disagree with someone? 2 to show that you disagree with someone in part, but not completely? 3 to emphasize that you agree with someone fully? Insert the word missing from each expression below. 1. Jim and his brothers were at_____ with each other for many years but they are now good friends. 2 I know that you are in favour of the construction of a new shopping complex, but | do not share your 3 Our local MP js in favour of the new housing development but a number of people in the town have taken with him about it. 4 There isa________ consensus among the staff that the present working conditions are unacceptable. BY What word emphasizes that no one disagreed in a joint decision? Use this word in a sentence. 121122 Mary had an essay to write. She was preparing to write it when she realized she didn’t know the date. Mary asked Sue, one of her flatmates, What date is it today, please, Sue?” ‘Ym not sure’ replied Sue. ‘I'll ask Meg, She's in the kitchen’ ‘What's the date, Meg?’ asked Sue. ‘Mary wants to know for her essay’ ‘Ireally don't know, said Meg. ‘Ive been studying so hard all week I've not really paid much attention to time. What day of the week is it?’ ‘Ido know that, said Sue. ‘It’s Tuesday.’ Sue then looked at a newspaper lying on the table. This is yesterday's paper and yesterday was Monday, the eighteenth of August. So today is the nineteenth of August. Il go and tell Mary! Sue went back to the living room and said to Mary, ‘Its the nineteenth of August’ Mary replied, ‘Thanks! What day is it?’ Sue said, ‘It's Tuesday’ Mary replied, ‘Oh, it's just as well | asked. | thought it was Monday. Ifit’s Tuesday, | have a French class at 3 o'clock. What time is it?’ ‘You'll have to hurry’ said Sue. ‘According to my watch, its quarter to three now? Just then Meg came in from the kitchen, ‘I think your watch must be fast, Sue. The kitchen clock says that it's just after half past two, They were then joined by Sara, who had just come back from a lecture. What's the time, please, Sara?’ asked Mary. The kitchen clock says that its just after half past two and Sue's watch says it's quarter to three’ ‘The kitchen clock is slow,’ said Sara. ‘I think it needs new batteries. Sue’s watch is right’ ‘Then I'm going to be late! said Mary, rushing out of the door.‘| thought | was going to be late for my English lecture this morning because the bus was very late’ said Sara, ‘but | managed to get there on time. | was glad because the English lecturer hates people being late. He says it’s rude not to be punctual.’ “That's what my mother says, said Sue, She's always early for everything. Come to think ofit her birthday’s on August the twentieth and that’s tomorrow. | had better go and send a card. | forgot last year and she was very hurt! date what date is it? You ask what date is it? when you want to know what day in the month, such as the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, etc, and possibly what month and year, it is: * ‘What date is it today? Is it the thirty-first of August?’ ‘No. It’s the first of September today." * ‘Ineed to put the date on this form. What date is it today?” ‘It's June the ninth.’ Other ways of asking the same thing are what's the date? and what's today’s date?: * T have to write some cheques to pay some bills. What's the date? + What's today’s date? I'm writing a letter to confirm the hotel booking. day what day of the week is it? You ask what day of the week is it? when you want to know whether it is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday: * What day of the week is it? | never pay any attention to time when I'm on holiday. * ‘I feel very confused. What day of the week is it?” ‘Its Wednesday. You've been very ill, but you're getting better now.’ early be early When you are early you arrive somewhere before the time that has been arranged: * The train's not due for another half-an-hour. I'm early. I'll go and have a cup of coffee. * I was so nervous that I was very early for my job interview. eighteenth it's the eighteenth of August You say it’s the eighteenth of August, or the relevant month and number, when you are telling someone what day of the month it is: © ‘What date is it?” ‘It’s the twentieth of April.’ * ‘What date have Lucy and Mike chosen for their wedding?” “The sixth of June.’ You can also say it’s August the eighteenth, etc.fast someone's watch is fast You say someone's watch is fast when it shows a time that is later than the actual time: * | thought the bus was late, but it was on time. My watch was fast. * I'm not late. It's exactly five o'clock. Your watch must be fast. Language Help The opposite of this expression is someone's watch is slow. half half past two When you say it’s half past two, or half past another number on the clock between one and twelve, you mean that it is halfway between two o’clock and three o'clock, or halfway between one number and the next ‘on the clock: * The film starts at half past seven. * We finish work at half past five. punctual be punctual When you are punctual you arrive at exactly the time that has been arranged and are not late: * The coach will leave at nine o'clock and it's important that you are all punctual. * Don't worry about John being late. He's always punctual. Language elp The expression be on time has the same meaning. quarter quarter to three You say quarter to three, or another number ‘on the clock, when the time is fifteen minutes before three o'clock, or another number on the clock: + The office is closed. It’s quarter to six. * Its quarter tonine. The shop doesn't open till nine o'clock. Language Hele You can also use it's twe thirty or two thirty, etc, which means the same as it’s half past two, etc: * We start work at eight thirty. late be late * When you are late you arrive somewhere at a 124 later time than that arranged: * The coach has already