Conversation

How greetings are used

"Hello" is used as a greeting in formal and informal situations. In British English the variants "Hallo" and "Hullo" are also used. "Hi" is an informal greeting with the same meaning as "Hello". "Hey" (an interjection for attracting attention) is sometimes used very informally in the meaning "Hello".

-    Hello, Maria! Nice to see you. – Hi, Rita! Nice to see you.

-    Hi, Tom! Good to see you again. – Hello, Jim! It's good to see you.

-    Hey, Mike! How's it going? (informal)

-    Morning, Jim. Evening, Betty. (informal)

-    How do you do? (formal)

 

"Good morning" and "Good afternoon" are generally used as greetings. "Good day" and "Good evening" may be used at meeting or parting. "Good night" is used for saying goodbye at nighttime, especially before going to sleep.

 

"How are you?" is a very common greeting and a question asking about a person's health and well-being; it is used in formal and informal situations.

-    Hello! How are you? – Fine, thank you. How are you?

 

"How are you doing?" is a little more informal than "How are you?" and is used in the same way. "How are you doing?" is very common.

-    Hi! How are you doing? – Fine, thanks. And you?

 

Saying good-bye:

-    Good-bye! Bye! It was nice seeing you. Keep in touch. Take care now. See you tomorrow. See you.

 

Holiday greetings:

-    Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Have a nice holiday! Have a nice holiday! The same to you. You too.

 

Birthday greetings:

-    Happy birthday! Happy birthday to you! Love and best wishes for a happy birthday!

 

Congratulations:

-    Congratulations! Your new book is great! Congratulations on your new book!

-    I'd like to congratulate you. Your test paper is the best in the class.

-    My congratulations! Your results are excellent. Let me congratulate you on your excellent results.

 

Wishing luck:

-    Good luck! Good luck to you! Good luck with your new project!

-    I wish you luck in your ventures! I wish you luck on your trip to the north. I wish you luck and all the best.

-    I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. I wish you the best of everything in your life.

 

The verb "meet" is used in the meaning "get acquainted with new people", and the verb "see" is used in the meaning "meet someone you already know". Miss Brown (unmarried); Mrs. Brown (married); Ms. Brown (married / unmarried).

-    Hello! My name is Nick. – Nice to meet you, Nick.

-    Hi, Anna! Nice to see you. How's your little sister?

-    I'd like to introduce a friend of mine, Mary Brown.

-    This is Anatoly. Anatoly is from Turkey.

-    I'm very glad to meet you. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Brown.

-    Please call me Nina.

 

Phrases for getting acquainted:

-    Mrs. Spencer, I'd like to introduce a friend of mine, Anita Green.

-    Let me introduce myself. My name is Tom Smith.

-    George, I'd like you to meet my brother Boris.

-    George, this is Alan. Alan and I work together. Alan, this is Marina.

-    Hi! I'm Cahit Karakus. (informal)

-    It's nice to meet you. Glad /Nice to meet you. – I'm glad to meet you, too. It's a pleasure to meet you.

 

Example:

-    Professor Smith, this is Ella Davis, a friend of mine. Ella, this is Professor Smith, my son's college teacher.

-    How do you do?

-    Hello! Pleased to meet you.

-    What subject do you teach, Professor Smith? I teach educational psychology.

-    How interesting! Psychology is a very interesting subject.

-    Yes, it is. What do you do?

-    I work as a proofreader.

 

The function of small talk is to express polite interest and good attitude, and to prevent uncomfortable silence.

-    Is it your first trip to the United States, Anatoly? No, I was here three years ago.

-    How long have you been here? I've been here for a week already.

-    What is your impression of Boston?I like it very much. Boston is a very interesting city.

 

Other useful phrases:

-    What is your name? My name is Cahit Karakus.

-    Where are you from? I'm from Turkey. Anna is from Canada. Tom is American.

-    Marie is from France. Marie is French. I'm from Saint Petersburg.

-    Have you ever been there?

-    It's a beautiful city.

-    You should visit it some day.

-    What do you think of New York? I like it (here) very much.

-    Well, everything seems so new to me.

-    Don't worry, you will get used to it soon.

