EXPRESSING

Thanking for directions

1 Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: Thank you so much for your directions. You've been a tremendous help.

B: It was my pleasure.

A: Thank you for taking the time to explain it to me. I hope it wasn't too much of a bother.

B: Not at all. It was the least I could do.

A: Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.

B: You're welcome. Good luck.

A: Thanks a million!

B: Forget it/Don't worry about it.

2. Thanking for invitations

Sample phrases

A: Thank you for inviting me. Of course I'll come.

B: Great! We're sure to have a lot of fun.

A: Thanks for your invitation, but I'm afraid I won't be able to come. I've got an appointment.

B: I'm sorry to hear that. We'll certainly miss you.

3. Thanking for gifts

Sample phrases

A: Thank you very much for the flowers. They look so beautiful. Are they from your garden?

B: Yes. I'm glad you like them. Happy anniversary!

A: Thanks a lot, but you really shouldn't have.

B: Well, I just wanted to show my appreciation for your kindness.

4. Thanking for favors

Sample phrases

A: Thank you so much for lending me your bicycle.

B: Don't mention it. Let me know if you need it again.

A: Thanks for doing the washing-up.

B: It was nothing. I enjoyed helping you.

5. Thanking for offers of help

Sample phrases

A: Can I take you to the airport?

B: Thank you. That would be great.

A: Do you need help carrying these suitcases?

B: Thanks, but I'll manage OK by myself.

6. Thanking for expressions of sympathy

Sample phrases

A: I'm sorry to hear your grandmother is ill.

B: Thank you. I hope she'll be all right.

A: That's too bad about your car.

B: Thanks. I think the police will find some clues.

7. Thanking for compliments and wishes of success

Sample phrases

A: You are such a good cook!

B: Thanks. I learned a lot from my mother.

A: Good luck with your exams!

B: Thanks. I'll need it!

Greting

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: Good day, Mr. Smith. How are you?

B: I'm fine, thank you. And you?

A: Good evening, Mrs. Baker. How are you tonight?

B: Great, thanks. What about you?

A: Hello, Barry. How're you doing?

B: Okay, I guess. You doing all right?

A: 'Morning, Laura. Are you doing okay?

B: Can't complain. How about you?

A: Hey, Ted. How's it going?

B: Couldn't be better! Yourself?

A: Hi, Joe. What's happening?

B: Not much. You?

MAKING

1. Third-party introductions

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: It's my pleasure to introduce Dr. Smith.

B: How do you do?

C: How do you do?

A: I'd like to introduce Mr. Thomson.

B: I'm glad to meet you.

C: The pleasure is mine.

A: Let me introduce you to Tony Brown.

B: Pleased to meet you.

C: Nice meeting you, too.

A: I'd like you to meet Barbara.

B: Good to meet you.

C: I've heard so much about you.

A: This is Sam.

B: Nice to meet you.

C: Same here.

2. Self-introductions

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: May I introduce myself? I'm Timothy Johnson.

B: It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Mary Leslie.

A: Hello. My name is Gordon Brown.

B: How do you do? I'm Helen Bradley.

A: I don't think we've met. I'm Pat.

B: Good to meet you. I'm Lisa.

A: Hi. I'm Ted.

B: Hi. I'm Sandy.

Apologizing and Responding to Apologies

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: I hope you'll forgive me for being late. I had a flat tire.

B: That's quite all right/I understand completely. It can happen to anyone.

A: Please accept my apologies for the mistakes in the report. I forgot to check it.

B: You don't need/have to apologize. But next time, try to concentrate better.

A: I (would like to) apologize for shouting at you yesterday. I lost control of myself.

B: Don't worry about it. I just hope you'll keep your temper from now on.

A: Excuse me! I didn't realize this was your seat/newspaper.

B: That's OK. I'm leaving anyway/I've finished reading it.

A: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep your book so long.

B: No problem/No big thing. I won't need it until next semester.

Saying Goodbye

1. Preclosings and Responses

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

a. Time-Related Expressions

A: Well, I'm afraid I have to be going.

B: Thank you for coming.

A: I've got to go/run. It's getting late.

B: All right. Take care of yourself.

b. Pleasantries

A: It's been a wonderful evening.

B: Yes, I've enjoyed it.

A: I've enjoyed talking to you.

B: Me, too.

c. Wishes to Keep in Touch

A: Why don't we get together sometime?

B: I'd like that.

A: Drop by and see me sometime.

B: Sure thing.

2. Closings and Responses

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: Goodbye.

B: Goodbye.

A: Have a nice day.

B: You, too.

A: See you later/around.

B: So long.

Complimenting and Responding to Compliments

1. Compliments on successes

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: I would like to compliment you on your recent achievement.

B: Thank you for saying so, but it was the work of the whole team.

A: The essay you wrote was superb. I'd like to use it as a model for other students.

B: Thank you. I'd be so honored.

2. Compliments on possessions

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: That's a nice T-shirt you're wearing.

B: I appreciate the compliment. It was a birthday present from one of my classmates.

A: Your new car looks terrific.

B: Thank you. It's very economical.

3. Compliments on appearance

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: I think your new hairstyle is lovely.

B: That's nice of you to say so. I love yours, too.

A: I really like your blue eyes. They make you look like a movie star.