left. You're late. * You're late. The film has already started. Language Help The equivalent American English expression is quarter of three, etc: + We arranged to meet at quarter of six. You say quarter past three, or another number on the clock, when the time is fifteen minutes after three, etc: * The meeting starts at quarter past ten. * The plane leaves at quarter past eleven. The equivalent expression in American English is quarter after three, etc: * The plane leaves at quarter after four. * The train is due at quarter after eleven.right someone's watch is right When you say that someone's watch is right you mean that it is showing the actual time: ° My watch is right. | checked it with the radio news this morning. ° My watch is definitely right. | set it this morning. slow the clock is slow You say the clock is slow when a clock is showing a time that is earlier than the actual time: * I didn’t realize that the clock in my office was slow and | missed the train. * | thought my visitors were early but the clock in my living room was slow. is the clock The opposite of this expressior is fast. time be on time When you are on time you arrive at exactly the time that has been arranged and are not late: * You were on time but the other members of the committee were late. * If you are not on time for the interview you certainly will not get the job. meaning. what time is it? You ask what time is it? when you want to know the time: * What time is it? I've forgotten my watch. * My watch has stopped. What time is it, please? You also ask can you tell me the time, please? when you want to know the time: * Can you tell me the time, please? I’ve lost my watch. 125Answer the following questions. What expression from the passage means the same as: 1 Can you tell me the time? 2 Two thirty? 3 What's today’s date? ___ 4 Be punctual? Eh what is the opposite of a watch being fast? In American English, what is the expression which indicates that the time is fifteen minutes before five o'clock? Ba When you are telling someone what the date is you can say it’s the ninth of June. How else could you express this? Tl How do you express the fact that your watch is neither fast nor slow? 126Over the weekend, Jane had gone to a hairdresser’s and changed her hairstyle. Your hair is looking very nice today, Jane; said her friend Meg when they met on their way to work. ‘Thank you, Meg’ replied Jane. I got it done at that new salon in the High Street. | was tired of my old hairstyle’ They were joined by Sara, who said, 1 do like your new hairstyle, Jane’ So do I/ said Lucy, who was with Sara. It suits you very well’ ‘Thank you said Jane, ‘but you're making me blush! 'm not used to so many people paying me compliments. They walked along the road to work, talking about other things, but Jane was toreceive even more compliments when she got to the office. Quite a few of her colleagues passed complimentary remarks, but she was particularly surprised when her boss, Mr Jackson, said, May | compliment you on your new hairstyle, Jane? It looks most attractive!” Mr Jackson had never paid her a compliment before. Indeed, Jane sometimes wondered if he noticed her at all. ‘'m amazed at the effect a new hairstyle can have, said Jane to herself. One of the reasons Jane had decided to get a new hairstyle was to cheer herself up. She and her boyfriend, Peter, had had a quarrel and she had been feeling miserable. The new hairstyle seemed to be having the desired effect, but Jane had decided that she would try to cheer herself up further by buying a new dress. The shops were open late that evening and so Jane went shopping straight after work. Often, when she went shopping she couldn't see anything she liked, but that evening, she found quite a few that she liked the look of. She thought that one in particular suited her very well and she decided to buy it, although it cost more money than she had intended to spend. Next day she wore her new dress to work and once again her colleagues showered her with compliments, Jean, the receptionist, said, How smart you look, Jane!’ 127128 Mary from the publicity department said, ‘What a lovely dress, Jane! It's just your colour!’ ‘Thank you, Mary,’ said Jane. It’s very kind of you to say so’ Ben from production said, ‘You're looking very elegant for a working day, Jane! There were several appreciative glances from other colleagues and Tom, the office assistant, gave a loud whistle when he saw Jane. She was definitely feeling much happier now! You give someone an appreciative glance when you admire them or find pleasure in looking at them: * The girls were given quite a few appreciative glances as they walked along the beach. * The young women looked beautiful in their dance dresses and they received many appreciative glances from the young men. attractive it looks most attractive! You say it looks most attractive! when you want to emphasize how attractive something is: * We should look round that cottage. It looks most attractive! * | like the way you've decorated the flat. It looks most attractive! blush you're making me blush! You say you're making me blush! when you feel embarrassed: * You're making me blush with all these compliments! * Stop paying me so many compliments! You're making me blush! colour it’s just your colour! You say it’s just your colour! when you want to tell someone that the colour of the dress, etc, they are wearing suits them exceptionally well: * That's a lovely blue dress. It’s just your colour! * Ido like that shade of pink. It’s just your colour! compliment (v) may | compliment you on ...? You say may | compliment you on ...? when you want to pay them a compliment. The expression is used in a formal context: * May! compliment you on your appearance? You look very attractive in your bridesmaid's dress. © May! compliment on your choice