 

Personel Questions:

Personal questions include various questions about a person's private life, age, appearance, salary, religion, and the like. Depending on their character, personal questions may be perceived as tactless, embarrassing, improper, familiar, or rude.

-    How old are you?

-    What's your telephone number? What's your address?

-    Are you rich? Do you live alone?

-    Are you married? Why don't you get married?

-    Is Anna your girlfriend?

-    You have a boyfriend, don't you?

-    Why don't you have children?

-    Is your watch expensive?

-    I like your dress. How much did it cost?

-    You have a great car! How much did you pay for it?

-    I like your bracelet. Is it real gold?

-    Your ring is so beautiful. Is it a real diamond?

-    This is a nice jacket. Is it real leather?

-    How often do you go to the church?

-    How much do you weigh?

 

Responses to personal questions

Usually, people avoid answering personal questions in general conversation. For example, questions like "How much did your ring cost?" may be answered with "Oh, it was not too expensive" or "Oh, it was rather expensive" or "I don't know. It was a gift". For such occasions, English has quite a few phrases of different emotional coloring, ranging from neutral and polite to angry and rude.

-    That's a long story.

-    I'd rather not say.

-    That's a little personal. That's a little private. That's personal. That's private.

-    No personal questions, please. No comment.

-    Why should I tell you?

-    That's nobody's business. That's none of your business. None of your business!

-    How dare you ask me that! How dare you!

 

 

 

 

Sometimes people ask permission to ask a personal question.

-    Would you mind if I asked you a personal question?

-    May I ask you a personal question?

-    Can I ask you a personal question?

-    Can I ask you something personal?

 

About Myself

-    My name is Cahit Karakus. I am Cahit Karakus.

-    I'm 55 years old. I'm fifty-five years old. I'm fifty-five.

-    I was born on May 13, 1960.

-    I was born in 1960 in a small town near Malatya.

-    I was born in Yesilyurt and grew up there. I went to college in Istanbul.

-    I graduated from school in 1984. I finished school in 1984.

-    My family moved to Malatya from Porga a hundred years ago.

-    My father is an employee. (a scientist, a surgeon, a bus driver, a pilot)

-    My mother is a nurse. (a doctor, a teacher, a designer, an engineer)

-    I haven’t a brother. If I have a brother, his name would be Napolyon.

-    He was younger than I am. He was three years younger/older than I am. (Informal: He is younger than me. He is three years younger than me.)

-    My younger sister Mary is a schoolgirl.

-    I'm single. I'm not married. I'm married. I have a family.

-    I have two children, a boy and a girl. I have two sons, fifteen and nine. My daughter is two years old.

-    We live in a nice apartment in a modern building. We live on a quiet street near a large park.

-    My address is 35 Ivanova St., Apt. 61. (thirty-five Ivanova Street, Apartment sixty-one)

-    I live at 26 Lesnaya St., Apt. 18. (at twenty-six Lesnaya Street, Apartment eighteen)

-    I like to read and walk with my dog.

-      I like basketball and old movies.

-    My hobby is photography. My hobby is taking pictures of birds.

-    My wife loves traveling. She collects coins from different countries.

-    My wife likes to cook. We like classical music.

 

What do you do? What business are you in?

-    I'm an engineer. I'm a sales manager. I'm a secretary. I am a librarian.

-    I work at a bank. And you? I work at a department store. I work in a restaurant.

-    I work as a teacher. I work as a software consultant. I work for a newspaper.

-    I'm in computers. I'm in advertising. I'm in real estate.

 

Do you study or work? I'm a student at the State University.

-    I am a student of economics at the State University.

-    I am studying mathematics at the State University.

-    I studied law at the Institute of Law.

 

Asking for help:

-    Excuse me, could you help me?

-    Would you mind helping me?

-    Excuse me, I need some help.

-    Can you help me, please?

-    Could you do me a favor?

 

Offering help:

-    Can I help you?

-    Do you need some help?

-    Do you need any help?

-    Is there anything I can do?

-    How can I help?

 

Saying thank you:

-    Thank you.

-    Thank you very much.

-    Thanks (less formal). Thanks a lot. (less formal)

-    Thank you for your help.

-    I really appreciate it.

-    I really appreciate your help.

-    You've been a great help.

 

Responding to thanks:

-    You are welcome.

