CONVERSATION #2

This pages will give you a range of phrases for speaking in different situations. All these phrases are used in spoken English today and will help you to speak in a way that sounds friendly, polite and natural.

Starting and ending a conversation

Meeting someone by chance

Use these phrases when you meet someone you know by chance:

Hello / Hi! I haven’t seen you in ages!

Hello / Hi! I was just thinking about you the other day.

Hello / Hi! I thought I might see you here.

Hello / Hi! What a nice surprise to see you here.

*(humorous) Hello, stranger!

*Long time, no see.

* These two phrases are said to a person that you have not seen for a long time.

Being misunderstood

Use these phrases when someone has not understood you:

That’s not quite what I meant.

I think you’ve misunderstood me.

Perhaps I didn’t explain this very clearly.

Examples:

I think you’ve misunderstood me – I wasn’t talking about the changes that are proposed in this report.

Not knowing

Use these phrases when you are not sure what you think or who you agree with:

I don’t know what to think about this.

I’m in two minds about this.

I’m not sure where I stand on this.

I can see both sides of the argument.

Examples:

I’m in two minds about this issue. Certainly we need publicity but is this the best use of our money?

I’m not sure where I stand on this. Is it better to invest now or see how the market goes and decide later?

Before saying goodbye

a. Use these phrases when you have been speaking to someone but now need to leave them:

(It was) nice / good to see you.

I’m afraid I have to go now, but it’s been really nice seeing you.

I’m sorry, I have to dash (= leave quickly).

*Anyway, I can see that you’re busy.

*Anyway, I’ll let you get on. / I’d better let you get on (= I will let you leave or do what you have to do).

*Anyway, I won’t take up any more of your time.

* In order to seem polite, speakers often try to end a conversation by saying that the person they are talking to needs to go. Note that the word ‘anyway’ is often used at the start of this type of sentence.

b. Use these phrases when you have been talking to someone for a short time and you would like to see them for longer next time:

It would be nice to catch up sometime (= talk about things that we have done since we last saw each other).

It would be nice to have a proper catch-up sometime.

During a conversation

Remembering and forgetting something in a conversation

a. Use these phrases when you suddenly remember something that you want to say:

I was going to / meaning to ask you…

I know what I wanted to ask you…

Oh, and while I think of it…

Oh yes, I remember what I was going to ask / tell you…

b. Use these phrases when you forget what you wanted to say:

What was I saying? Oh yes…

I’ve completely forgotten

what I was saying.

My mind’s gone blank.

I’m sure there was something I meant to tell / ask you.

Joining two parts of a conversation

Use these phrases when you want to introduce a new subject that is related to the one that you are talking about:

I’ve had this jacket for almost ten years.

Speaking / Talking of clothes, I like that sweater you’re wearing.

He takes really good photos. While we’re on the subject, did you get the photos I sent you last week?

Making arrangements

Use these phrases to talk about possible dates to meet someone. All of these phrases mean ‘Can you meet during the week that starts Monday 12th?’

Is the week starting Monday 12th  any good for you?

How does the week starting Monday 12th sound?

How are you fixed for the week starting Monday 12th?

Use these phrases to say that a date is not possible:

That week might be a bit tricky / difficult.

I’ve got a lot on (= I am busy) that week.

Actually, I’m a bit busy that week.

Making arrangements continued…

Use these phrases to say that a date is possible:

That week’s good / fine / OK for me.

That week’s a possibility.

I don’t have anything / much on that week.

Use these phrases to decide a date :

Let’s say Friday 16th.

OK, let’s make it Friday 16th.

Friday 16th it is then.

Shall we pencil in Friday 16th  (= say Friday 16th for now, although it may change later)?

Let’s say Friday 16th for now (= the date may change later).

Let’s say Friday 16th and I’ll get back to you if there’s a problem.

Use this phrase to check nearer the date that the arrangement is still possible:

Are you / we still on for (= able to do what we have planned) this Friday?

Agreeing

Use these phrases when you agree with someone’s opinion:

You’re (absolutely) right.

Absolutely!

True!

That’s true!

That’s exactly how I feel.

Responding when someone is speaking to you

Asking for more information

Use these phrases when you want the speaker to explain more:

Why’s that?

Why do you think that is?

I wonder why that is?

Listening and interested

Use these phrases when you want the speaker to know that you are still listening and interested:

Ah!

Really?

Yes?

Is that right?

