Everyday conversations

Everyday conversations use a small number of very useful phrases: asking for things, offering, thanking, apologising, making plans and talking on the phone. Learning them as whole phrases helps you speak politely and naturally without thinking about every word.

Key facts

  • Asking politely: ⟦Can I have…, please?⟧ ⟦Could you…, please?⟧ ⟦Could I borrow…?⟧ ⟦Could⟧ is a little more polite than ⟦can⟧.
  • Offering and answering: ⟦Would you like some tea?⟧ — ⟦Yes, please.⟧ / ⟦No, thank you.⟧ Giving something: ⟦Here you are.⟧
  • Thanking and apologising: ⟦Thank you.⟧ — ⟦You're welcome.⟧ ⟦Sorry I'm late.⟧ — ⟦That's OK.⟧ / ⟦Don't worry.⟧
  • Making plans: ⟦Shall we…?⟧ ⟦Do you want to…?⟧ ⟦Let's…⟧ Answers: ⟦I'd love to!⟧ ⟦Sorry, I can't.⟧
  • On the phone: ⟦Hello, can I speak to…, please?⟧ ⟦Who's calling, please?⟧ ⟦Just a moment.⟧ ⟦Can I leave a message?⟧
  • When you don't understand: ⟦Sorry, could you say that again?⟧ ⟦Could you speak more slowly, please?⟧

Worked examples

Example 1

Choose the best reply to ⟦Would you like some juice?⟧: ⟦Yes, please.⟧ / ⟦Yes, I would like.⟧ / ⟦You're welcome.⟧

  1. An offer is answered with ⟦Yes, please⟧ or ⟦No, thank you⟧.
  2. ⟦Yes, I would like⟧ is missing a word (⟦Yes, I would⟧ or ⟦Yes, I'd like some⟧), and ⟦You're welcome⟧ answers ⟦Thank you⟧.

Answer: ⟦Yes, please.⟧

Example 2

Put the words in order: ⟦borrow / I / your / Could / pen, / please?⟧

  1. A polite request starts with ⟦Could⟧, then the subject ⟦I⟧, then the verb ⟦borrow⟧.
  2. Then what you want, and ⟦please⟧ at the end: ⟦Could I borrow your pen, please?⟧

Answer: ⟦Could I borrow your pen, please?⟧

Example 3

What do you say when someone says ⟦I passed my exam!⟧?

  1. The news is good, so share the happiness.
  2. ⟦Congratulations!⟧ or ⟦Well done!⟧ fits. ⟦I'm sorry to hear that⟧ is for bad news.

Answer: ⟦Congratulations! Well done.⟧