-    Don't mention it. Any time (informal).

-    That's all right. / It's all right.

-    That's OK. / It's OK.

 Apologizing:

-    I'm sorry.

-    Sorry.

-    I'm sorry I'm late.

-    I'm sorry I said it.

-    I didn't mean it.

-    Excuse me, please.

-    Please forgive me.

-    I'd like to apologize for losing your book.

-    Please forgive me.

 

Responses to apologies:

-    That's all right. / It's all right.

-    That's OK. / It's OK.

-    Don't worry about it.

-    Never mind. Don't mention it.

How to do something:

-    What do you want? (not polite).

-    What happened?

-    What is the telephone number of the police department? (of the fire department, of the ticket office, etc.)

-    Do you know the telephone number of the hospital?

-    Could you call a taxi /a doctor for me, please?

-    Can I go with you? How long will it take to get there?

-    How does this machine / device work? How does it work? How does this thing work?

-    How do I operate the machine?

-    How do I use this phone?

-    How do you switch it on /off? How do I set the alarm clock?

-    How do I fill out this form?

-    How many copies do you need?

-    What is it? / What is this?

-    What does the word "fragile" mean?

-    How much is it? How much does it cost?

-    Where can I get it? Where can I find it? Where is the exit, please?

-    How do I open it?

-    Excuse me, how do I get out of here?

 

Asking for an opinion:

-    What do you think about it? What do you think?

-    What is your opinion? What is your point of view?

-    What is your attitude to this problem?

-    Alex, would you like to say something about it?

 

Asking to explain:

-    I'm afraid I don't understand. Could you explain it, please?

-    Would you mind explaining it in detail?

-      What do you mean? Why? Why not?

 

Giving an opinion:

-    I think that you should consult a specialist.

-    In my opinion, you need a detailed plan of actions.

-    In my view, it's a difficult task.

-    The way I see it, it might be difficult to realize at the moment.

-    As far as I know, it could be very expensive.

-    As far as I'm concerned, time is the biggest problem.

-    As for me, I'm not ready to speak to the boss about it.

-    if you ask me, this is a crazy idea.

 

Adding information:

-    In addition to that, we don't have enough people for this work.

-    I'd like to add that we will need new equipment for this project.

-    What's more, this office is too small for all of us.

-    Besides, there might be travel expenses.

-    Also, we will need extra cash for food and other daily expenses.

 

Making a suggestion:

-    I suggest getting a bank loan. Why don't we get a bank loan?

-    How about using our out-of-town laboratory for this project?

-    We could rent some equipment instead of buying it.

-    You could publish an article about the project in a local newspaper.

-    Wouldn't it be a good idea to start a fund-raising campaign?

-    Let's ask James for help.

 

Asking for clarification:

-    I'd like to know where you are planning to sell the product.

-    What do you mean by saying that we don't have enough people?

-    Do you mean that we should hire someone to manage the project?

-    Could you be more specific, please? What are you trying to say?

 

Explaining and clarifying:

-    I mean that we will have to move to a different office and hire more people.

-    What I am trying to say is that we don't have enough money for this project.

-    What I wanted to say was that we could use volunteers.

-    In other words, we are not ready yet.

-    You misunderstood. Let me explain.

 

Asking for agreement:

-    Do you agree? What do you think? Right? Is that right?

-    Wouldn't you agree with that? Don't you agree with that? You agree, don't you?

 

Agreeing:

-    I agree. I agree with you on this. I agree with Alexander.

-    I agree completely. I couldn't agree more. That's true. That's right.

-    You are right. Right. Of course. Certainly. Sure. Exactly. Definitely. I think so. I suppose so.

 

Disagreeing:

-    That's not exactly true. I'm afraid I don't see it that way. Not really. I'm sorry, but it's not quite right.

-    I'm afraid I disagree. I'm afraid I can't agree with that. I don't really agree with you on that.

-    To tell you the truth, I have a different opinion.

-    Basically, I understand what you mean, but I think your conclusions are wrong.

 

Understanding:

-    I understand. I see. I see what you mean. I see your point. I got it.

 

When you don't know the answer:

-    I don't know. I really don't know. I'm afraid I couldn't say. Don't ask me. I have no idea. I wish I knew.

