SOCIAL PHRASES- Responding

OFFERING HELP                                            RESPONDING

Would you like me to…?                                That would be great. Thank you.
Shall I…?                                                        No, it’s OK. Thank you.
Can I give you a hand?                                  If you could, thanks.

REQUESTING

Could /Can you…, please?                              Of course, that’s no problem.
Do you think you could…?                               No, not at all.


ASKING PERMISSION

May/ Can I…?                                            Sure. Yes, of course. /Yes, go ahead.
Is it OK if I…?                                             Certainly
Do you think I could…?                               Actually, I’m afraid it isn’t possible to…


SUGGESTIONS

I suggested that we meet later for a drink                    Yes, great idea.
Why don’t we meet later?                                             I’m afraid I can’t
Shall we take a break?                                                  Yes, Ok. Let’s do that.
Do you want a break?                                                   I don’t mind.


A THANK YOU

Thank you very much for your help                       You’re welcome.
                                                                              Don’t mention it.

SURPRISING NEWS

The stock market rose ten percent this                        Really? You’re kidding!
morning.                                                                       I don’t believe it.

BAD NEWS

I had to cancel our vacation to Thailand          That’s too bad.
My aunt is sick                                                  What a shame. I’m sorry to hear that.
The restaurant is closed.                                  That’s annoying.
It’s just started to rain.                                    Typical. I don’t have an umbrella with
                                                                          me.
A DIFFICULT QUESTION

What is the population of New York?         To be honest, I’m not sure.
                                                                   I couldn’t even make a guess on that
                                                                   one!
                                                                   I haven’t got a clue!
                                                                   It depends what you mean by…

AN APOLOGY

I’m very sorry about that.                        It doesn’t matter. Don’t worry.
                                                                Never mind.

Fill in the blanks.

Mind               annoying                shame                                 take a break



Miller:        We’ve been at this all afternoon. Let’s _________ and go out for  
coffee.

Linda:        That sounds like a good idea.

Miller:        I know a great coffee shop down the street if you don’t
___________  walking a bit.

Linda:        Not at all. Oh! Look at the rain! It’s pouring outside!

Miller:        That’s typical around here. It rains almost every day this time
of year.   It’s ____________ you couldn’t see the city in the spring. The
is  much nicer then.

Linda:        But I don’t have an umbrella or anything. How ______________!

Miller:        Don’t worry. We keep extras here in the office.

Match the questions with the appropriate response.

1.Can I give you a hand with that?                a. Great. I could use some coffee.
2.Did you mean that seriously?                      b. Thanks, I’d appreciate that.
3.Is it OK if I smoke here?                              c. No, I was just kidding.
4.Why don’t we take a break?                       d. Not at all.
5.Would you mind closing the window?         e. I’m sorry. This is a “smoke free”
                                                                       building.