Understanding

Use these phrases to say that you understand a problem or situation that someone has been explaining to you:

I see.

Right!

Now I’m with you (= I understand now though I didn’t before).

Showing amusement

Use these phrases to show that you think what someone has told you is funny:

That’s hilarious!

That’s really / very funny!

How funny !

That’s made my day!

Showing surprise or shock

Use these phrases to show that you are surprised or shocked at what someone has told you:

No!

Never!

You’re joking!

You’re kidding!

You’re not serious!

That’s unbelievable!

I don’t believe it!

Example:

A: They’re making a hundred and fifty people redundant.

B: You’re kidding!

A: No, I read it in the paper last night.

Sympathizing

a. Use these phrases to show that you feel sorry for someone who has a problem. Note that these phrases are not right if the problem is very serious.

Oh no!

Poor you!

What a shame!

What a nuisance / hassle!

That’s awful / terrible!

That sucks! (AmE informal)

What a pain!

What a drag!

Tell me about it (= I have had the same problem as you, so I understand)!

b. Use these phrases to show sympathy for someone who has a serious problem:

I am sorry.

I’m (very / so) sorry to hear that.

Example:

A: Karl’s mother died at the weekend.

B: I’m so sorry to hear that.

Dealing with an interruption

Use these phrases when someone was speaking to you and you have been interrupted, for example by a phone. You want the first person to continue speaking:

Sorry, Sara, what were you saying?

Sorry, Sara, you were saying?

Sorry, Sara, you were telling me about

your mother.

Conversational ‘softeners’

The phrases below are used in situations in which you do not want to upset someone or seem rude.

Refusing an offer of help

Use these phrases when someone has offered to help you but you do not need their help: (to start a sentence)

You’re all right…

It’s all right / OK…

Don’t worry, I’ll be OK…

(to end a sentence)

…but thanks anyway.

…but I appreciate the offer.

…but thanks for the offer.

…but it’s very kind of you to offer.

Example:

A: Would you like some help with the packing?

B: It’s all right – my neighbour’s offered to help out. But thanks anyway.

Refusing an offer of food or drink

Use these phrases to refuse food or drink that someone has offered you:

(No,) I’m all right, thanks.

(No,) I’m fine, thanks.

Not for me, thanks.

No thanks, I’ve just had lunch.

Example:

A: Would you like some coffee, Julia?

B: I’m all right, thanks.

Refusing more food or drink

Use these phrases when you do not want any more food or drink:

I’ve had plenty, thank you / thanks.

No, that was delicious but I couldn’t manage any more, thanks.

Dealing with apologies

Use these phrases when someone apologizes and you want to let them know that you are not angry:

That’s all right.

Not to worry.

Don’t worry (about it).

It doesn’t matter.

It is usual to add a sentence or two explaining why you are not angry with the person who has said sorry.

Example:

A: I’m sorry I didn’t make it to your party on Friday.

B: That’s all right – I know you’re busy at the moment.

Let’s Talk: Conversation

Of course

The following examples will show you how to use the phrase ‘of course’ correctly and in a way that sounds natural. Remember that the phrase ‘of course’ is not used for agreeing with someone else’s opinion. In fact it can even sound slightly rude when used in this way. The other thing to remember is that ‘of course’ should not be used for accepting an offer. For example, do not say ‘of course’ when you are offered a drink as this can

sound rude. These are the different ways in which ‘of course’ can be used correctly:

Of course

1. Used to say politely that someone can do or have something:

A: Can I borrow your pen?

B: Of course (you can).

2. Used to state a fact that most people already know:

The Second World War ended, of course, in 1945.

Of course you shouldn’t eat too much fat.

3. Used for saying that something that happened was not surprising:

We got to the station half an hour late so, of course, we missed our train.

4. Used to mean ‘certainly’ when someone asks you a question or asks you to do something:

A: Do you love me?

B: Of course I love you!

A: Could you help out on Saturday?

B: Of course!

Of course continued…

5. Used for disagreeing strongly with something that someone says. Note that this use can sometimes sound rude and is generally used between people who know each other well:

A: Your mother doesn’t even like me!

B: Of course she likes you!

A: I’m too fat to wear anything like that.

B: Of course you’re not!

6. Used when someone tells you that they or someone else felt angry or sad and you want to show you understand how they feel:

A: My mother was upset because my brother wasn’t there.

B: Of course.

A: I just feel so angry with her.

B: Of course.