 

 

 

 

Doubt:

-    I'm not quite sure about it. Maybe, but I'm not sure.

-    I'm not sure that I agree with your argument.

-    I have to think about it. I have mixed feelings about it.

-    Are you sure that this information is correct / accurate?

 

Disbelief:

-    It can't be true!

-      I can't believe it.

-    I don't believe it.

-    Are you serious?

-    You must be joking.

 

Approval:

-    I think that it is a great idea.

-    It's great!

-    That's great!

-    Great!

-    It's very good!

-    Very good!

-    It's a good point.

-    You did a great job.

 

Disapproval:

-    I don't like this idea. I'm against this plan. I don't think it will work.

-    It's too expensive.

-    It will take too much time. It's too time-consuming.

 

Asking to repeat:

-    I'm sorry, but could you repeat what you just said?

-    I'm afraid I haven't heard what you said.

-    Could you repeat it, please? Can you repeat it, please?

-    What did you say? Sorry? Beg your pardon?

 

Attracting attention:

-    Excuse me! Excuse me, is this Maple Street? Excuse me, sir, could you help me?

-    Excuse me, madam, where is the nearest post office? Excuse me, miss, what time is it?

-    Hey!

 

Interrupting the speaker:

-    I'm sorry to interrupt you, but could you repeat the address, please?

-    I'm sorry to interrupt, but there's a telephone call for Mr. Green.

-    Forgive me for interrupting you, but I'd like to ask a question.

-    Excuse me for interrupting you, but I don't think this information is relevant to the subject of our discussion.

-    I'm sorry for the interruption.

 

 

Asking to repeat:

-    Excuse me? I beg your pardon? Sorry?

-    What did you say? I'm afraid I haven't heard what you said.

-    Could you repeat it, please? Could you repeat what you just said, please?

 

Asking to explain:

-    I'm afraid I don't understand. Could you explain it, please?

-    What does this word mean? I'm afraid my English is not very good.

-    Could you explain what you just said, please?

 

Saying that you understand:

-    I understand. / I understood. I got it (informal). I see. I see what you mean. It's clear now.

 

Saying that you don't know:

I don't know. I'm afraid I couldn't say. I have no idea. I wish I knew.

 

Requests:

-    Could you help me, please?

-    Could you speak more slowly, please?

-    Would you mind speaking less loudly? – Oh, I'm sorry.

-    Could you lend me fifty dollars till Friday, please? – I'm afraid I can't.

-    Could I borrow your pen for a minute? – Sure. Here it is.

 

Asking for permission:

-    May I come in? – Yes, of course. Can I come in? (informal) – Sure.

-    May I use /Could I use your telephone, please?

-    Would you mind if I borrowed your calculator? – Of course not.

 

Asking to hurry:

-    Could you do it a little faster, please? Please hurry up, or we'll be late.Hurry up!

-    Come on, let's go! (informal) Come on! (informal) Show some speed, will you? (slang)

 

Asking to stop:

-    Please stop shouting. (stop talking, crying, etc.) Stop it, please. Will you please stop for a minute?

-    Wait! Wait a minute. Hold it. That will do. That will be enough. That's enough.

 

Asking to stop because you don't like what someone is doing:

-    Stop it right now! That's enough! Enough is enough! Stop bothering me!

-    That's it! Cut it out! (slang) Oh, come off it! (slang) (Stop telling me tales!)

 

Warning:

-    Watch out! Look out! Watch out for that bus! Watch your step. Watch those stairs.

-    Watch your tongue. / Watch your mouth. / Watch your language. Be careful. Careful! Behind you!

 

 

 

Giving advice:

-    You should read this book.

-    You should see a doctor.

-    You'd better stay in bed for a couple of days.

-    If I were you, I'd go to Spain.

 

Giving a compliment:

-    You look great.

-    You look wonderful.

-    That's a great suit!

-    What a lovely suit!

-    I like your new hair style.

-    You have a very nice house.

-    You speak English very well.

 

Invitations:

-    I would like to invite you to my birthday party (to dinner; to a restaurant; to a concert).

-    Would you like to go to a concert tomorrow?

-    Let's go for a walk in the park. How about a walk in the park?

-    Why don't we go to a concert?

 

Accepting an invitation:

-    Thank you for your invitation.

