Cost of Living / Personal Documents

A. To talk about changes in prices.

 

• The price has gone up.
• It went up (last month/sharply/gradually)
• The cost of (food) is rising.
• There was a rise in price.
• In (summer) prices should go down.
• The cost of (this) went down (last year).
• The price of (oil) may drop.
• We had a drop in (salary costs).
• It was a sharp drop/ a slight drop.
• There was a fall in prices.
• Prices stayed the same.
• The cost of living will stay level.
• Prices are at about the same level.

B. Talking about living costs

 

• (Houses) are very expensive/cheap.
• We can/can’t afford (chocolate).
• It’s (not) hard/difficult.
• Some people find it difficult to cope.
• It’s very hard for (people on a pension)
• We’re better off/worse off.
• What’s it like in (your country)?
• How is it with you?

C. Talking about tax

 

• The government takes (30%) in tax.
• You have to pay income tax/sales tax.
• I pay (a third) in tax.
• (10%) of your salary goes for insurance.
• The taxes are high/low.
• There’s good social security/insurance.
• You get a pension at the age of 60
• How much do you pay in (income tax)?
• What are the taxes like?

TALKING ABOUT PERSONAL DOCUMENTS

D. To ask if documents are necessary.

 

• What document do I need?
• Do I need any documents?
• Are there any formalities?
• Do I have to have (proof of identity)?
• Do I need a (visa)?
• Is my (driving license) enough?
• Will they accept a (banker’s card)?

E. Describing personal documents.

 

• It’s my (driving license/birth certificate)
• It’s a (Swiss passport)/an (identity card).
• This is a (cheque book/credit card).
• They’re my papers.
• This is for (insurance).
• You can’t (get a job) without it.
• You must have (this).
• It’s valid until (June).
• It’s all in order.
• This is out of date.
• They’re all up to date.
• They’re all up to date.
• It expires in (June).

F. Organizing documents

 

• I need a form for (an exit visa).
• I want to apply for (a work permit).
• I must get a (tax form).
• My (insurance) is going to run out (in July).
• I have to renew it.
• I've lost my (credit card).
• I want to renew my (visa).
• I've lost my (credit card).
• I want to renew my (visa).
• I've got two passport photographs.
• This is a photocopy of my (birth certificate).
• How many copies do I need?
• I have/haven’t put my signature on it.
• Could you explain this form to me, please?
• I don’t understand this question.
• Can you help me fill in this form, please?
• Could you help me with this?

Daily Activities

A. Daily Activity: Dialogue

 

• What time do you get up?
• I get up at about six.
• What time is breakfast at your house?
• Breakfast is always at a quarter to seven.
• What do you usually do in the afternoon?
• We usually study or read.
• What do you generally do over the weekend?
• We generally enjoy sports and visit friends.
• Do you ever go to museums?
• I go every now and then.
• What kinds of things do you like to see?
• I enjoy seeing statues and old paintings.
• Do you watch television very often?
• Well, I sometimes watch it in the evening.
• Did you watch television last night?
• Yes, I did. I saw several good programs.
• Do you ever listen to the radio?
• Certainly. In fact, I listen practically every night.

B. When did you have lunch today?

 

• I ate at noon.
• Where did you have your lunch?
• I had it at Koshy’s Restaurant today.
• Did you have a good time at the party?
• We had a wonderful time.
• It was really a lot of fun.
• We ought to have another party like that soon.
• Did you work at home last night?
• Yes. I washed the dishes and cleaned the house.
• Did you do anything else?
• Yes. I listened to the radio for a while.
• Did you have a good time last night?
• Yes. I had a wonderful time.
• You’ll probably have fund tomorrow too.
• I’m sure I’ll have an excellent time.
• Where did you go?
• We went to a beautiful beach.
• Did you swim in the ocean?
• Yes, but we swam close to the shore!

C. What did you do?

 

• Where did you go after lunch?
• I went to the public library.
• Which one did you go to?
• I went to the one at 42^nd Street.
• What did you do last night?
• I watched television.
• Where did you watch it?
• I watched it here in the recreation room.
• Was the television program interesting?
• I thought it was very boring.
• What did your friends think of it?
• They were bored too.
• I went to a lecture last night.
• What was it about?
• Society and modern art.
• I wish I’d gone with you.
• We went to the movies the night before last.
• What did you see?

D. Where have you been?

 

• I've been to the movies.
• What did you see?
• I saw an Italian movie about life in Sicily.
• What places have you seen so far?
• I've been to almost all the museums.
• Have you gone to any parks yet?
• No, I haven’t. I haven’t had enough time for that.
• Let’s meet at your house tonight.
• O.K. That sounds fine.
• Let’s watch television for a while.
• All right, but let’s finish this work first.
• Oh, let’s not do the work right now.
• You’re just lazy, in my opinion.
• I can’t hear the television set.
• Why don’t you sit closer?
• I’m right beside it now.
• Why don’t you turn up the volume?