of dress? It looks beautiful.compliment (n) pay someone a compliment or compliments When you pay someone a compliment you tell them that you admire or like something about them: * Sara is so beautiful that many people pay her compliments. * Lucy gets embarrassed whenever anyone pays her a compliment. receive a compliment or compliments When you receive a compliment or compliments someone tells you that they admire or like something about you: * Jane wasa lovely bride and received many compliments. * Mary always blushes when she receives a compliment. shower someone with compliments When you shower someone with compliments you pay them a great many compliments: * Meg looked very beautiful on her wedding day and all the guests showered her with compliments. * Anne looked very elegant in her new dress and her friends showered her with compliments. complimentary pass complimentary remarks You pass complimentary remarks when you tell someone that you admire and like something about them: * All his friends passed complimentary remarks when they saw John’s new car. * Jack was wearing his new suit and several of his women colleagues passed complimentary remarks. elegant you're looking very elegant When you say you're looking very elegant to someone you want to tell them that they look very attractive and smart and that you think they show good taste in their choice of clothes: * You look very elegant in your new suit. * | do like your new coat. You look very elegant. id it's very kind of you to say so You often say it's very kind of you to say so when someone has paid you a compliment: * "You look very attractive in your new coat.’ ‘Thank you. It’s very kind of you to say so.’ like I do like your new hairstyle You say I do like your new hairstyle, etc, to someone when you want to pay them a compliment on their hairstyle or other features: * Anna, how nice you look! I do like your new coat! * Jack, | do like your new shirt! You look very handsome. lovely what a lovely dress! You say what a lovely dress, etc! when you want to pay someone a compliment on their dress, ete: * What a lovely pair of evening shoes! Where did you buy them? * What a lovely sweater! It suits you very well! smart how smart you look! You say how smart you look! to someone when you want to tell them that they look well- dressed and attractive: 129130 * Mary, how smart you look! Are you going somewhere special? * How smart you look! That's a lovely dress. suit it suits you very well When something suits you very well it means that it makes you look particularly attractive when you wear it: * That shade of blue is very pretty. It suits you very well. © That style of skirt suits you very well thank thank you You say thank you in response to a compliment which someone has paid you: * "You look very nice in that dress, Meg.’ ‘Thank you, Lucy!” * ‘That hat really suits you, Anna.’ ‘Thank you, Jane." whistle When you whistle or whistle at someone you make a high-pitched sound by forcing air out through your lips. In this context, men sometimes whistle to show their admiration for a woman's appearance. It is supposed to be a compliment, but not all women regard being whistled at in this way as a compliment and are annoyed by it: * Avery pretty girl walked past and all the workers on the building site whistled at her. * A group of youths standing on the comer of the street whistled as the girls in short skirts walked past.Answer the following questions. EW insert the word missing from each expression below. 1 Lucy is always beautifully dressed and people often ___ her compliments. 2. I’m sure Meg will ______ many compliments when she wears her new dress to the ball. 3 Jill looks very pretty in her outfit and I’m sure that a great many people will __ complimentary remarks on her appearance. 4 That sweater is a lovely colour. It you very well. EE Why might a man whistle at a woman? What expression from the passage might you use when you feel embarrassed because you are being paid compliments? By It you admire someone, what adjective could be used to describe the kind of glance you might give them? El You might say thank you to someone who pays you a compliment. What other expression from the passage might you use? 131132 Mike was passing his dentist's surgery when he suddenly remembered that he hadn't had his teeth checked for some time. He had been meaning to ring and get an appointment, but had kept putting it off. He decided to go in and make one in person. ‘Good morning' he said to the receptionist. 'd like to make an appointment with Mr Morris, please.’ ‘Certainly!’ the receptionist replied. ‘Is it urgent? Do you have toothache” ‘No, thank goodness’ replied Mike. ‘t's just for a check-up’ ‘Mr Morris is rather busy just now but | could give you an appointment on Friday of next week at 10 o'clock’ ‘Sorry, | can’t make that. Ill be away on a business trip’ said Mike. ‘What about the following Tuesday, then, at 4 o'clock” asked the receptionist. That's Tuesday the tenth of September’ ‘That's fine! Afternoons suit me better, anyway,’ said Mike. Mike had the moming off and he decided to go and get his hair cut. He thought that he would be able to get it done right away, but he was wrong, ‘Sorry, but you'll have to make an appointment. We're always very busy on Fridays’ said the receptionist. 1 could fit you in at one o’clock, if you like’ ‘No, that’s no good!’ said Mike. ‘'m meeting a friend for lunch.’ Well, we've had a cancellation at 6 o'clock. Does that suit you?’ asked the receptionist. ‘Yes, that suits me very well, replied Mike. Later Mike went to meet his friend Frank for lunch. During lunch they were hoping to set up a meeting to discuss a business matter in which they were both interested. They both consulted their diaries to find a suitable date and time. ‘How about next Friday evening?’ asked Mike.