-    Thank you.

-    I'd love to.

-    I'd like that very much.

-    With pleasure.

-    That's a great idea.

 

Declining an invitation:

-    Thank you for the invitation, but I can't.

-    I'm afraid I can't. I have to study.

-    I'm sorry.

-    I'm busy tonight (tomorrow; on Saturday).

-    I'd like to, but I'm busy.

-    I wish I could but I really can't.

-    It's not a bad idea, but maybe some other time.

 

 

 

 

Directions: north, south, east, west, left, right; north-east, north-west, south-east, south-west.

-    The weather is good today, except in the south-west.

 

Where to find something

-    Excuse me, could you help me, please? Pardon me, can you help me, please? May I ask you a question, please?

-    I'm new in town. I'm a tourist. Where can I find a map of Chicago?

-    I'd like to know where the Sheraton Hotel is, please. How do I get to the Hilton Hotel, please?

-    Excuse me, do you know where Benson Street is, please?

-    Where is the bus stop, please?

How do I get to the center of the city, please?

-    Does this bus go to the train station? (to the center of the city, to the university, to the park, etc.)

-    How much is the fare, please? What is the fare, please?

-    Could you give me change for ten dollars, please? Is there a bank near here?

-    Could you tell me where the nearest bank is? When does the bank open /close?

-    When does the train leave/ arrive?

-    Where is the nearest supermarket, please? (grocery store, food store, bakery, department store, restaurant, etc.)

-    Is the food market open today? When is the best time to go there? What time is it?

-    Could you tell me where the restrooms are? (in a public place)

-    Excuse me, where is the men's room, please? (the ladies room, the bathroom in an apartment)

 

Example-1:

-    Excuse me! Excuse me, sir! Excuse me, madam! Excuse me, miss!

-    Could you tell me how to get to the bank, please?

-    Sure. When you leave the hotel, turn left and walk three blocks.

-    Make a left turn at the bookstore. You will see a cafe and a post office. The bank is next to the post office.

-    Thanks a lot. You're welcome.

 

Example-2:

-    Could you tell me where the Science Museum is, please? It is on the corner of Maple Street and Lincoln Road.

-    How do I get there from here, please? Go down this street and turn right at the traffic light.

-    Walk two blocks and turn right onto Maple Street.

-    Go past the department store and the flower market, and you'll see the Science Museum across the street.

-    It is a large red-brick building. You can't miss it.

-    Is it far from here? No, it's just a ten-minute walk. Thank you very much. You're welcome.

 

 

Example-3:

-    Is there a restaurant near here, please? / Can you tell me if there is a restaurant near here?

-    There is a restaurant around the corner, next to the toy store. Thanks. Don't mention it.

-    Excuse me, where is the nearest pharmacy? / Excuse me, do you know where the nearest drugstore is?

-    There is one next to the grocery store on King Street.

-    Do you see the square opposite the bank? King Street starts behind the square.

-    How long will it take to get there? About ten minutes. Thank you.

 

Example-4:

-    Could you help me, please? I'd like to know how to get to the center of the city from here.

-    The downtown bus stops in front of the hotel over there.

-    Excuse me; does this bus go to the center of the city?

-    No, you need the bus going in the opposite direction. The bus stop is on the other side of the street.

-    Oh, thank you.

 

Example-5:

-    Excuse me, could you help me? I'm new in town. I'm a tourist.

-    I'm lost. / I lost my way. Does this bus go to the amusement park?

-    Is this the right bus for the beach? How do I get to the book fair, please?

-    Sorry, you'll have to ask someone else.

 

Example-6:

-    Would you mind giving me some directions? What are you looking for?

-    The Central Exhibition. Do you know where it is? Well, it's pretty far from here. You'd better take a bus.

-    Is it a long ride? How long does it take to get there? About ten minutes by bus.

-    Which bus do I take to get there?

Let me think. It's probably best of all to take Bus 5 on East Street.

-    And where is East Street, please?

Walk down this street to the next intersection and turn right.

-    You will be on East Street.

The bus stop will be near a small park on your right.

-    Thank you. Any time. Have a nice day.

 

Example-7:

-    Could you tell me the best way to get to Technical College? What street is it on? Green Street. You can get there by bus or subway. I think it would be better to take the subway.