E. Evening Activities

 

• Let’s go the movies tonight.
• Fine. I don’t have anything else to do.
• What would you like to see?
• Why don’t we look in the movie section of the newspaper?
• Where are you going tonight?
• I’m joining to the political rally for Senator Smith.
• Sounds interesting. Can we go with you?
• Certainly. Meet me here at eight fifteen.
• Would you like to go to the concert with me tonight?
• Yes. Thank you very much.
• Would you like to go at about eight o’clock?
• That would be fine.
• What are you going to do tonight?
• I haven’t decided yet.
• Would you like to go to the movies?
• Can I call you and tell you later?
• Would you like to go to the movies tonight?
• I’d rather stay home and watch television.
• Are there going to be any good play on channel 4.

Living in an Apartment / a House

A. Talking About Home

 

• It’s in the city/the town/the country.
• I live in the suburbs/at the seaside.
• It’s near (Houston).
• It’s in a quiet area/a busy district.
• I live near a park/in Central street.
• It’s not very far from (the city centre).
• It’s near (the football stadium).
• Where do you live?
• What sort of area is it?
• Is it near (Milan)?

B. Describing the type of home

 

• We have a flat/a house/a room.
• It’s a (three-) room flat.
• It’s a flat/apartment is on the (third) floor.
• We rent a house/own our house.
• It’s got (three) bedrooms.
• It’s got (three) floors.
• There’s a (garden).
• It has a (garage)
• Do you live in a flat?
• Do you rent it?
• Have you bought it?
• Is it your own?
• How big is it?

C. Living in an Apartment: Dialogue

 

• Do you like your new apartment?
• Yes. I like the service in the building, too.
• Are there doormen and guards?
• Yes and the building is close to the shopping areas.
• What floor is your apartment on?
• It’s on the third floor.
• Is the building a walk – up?
• No. It has a small elevator.
• How large is your apartment?
• It has four and a half rooms
• Then you have two bedrooms.
• Right. A living room, a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bath.
• Is this your apartment?
• Yes, it is.
• How many bedrooms do you have ?
• Two big ones and a small one.
• What’s co-operative apartment?
• In a co-operative, you actually buy the apartment.
• Just as you would buy a house?
• Yes. Then you only pay maintenance costs each month.

D. Living in a House: Dialogue

 

• Do you prefer a one-stair or a two-stair’s house?
• One –story, I think.
• I do too, because there are no stairs to climb.
• But one – stair houses take more land.
• Your house is very large.
• Yes. We have enough room for guests now.
• Our house is too small.
• You don’t have enough room, do you?
• Where’s the bathroom?
• The bathroom is opposite that big bedroom.
• Is this the kitchen?
• Yes. It’s a big kitchen, isn't it?
• I enjoy having a house in the suburbs.
• It’s wonderful to have trees and a big yard.
• The children can play outside most of the time.
• And it’s so much cleaner here than in the city.
• How much did you pay for your house?
• It cost eighteen thousand dollars and we've spent another two thousand on repairs.
• Did you have trouble getting a mortgage?
• No. We paid four thousand dollars, and the bank lent us the rest.

Talking About Cooking & Dieting

A. Describing a dish

 

To describe a dish, use:

• It’s (sweet/cold).
• It’s a (meat) dish.
• It’s cooked in (sauce).
• It tastes very good / spicy / rich
• Is it (fried)?
• How is it cooked?
• What does it taste like?

B. Describing cooking processes

 

• It’s (not) very easy / simple.
• You need (about a kilo of chicken).
• You cook it slowly, for about (forty) minutes.
• It takes (about an hour).
• You  put it in the oven/in the fridge.
• You fry it in a little oil or fat.
• After that, you add (pepper).
• The recipe says (two glasses of wine).
• What’s the recipe?
• How do you make (this)?
• How long do you (bake) it?
• Do you use (milk)?

C. Describing types of cooking

 

• It’s (French/Italian).
• It’s a typical (Indian) dish.
• The recipe comes from (Mexico)
• Where is this from?
• Is this a (Spanish) dish?
• What do you think of (Indian) food?
• Do you like (it)?
• What’s (Lebanese) food like?
• What’s a typical (Lebanese) dish?
• I don’t like (Japanese) food.
• I prefer (western) to (eastern) food.
• My favourite dish is (Chicken Manjurian)

D. Asking about daily diet

 

• _______________ Do you eat (eggs)?
• _______________ What do you have for (breakfast)?
• _______________ What’s a normal (lunch) for you?
• _______________ What do you normally do for (dinner)?
• _______________ Do you eat a lot of (pasta)?