B: Thank you. That's a nice compliment.

4. Compliments on skills

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: I've never heard any singer perform that song so beautifully.

B: Thank you. It's really nice to hear that from someone with your experience.

A: The chicken was delicious.

B: Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Getting Attention

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: Pardon me/Excuse me, Dr. Scott.

B: Yes? What can I do for you?

A: Waiter?

B: Yes? Can I help you?

A: Hey, Ben.

B: Yeah?

Interrupting a Conversation

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: Pardon the interruption/Pardon me/Excuse me, but...

B: What can I do for you?

A: I don't want to/hate to interrupt you, but...

B: It's all right. How can I help?

A: I'm sorry, but...

B: It's OK.

Complimenting and Responding to Compliments

1. Compliments on successes

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: I would like to compliment you on your recent achievement.

B: Thank you for saying so, but it was the work of the whole team.

A: The essay you wrote was superb. I'd like to use it as a model for other students.

B: Thank you. I'd be so honored.

2. Compliments on possessions

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: That's a nice T-shirt you're wearing.

B: I appreciate the compliment. It was a birthday present from one of my classmates.

A: Your new car looks terrific.

B: Thank you. It's very economical.

3. Compliments on appearance

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: I think your new hairstyle is lovely.

B: That's nice of you to say so. I love yours, too.

A: I really like your blue eyes. They make you look like a movie star.

B: Thank you. That's a nice compliment.

4. Compliments on skills

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: I've never heard any singer perform that song so beautifully.

B: Thank you. It's really nice to hear that from someone with your experience.

A: The chicken was delicious.

B: Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Asking for Information and Giving Directions

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: Pardon me. Could you please tell me the way to the nearest post office?

B: Go two blocks west and turn left. It's opposite the supermarket.

A: Could you tell me when the next train leaves?

B: In fifteen minutes, at 8:00.

A: Can you help me? Is there a bank near here?

B: Yes, beside the movie theater.

A: Excuse me. How much is a ticket?

B: $90 one way.

A: Do you have the time?

B: Fifteen to four.

Making and Responding to Requests

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: Could I trouble/bother you to lend me $200?

B: (positive) Of course, it's no problem/trouble (at all).

B: (negative) It's impossible for me because I've only got $150.

A: Could you please take me to the airport tomorrow morning?

B: (positive) Certainly.

B: (negative) I wish I could, but I've got an appointment at 8:30.

A: Will you help me fix this error, please?

B: (positive) Sure. I'll be glad to.

B: (negative) I'm afraid I can't. I don't know anything about computers.

A: Would you mind letting me borrow your book?

B: (positive) No, not at all.

B: (negative) I'm sorry, but I need it for next week's exam.

A: I'd like you to pick up some oil on the way home, if you have time.

B: (positive) No problem.

B: (negative) I can't do that because I won't be back until 11:00.

A: How/What about cleaning your room today?

B: (positive) No sweat.

B: (negative) Sorry. I'm going out with Lucy.

Offering to Help and Responding

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: May/Can I help you?

B: (positive) Yes, please. I'd like to buy some jewelry.

B: (negative) No, thank you. I'm just looking/browsing.

A: Would you like/Do you need some help?

B: (positive) Yes. That would be great. Thank you.

B: (negative) Thank you for offering, but I think I can manage it.

A: It looks/You look as if you could do with some help!

B: (positive) I sure could! I'm glad you came along.

B: (negative) Thanks. I think I've got it.

Expressing Sympathy and Responding

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: I am/was deeply/truly sorry to hear about your grandmother. I understand what you're going through right now.

B: Thank you very much. I'm deeply moved/touched.

A: I was sorry/shocked/upset to hear you didn't win the scholarship. I know how disappointed you must feel.

B: I appreciate your sympathy/kindness. I hope I'll do better next year.

A: How shocking/awful to hear about your accident. Are you OK?

B: It's very nice/kind of you to be so concerned but really, I'm fine now.

A: Too bad you didn't get the raise. I was hoping you would!

B: Thanks for your support. Sometimes things don't go the way we want, do they?

Expressing Opinions

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- I'm of the opinion that...

- As far as I am concerned...

- From my point of view...

- In my opinion...

- I think/believe/feel that...

- It seems to me that...

- As I see it...

- If you ask me...

- To be (quite) honest/ (Quite) honestly...

Asking People to Express Their Opinions

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- I'd be interested to know your thoughts on/what you think about...

- What's your point of view on...

- What's your opinion on/of/about...

- What do you think about...

- How do you feel about.. Agreeing and Disagreeing

1. Agreement

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- I agree completely (with what you say).

- That's just/exactly what I think/believe.

- In my opinion, you are right/correct.

- That's my opinion, too.

- I couldn't agree more.

- There's no doubt about it.

- You can say that again!

- You bet!

2. Disagreement

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- I disagree with what you're saying.

- I don't agree with you/think so/see it that way.

- I couldn't agree less.

- I couldn't disagree more.

- You've got to be joking/kidding!

- You can't really be serious!

- Come off it!

3. Polite disagreement

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- I respect your opinion/You have a right to your opinion, but I think...

- I'm not sure I can agree with what you say about...

- I understand what you're saying but...

- You could be right, but...

- But I thought...

- Yes, but...