-    Where is the subway entrance, please? It is around the corner over there.

-    Which subway train do I take?

Take any train going downtown and get off at the next station. Then change to the train going to Green Street. Thank you. You are welcome.

 

 

 

Example-8:

-    Excuse me, can you help me? I'm looking for Redwood Travel Agency. / I'm trying to find Redwood Travel Agency. It's on the fifth floor. Go to the end of this hall and turn left. The elevators are there.

-    The receptionist on the fifth floor will help you to find their office.

-    Thank you. One more question, please. Could you tell me where the restrooms are?

-    They are on the second floor. Take the escalator to the second floor, turn right and go down the hallway.

-    The restrooms are on the left, opposite the stationery store. Thank you very much.

 

Example-9:

-    Excuse me, where's the exit, please? Through the lobby and down the stairs. Thank you.

 

Shoping:

-    I have to go to the supermarket to buy some food. Where is the nearest supermarket?

Where is the grocery store / food market, please? Excuse me, where can I find dairy products?

Excuse me, could you tell me where the dairy section is? It's on aisle 4, next to the bakery section.

-    I'd like three sesame rolls, please. A package of hamburger rolls, please.

-    I'd like a pound of cheese, please. I'd like a half pound of butter, please.

-    I'd like a package of cottage cheese and a container of sour cream, please.

-    Three cups of strawberry yogurt, please. A carton of milk /orange juice, please. A quart of milk, please.

-    A jar of mayonnaise, please, and a bottle of tomato sauce / a bottle of ketchup.

-    Two big oranges, please, two pounds of red apples, and a package of sweet cherries.

-    I'd like a head of cauliflower, please. A bunch of carrots, please.

-    Two pounds of tomatoes, a pound of onions, a bag of potatoes, and a package of hot dogs, please.

-    Four pork chops, a pound of ground beef, and four fish steaks, please.

-    Six frozen hamburgers and one small chicken, please.

-    A pound of ham and a pound of smoked sausage, please.

-    A dozen eggs, please. A box of spaghetti /flakes /chocolates /chocolate, please.

-    A six-pack of beer and a twelve-pack of mineral water, please.

-    Two bottles of spring water, please. A can of lemonade, please.

-    A bottle of red wine, please. Four rolls of toilet paper, please.

-    Two packs of Winston cigarettes and a pack of chewing gum, please.

-    How much are these nectarines? How much does it come to? How much is it?

-    It's sixty-four dollars and thirty cents. They are three dollars a pound.

-    Here's sixty-five dollars. Thank you.

-    Here's your change. Have a nice day!

 

 

 

 

-    I'm going to visit Chicago next month.

-    Could you recommend a good hotel?

-    I'd like to stay at a quiet inexpensive hotel not far from the center.

-    I would like to stay at a large modern hotel downtown.

 

Reserving a room on the phone:

-    The Rose Hotel. May I help you?

-    Hello! I'd like to reserve a single room/ a double room for six days starting on May sixth.

-    I'd like to reserve a small suite. I'd like a room with a bed for a child.

-    I'd like a room facing the park / overlooking the river. I'd like a room with a view of the lake.

-    My name is Cahit Karakus, with double S.

-    Would you like a smoking or non-smoking room, Mr. Karakus? Non-smoking, please.

-    Yes, we'll have a non-smoking single room available on May sixth.

-    What is the rate for a single room? It's $70 a night plus tax.

It's seventy dollars a night plus tax.

-    Great. Please reserve a single room for me.

-    All right. We'll have the room for you on May sixth. Thank you very much.

 

Checking in at the hotel: Front desk / Reception desk

-    Hello! My name is Jack Brown. I have a reservation for a single room. I'd like to check in. Yes, Mr. Brown. How many nights are you going to stay?

Six nights. I'm going to leave on May twelfth.

-    Do you have a credit card? Here it is.

-    Please fill out the registration form. Here you are.

-    Here's your key. Room 735 on the seventh floor. Enjoy your stay. Thank you.

 

If you don't have a reservation:

-    Hello! Do you have any vacancies? I need a single room for three days.

-    I'm afraid we don't have any vacancies. / I'm sorry. We are fully booked.