E. Describing normal diet

 

• We usually have (three meals a day).
• We often have (eggs for breakfast).
• I don’t eat much (meat).
• They eat a lot of (fruit).
• They don’t eat a lot in the (evening).

F. Asking about dieting

 

• Are you on diet?
• Can you eat anything?
• Do you eat anything?
• Are you dieting?
• What are you allowed to eat?

G. Talking about dieting

 

• I’m on a diet.
• The doctor’s put me on a diet.
• I’m dieting.
• I’m trying to lose weight.
• I have to be careful of what I eat.
• I’m not allowed to (eat bread).
• I can’t (drink coffee).
• Is there any (salt) in this?
• I’m not allowed to have (salt)
• Does this have (alcohol) in it?
• I have to restrict myself to (600) calories a day
• How many calories are you allowed a day?
• How many calories are there in (this)?

Dealing with the Police / Fire / Ambulance

A. Telephoning emergency services

 

• When you phone emergency, they ask:
• Where are you?
• Where is it?
• What’s happened?
• Can you give me an idea about the correct location?
• Your reply:
• Fire/Police/Ambulance.
• I’m at/It’s at (the corner of South Street)
• It’s on the main road.
• It’s about two kilometers north of Mg road.
• There’s an accident/a fire.
• There are (several) people injured.
• There’s a fire/an accident.
• There’s someone very ill/badly hurt.
• There are (two) people in the water.
• Someone’s been badly hurt / injured.

B. Stating the case

 

• I’d like to report (an accident/a robbery).
• I want to report (a crime/an attack).
• I’m reporting a (missing passport).
• I've lost (my bag).
• My (wife) has been robbed.
• My (car) has been stolen.
• There’s been (an accident).
• I've been (robbed).

C. Giving the circumstances

 

• We were walking along the street.
• We were asleep.
• I was working/having dinner.
• I was shopping / stepping into the bank.
• It was at about (ten o’clock).
• It was yesterday evening/last night.
• It was in the hotel/in the street.
• This was on the beach/in the car park
• Two men took away (my wife’s handbag).
• A man/A woman came up to me.
• Someone picked my pocket.
• They ran away / They drove off.
• I didn’t see anyone.
• I didn’t see / hear / notice anything.

D. Describing

 

• He/She was about (25).
• They were (quite young).
• They were (tall).
• She had a (light build).
• He/She had (short dark hair).
• They were driving a (cab).

E. Notifying a Loss

 

• I've lost my (passport).
• I can’t find my (Money)?
• I think I've lost my (driving license).
• I've lost a (new Canon camera).
• What have you lost?
• What was it like?
• What does it look like?
• Can you describe it?

F. Describing when & where

 

• I know I had it (this morning)
• I must have lost it (last night)
• I last saw it (yesterday morning)
• How long has it been lost?
• When did you last see it?
• I lost it (on the beach).
• I left it behind (on the train).
• It was (in my room).
• I may have left it (in the bank).
• I must have lost it (at the theatre).
• Where did you last see it?
• Where was it?

G. Leaving personal details

 

• My name is…
• My address is…
• Here is my card.
• Here is my name and address.
• Please ring me at (this number) if you find it.
• Please write to (this address)
• Can you return it to me at (this address)?
• What is your name and address?
• Could I have your name and address?

H. Stating urgency

 

• This is (very) urgent.
• It’s an emergency.
• There’s an emergency (here).
• It’s very serious.
• It looks very serious.
• We need help urgently.
• We need a police car/an ambulance,
• We need a police car/ an ambulance immediately
• Call the fire brigade/the hospital at once.
• Get a doctor/policeman straight away.
• We urgently need a rescue boat/an ambulance.

Asking for Facilities Toilet / Washing / Luggage

A. Asking for the Toilet

In a private house, use:

• May I use your lavatory?
• Where is the lavatory?

In public place, use:

• Where are the toilets?

For a man, use:

• Where is the gents’?
• I need to use the gents’?

For a Woman, use:

• Where is the ladies’?
• I need to use the ladies’

To be informal in America, use:

• Where is the john?
• I want to meet john.

To be informal in Britain, use:

• Where is the loo?
• I want to use the loo.

B. Asking for a bathroom

In a private house, use:

• May I have a wash?
• I’m rather dirty.
• I’m feeling a bit dirty
• Could I use your bathroom?
• I’d like to wash my hands.