-    Is there another hotel near here that might have vacant rooms?

-    Try the Oak Hotel across the street. They might be able to offer something.

-    Hello! I need a single room for three days. Do you have a reservation? I'm afraid I don't.

-    Let me check whether we have any vacancies.

-    We don't have any single rooms today, but there's a double room available.

-    What is the daily rate for a double room? It's ninety-eight dollars per night plus tax.

-    Is breakfast included? Yes. / Yes, it is.

-    Can I see the room?Certainly. The bellboy / bellhop / bellman will show you the room.

-    All right, I'll take this room.

-    Do you have a credit card? I'll pay cash. Then you have to pay in advance. All right.

 

 

 

Asking to deliver food to your room:

-    Room Service. May I help you?

-    Hello! Could you send breakfast to Room 465, please? I'd like orange juice, hot rolls with butter and honey, and black coffee.

-    Hello! This is Room 374. I'd like to order a bowl of hot tomato soup, a cheese sandwich, and green tea with lemon, please.

 

Other questions about a hotel room:

-    Does the room have a shower /a bath /air conditioning?

-    Is there a safe deposit box in the room? Is there television in the room?

-    Is there a telephone in the room? Are local calls free?

 

Asking about hotel services:

-    Is there a restaurant in the hotel? When is breakfast served? Breakfast is served from 7:00 to 10:00.

-    Can I get Internet access in the hotel? Where can I send a fax? Is there a business center in the hotel?

-    When does the business center open? When does it close?

-    Is there a fitness center / a health club in the hotel? Does the hotel have a gym?

-    Is there an exercise room / a workout room in the hotel? Is the use of the fitness machines free of charge?

-    Is there a swimming pool in the hotel? Until when is the swimming pool open?

-    Does the hotel have any facilities for children? Is there a playroom for children in the hotel?

-    What facilities for the handicapped does the hotel have? Are pets allowed in the hotel?

-    Does the hotel offer any excursions around the city?

-    Does the hotel provide a shuttle bus to the airport? Do I need to reserve a seat on the bus in advance?

-    The bus for the airport leaves from the hotel entrance every two hours. Advance reservation of the seats is required.

 

Communication with the front desk clerk: (On the phone from the room or in person.)

-    Front desk. Can I help you? Hello! This is Room 814.

-    There is no hot water in my room. Could you send someone up to fix it?

-    There are no towels / soap / shampoo / toilet paper in the bathroom. Can you send them up, please?

-    The bathroom light / the TV / the heating / the air conditioner in my room doesn't work.

-    There is no stationery / TV program / Room Service menu in my room.

-    Can you give me a wake-up call at 7:00 a.m., please?

-    How do I get to the airport / to the center / to the photo exhibition from the hotel?

-    Could you call a taxi for me, please?

-    Could you recommend good toy stores and gift shops not far from here?

-    Could you reserve a table for dinner for me, please? I'd like a table for four people for 7:00 p.m.

-    Is there a laundromat near the hotel?

-    I feel sick. Is there a doctor in the hotel? Could you find a doctor for me, please?

-    Room 506. The key, please. Are there any messages for me, please?

 

 

 

Talking to the chambermaid:

-    Hello! I'd like to press these trousers. Where can I find an iron?

-    You can use an iron in the valet service room. It's next to the freight elevator.

-    I'd like to have these shirts washed and pressed and this suit cleaned as soon as possible.

-    Fill out laundry and dry cleaning slips, and I'll take the shirts and the suit to the laundry and dry cleaning service. They will be ready today in the evening.

-    Thank you very much.

 

Checking out:

-    Prepare my bill, please. I'm leaving tomorrow morning.

-    What is the hotel's check-out time? Check-out time is 12:00 noon.

-    Can I leave my luggage / baggage at the hotel for a couple of hours after I check out? Yes, certainly.

-    Hello, I'd like to check out. My name is Alexander Belkin, Room 432.

-    Here's your bill, sir. Three hundred seventy-six dollars.

-    Here you are. Thank you very much.

-    You are welcome. Have a nice day!

 

 

-    Hello, Maria. How are you? Fine, thank you. How are you?

Fine, thanks. I would like to invite you to our annual party for new students. How nice! I'd love to. Thank you for your invitation.