In a public place, use:

• Is there a washroom/bathroom here?
• Is there somewhere here I can clean up?
• I want to wash my hands.

In a hotel or guest house, you may need:

• Where is the shower?
• Where is the bathroom?

C. Washing clothes

To find out where to wash clothes, use:

• Is there a launderette near here?
• Where is the nearest launderette/Laundromat?
• I need to wash/dry clean some clothes.

To get someone else to do the washing, use:

• Is there a laundry here?
• Is there a laundry service here?
• I want to have some clothes washed.
• I want to have some clothes dry cleaned.

D. To ask about left-luggage facilities.

 

• Is there anywhere here I can leave my bags?
• Is there a left-luggage place near here?
• Can I leave my luggage place near here?
• Can I leave my luggage anywhere here?
• Where are the nearest left-luggage lockers?
• I don’t want to carry this around with me.
• Can I leave these here until four o’clock?
• Will your office be open after six o’clock?
• Do I pay now, or when I collect?
• Please be careful with the brown bag.

E. At the lockers

 

To ask someone for change, use:

• Excuse me; have you got change for a pound?
• Have you got any change for this?

To ask someone for help, use:

• Do you know how to work these things?
• Could you give me a hand with this?

If something goes wrong, use:

• Excuse me, are you in charge of the left-luggage lockers?
• My (case) is too big/it won’t fit in.
• I put the money in/I put my luggage in.
• I can’t open it/I can’t make it work.
• I can’t get my luggage out.
• I can’t get my money back.

F. To ask if you can leave bags somewhere

• Would it be possible for me to leave there?
• Can I leave these here (until about six)?
• Could you (please) look after (this) for me?
• I’ll pick it/them up (at six o’clock)
• Could I leave (my luggage) here (for an hour)?
• I’ll be back (in a few hours)

To identify your baggage, use:

• The (green) one is mine.
• Mine is (brown).
• I left (two suitcases) here.

BOOKING SEATS & BUYING A TICKET

A. Conversation at the Cinema

• Give me two tickets for the balcony, please.
• Please give (sixty rupees).
• We need corner seats. Here is the money.
• It is the third row from the back. These are good seats.
• Thank you very much. Has the film started?
• No it hasn’t started yet. You are in time for the film.
• What about the electricity situation here? I hope it doesn’t go very often.
• You don’t have to worry on that account, sir. We have our own generator for electricity.

B. Specifying the performance

• What’s the programme on Sunday?
• What’s on Wednesday evening?
• I’m trying to get tickets for Space Wars.
• I want to see (Carmen) on Thursday
• Is Rigoletto on Friday evening?
• What time is the performance this evening?
• What time is the show?

C. Booking seats

• I’d like two seats.
• I’d like to book two seats.
• Can I have two seats for this evening?
• Have you got any seats left for this evening?
• I’d like a seat for the 8 o’clock show.
• I’d like two for the 7:30 performance.
• In the stalls.
• In the balcony.
• Upstairs/Downstairs.
• At the front/Near the back.
• In the first row.
• In one of the back five rows.
• At the side/In the middle.
• Is that a good seat? /Are those good seats?
• What are they like?
• Can you see/her all right from there?

D. Asking about the show

• When/What time should I/we be there?
• Will you hold the tickets for me till 7:30?
• How long does it/the performance last?
• What time does it end?
• When does the performance end?
• Is there an interval?
• How many intervals are there?

E. Finding the ticket office

• Where can I get a ticket?
• Where do I buy a ticket?
• Is there a ticket office near here?
• Where can I get a plane ticket to Kochi?
• Where’s the nearest travel agency?
• You can get your ticket on the corner.
• It’s on the left/right.
• You get the ticket from the man on board the bus.

F Buying a ticket

• What sort of ticket do I need/should I get?
• What do I need (to leave here today and return next Sunday)?
• Should I get a weekend return?
• One, please.
• Two singles to Mumbai.
• London return.
• A return ticket to Bangalore, please.
• I’d like one seat on the two o’clock
• Can I have a return ticket to Mumbai, please?
• How much is it?
• How much does it cost?
• How much does a weekend return cost?
• Is there a special price for students?
• Is it cheaper on Sundays?
• Can I pay by Card?
• Is this ticket all right for the airport?
• Is this valid for the return journey?
• Is this the right ticket for this train?
• Does this take me to Dover first class?
• Can I book a sleeper here?
• I’d like to send my luggage ahead
• I want a smoking seat.

Suggestions : Agreeing or Disagreeing.

A. Making a suggestion

• Shall we go now?
• How about buying a new car?
• Why don’t you let out that Apartment to John?
• Couldn’t we ask Mr. David?
• Let’s hold up the cleaning up tomorrow.
• You can look at them one by one, if you like.
• Let’s go by bus.
• How about a cup of Tea?
• Let’s go in the same Bus as Mary.
• Why don’t we look in the local directory?
• Why not go in a house boat?
• Get an electrician to come and fix it.
• I guess you’d better go right now.
• I think it’d be a good idea to ask him to come with us.
• Let’s take a break for a while.
• Shall we go out for a meal this evening?
• Let’s not fix the date now.
• We might try explaining it to him.
• Have you tried drinking a little warm milk before going to bed?
• You might have a look at this TV show.
• How about a jacket to go with these trousers?
• What about another day, then?
• We could stop now, if you like.
• I think you should go right away.
• Let’s go and have a look.
• I suggest we take up the matter with his superiors.
• We could try and explain it to them, if you like.

B. To show strong agreement with opinions

 

• That’s absolutely true.
• I completely agree.
• I couldn’t agree more.
• That’s great idea.
• That’s an excellent think to do.
• That seems a splendid idea.
• Yes, of course.
• Yes, all right. OK.
• Yeah, great!
• OK, that sounds fine.
• Why not?
• Sure!
• I’d go along with you there,
• I quite agree – you’re quite right.
• That’s good idea!
• That’s just what I wanted to say.
• Yes, that’d be very nice.
• I suppose you’re right.
• A good suggestion.
• I think we’ll give it a try.
• That’d be fine.
• What a good idea!
• It’s really no problem.
• I’d like that very much.

C. To Show strong disagreement with opinions.

 

• I completely/strongly disagree.
• I think that’s absolutely wrong.
• That’s rubbish.
• That’s non-sense.
• That’s a terrible idea.
• That’s a really bad suggestion.
• Certainly not.
• I’m not so sure.
• That’s easier said than done.
• I’m not very keen on that, really.
• I’m not sure that’d be wise.
• Your idea sounds good, but I don’t think it’ll really work.
• I’m not sure I’d go about it that way.
• I don’t think that’s such a good idea, you know.
• No, let’s try that one instead.
• That’s very well for you to say.
• No, don’t let put it off any longer.
• We can’t do any such thing, and that’s that.
• I’m not sure about that, actually.
• I doubt if that’d work.
• Your suggestion sounds fine in theory, but I don’t think it’d work in practice.

D. Asking for a suggestion

 

• Have you got any suggestions?
  Which of these do you think should I buy?
• Can you suggest a way out?
• What shall I do?
• How can I remove this ink-stain?
• Can anybody suggest what we might do?
• Where should we keep it?
• Who must I speak to about this – David or his deputy?
• What on earth should I do, then?
• How shall I pack your things?
• When shall we go to see them?
• When should I start, do you think?

Asking & Giving Explanations

A.

Sometimes, things happen that we would like explanation and we must demand explanations. For example, if you have just bought a new computer and there is a problem but the shop assistant says that the guaranty does not cover the problem. There are a number of formulas used when demanding explanations in English. Here are some of the most common:

Can you tell me why….?

Can you tell me why it has taken you so long to respond?

I don’t understand why…

I don’t understand why it has taken you so long to respond?

Can you explain why…?

Can you explain why it has taken you so long to respond?

Why is it that…

Why is it that it has taken you so long to respond?

How come…

How come it has taken you so long to respond?

Does this mean…

Does this mean that it has taken you so long to respond?

Do you really expect me to believe…?

Do you really expect me to believe that you weren’t able to finish on time?

B. Asking for explanations

 

• What does that mean?
• What’s the meaning of that word?
• Does that mean yes or no?
• I’m afraid I don’t understand.
• Could you explain the first part please?

• If it becomes clear, use:
• I see/ I understand.
• Thank you, I see now.

• If it’s still not clear, use:
• I still don’t see/understand.

• To be more formal, use:

• I’m afraid I still don’t understand/follow.

C. Giving explanations

 

• When people don’t understand you, use:
• I mean this
• I’m trying to say this
• In other words, on Thursday
• What I mean is this…

To check if people understand, use:

• Do you understand?
• Is that the right word?
• Am I making myself clear?

To rephrase something, use a different order:

• There’s something wrong with my car.
• I’ll be out on Friday.
• In other words, on Friday I won’t be here.

D. Actions and processes

To explain an action or process, use:

 

• We do it like this because it’s quicker.
• That was because we were late.
• It’s to prevent people from parking here.
• The reason for this is money.
• It’s caused by the hot weather.

To ask for explanations, use:

• Why?
• Why did he do that?
• What’s the reason for this?
• Can you explain this?