-    Hello, Lina. I'm glad to see you. How are you? I'm fine, thank you. And you?

Fine, thank you. I was wondering if you would like to go with me to the new Italian restaurant tonight.

I'm afraid I can't. I'm very busy tonight. But thanks for the invitation. Well, maybe some other time. Good-bye!

 

 

Formal and informal phrases for invitations:

Formal polite phrases:

-    Would you like to go to a concert (show, play, party, reception) with me?

-    I would like to invite you to a concert (show, play, party, reception) tomorrow night.

-    We would like to invite you to dinner (at our house; at a restaurant) tonight.

-    I was wondering if you would like to attend a concert (ceremony, meeting) next Saturday.

-    We would be very pleased if you would attend our wedding ceremony next week.

 

Informal phrases:

-    Let's have dinner together sometime. Let's go to the cinema (to the movies). Let's go to a football game.

-    Do you feel like going to the beach? Why don't we go to a concert? How about a movie tonight?

-    How about a cup of coffee in a nice quiet cafe?

 

 

Asking about someone's plans

-    Are you free tomorrow evening? Have you made any plans for tomorrow?

-    Do you have any plans for Saturday evening?

-    Are you busy on Friday night? What are you going to do tomorrow evening? What are you doing tonight?

 

Some people may feel uncomfortable if you ask about their plans, because if they say that they are free, it will be more difficult for them to decline your invitation (if they don't want to accept it).

-    In such cases they may respond in the following way:

-    Why do you ask? I don't know yet. Why? I'm not sure about my plans yet.

 

Responses to invitations:

Accepting an invitation:

-    I'd like that very much. I'd really like that. I'd love to.

-    Thank you for the invitation. I'd love to. Thank you very much. I would like to come.

-    That's a great (wonderful, good) idea. I'd love to go with you.

-    What a great (wonderful, good) idea! I'd like that very much.

 

Declining an invitation:

-    Thank you for the invitation, but I may be busy then (on Friday; next week).

-    That's not a bad idea, but maybe some other time, OK?

-    I'm afraid I won't be able to go.

-    I'm sorry. I don't feel well. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm busy tonight. I wish I could, but I really can't.

 

Inviting someone to go with you:

-    I'm going to the art museum. Would you like to go with me?

-    I'm planning to visit the new auto exhibition. Do you want to come with me?

-    I'm going to the central market. Do you want to join me?

-    I'm going for a walk in the park. Would you like to come along?

-    I have two tickets for a jazz concert next Friday. Would like to go to the concert with me?

-    Would you like to see a movie tonight?

 

Invitation to a party:

-    We are having a party next Saturday. Can you come?

-    I would like to invite you to my birthday party this Saturday.

-    Can you come over for dinner tomorrow? We would be glad to see you.

-    We are going to have a picnic by the river next Sunday. Would you like to join us?

-    We would like to invite you to our wedding reception next month.

-    Tom and Vera are going to give a farewell party next Saturday. We've been invited.

-    (Types of parties are described in Holidays and Parties in the section Vocabulary. Phrases for conversation at a party are listed in At a Party in the section Phrases.)

 

 

 

Other related phrases:

-    Let's watch TV. What's on? There is a good film on Channel 15.

-    I'd rather go to the theater. What's playing? My Fair Lady.

-    Who's the leading lady? Who's playing Professor Higgins?

-    I'd like two tickets for today's performance, please.

-    Two seats in the orchestra, please.

-    How do you like this play? What do you think of it? It's great. It's not bad. It's very interesting.

-    How did you like the film? It was OK.

-    It was terrible! I didn't like it at all.

-    It was great! I liked it a lot.

 

 

-    You are at the airport in a foreign city. You want to hire a taxi to take you to your hotel, but first you want to find out the fare so that the taxi driver can’t overcharge you.

You say to the taxistand attendant:

Excuse me, could you please tell me approximately how much it will cost me to go to the Smith Hotel?

 

-    As an eminent scholar in political science, you have been asked by the organizing committee of an international conference to be one of their plenary speakers. You are pleased with the invitation and wish to express your thanks to the committee for honouring.

You say:

Let me say how glad I am for the invitation you have extended to me. I really feel privileged to speak at the plenary session. I am grateful to you all.