At a Restaurant

A. Ordering a Meal: Dialogue

• Hi. How are you doing this afternoon?
• Fine, thank you. Can I have the menu, please?
• Certainly, here you are.
• Thank you. What’s today’s special?
• Grilled tuna and cheese on rye.
• That sounds good. I’ll have that.
• Would you like something to drink?
• Yes, I’d like a coke.
• Thank you. (returning with the food) Here you are. Enjoy your meal!
• That’ll be $6.75
• Here you are. Keep the change!
• Thank you! Have a nice day!
• Bye.

B. At a restaurant: Dialogue

• Could we have a table for four?
• There’s a nice table right there by the window.
• May we also have the menu right away?
• I’ll get the menu immediately.
• Would you care for some roast beef?
• No. I’ll have sirloin steak.
• How do you like your steak?
• I’d prefer it medium rare.
• Would you like to have soup?
• Yes. Creamed onion, please.
• Mashed, boiled, or French-fried potatoes?
• I’ll have the French-fried.
• What vegetables would you like with your dinner?
• Carrots, please, and corn with cream sauce.
• What kind of dressing do you want on your salad-French?
• I believe I’ll take Russian dressing tonight.
• Would you like to order a dessert?
• What kinds of pie do you have?
• Peach, lemon, cream and apple.
• I’d like lemon cream, please.

C. When going into a restaurant, use:

·         We’d like to eat.

·         Could I have a table for (five)?

·         Could I have the menu, please?

·         I’d like to see the menu.

D. Ordering

• Can you recommend the (fish)?
• What do you recommend?
• What is this?
• How is this made?
• Is this fish?
• I’ll have the soup.
• I won’t have a starter/an hors d’oeuvre.
• I’ll just have a main course.
• I’ll have the (steak) but no (chips) please.
• I don’t want any dessert/anything else.
• (My friend) will have a (beer).

E. Paying

• The bill, please.
• Could I have the bill?
• The check, please
• I’d like the check
• Is service included?
• Does this include service and tax?
• What’s this charge for?
• Are you sure this is right?
• There’s a mistake in the bill.
• You’ve charged me for (two bottles of wine).
• Do you accept (credit card)?

You want to reserve a table for five at a restaurant called the Slanted Door. Call the restaurant and make a reservation for 8:00 this Saturday

You work at a restaurant called the Slanted Door. Answer the phone. (The restaurant is completely booked for Friday and Saturday nights this week.)

Talking about Eating

A. Starting the meal

• It’s ready.
• Sit down/Shall we sit down?
• Dinner is ready.
• This looks/smells good.
• I’m looking forward to this.

B. During the meal

• Pass the salt, please?
• Could you pass the (salt), please?
• May I have the (salt), please?
• Could I have some more potato?
• It’s very nice/delicious.
• What’s the name of this dish?
• Would you like some more potato?
• Is everything all right?
• Would you prefer tea or coffee?

C. After the meal

• Thank you for (the lunch).
• Thank you for (a delicious dinner).
• That was very nice/delicious.
• I enjoyed that.
• I hope you enjoyed it.
• I’m glad you liked it.

D. Conversation

• I am feeling hungry.
• What would you like to eat?
• What pickles do you have?
• Have you had your breakfast?
• Not yet, Mary.
• Prepare/make the breakfast.
• Let’s have breakfast together.
• Just taste it.
• No, I have to attend a party.
• What sweet dishes do you have?
• Has John finished with his meals?
• Hurry up. Food has been served.
• You hardly had anything.
• Have a little more.
• Please have some more.
• Get me a cup of coffee.
• Pour the coffee.
• Pass me the salt please.
• Give me some fresh butter please.
• Get/bring some more.
• Help yourself, please.
• Change the plates,
• Are you vegetarian?
• No, I am a non-vegetarian.
• I’ll dine out today.
• Would you have milk?
• I have just sat down to have milk?
• I’m not fond of rice.
• Will you have some bread and butter?
• Two chapattis have not been enough for me.
• Pea-n-potato is my favorite dish.
• It is dinner time, get ready.
• There is less salt in the vegetable curry.
• Do not take water on an empty stomach.
• What is the menu for today?
• Bring a pinch of salt from your mother.
• I’m still thirsty.
• They have invited me to lunch.
• Please have dinner with me.
• Will you have boiled eggs or fried ones?
• There were seven items/dishes.
• I’m fond of mushed potatoes.
• May I have a little/some more gravy?
• My wife relishes broiled potatoes.
• He’s a glutton.
• He is a gourmet.
• We have an exclusive Indian cuisine.
• What did you have for breakfast?
• Had coffee, toast, and eggs.
• How did you have your eggs?
• Soft-boiled, as usual.
• How about a cup of coffee?
• That sounds good.
• I always enjoy coffee after work.
• I like it best in the morning.
• Would you like to have an orange?
• Thanks, but I don’t think so.
• Oranges are good for you.
• I know, but I had one about an hour ago.
• Where did you have lunch yesterday?
• I ate at the cafeteria with John.
• Did you have a good lunch?
• Yes. I had a hot roast beef sandwich.
• There’s a cafeteria over there.
• Didn’t you eat before we left?
• Yes, but I’m hungry again.
• Well, I’m still digesting my lunch.

Talking about the Weather

A. Talking about the forecast

• What’s the weather going to be like tomorrow?
• Have you heard the weather forecast?
• Do you know what it’s going to be like?
• What do you think it’ll be like on Sunday?
• It’s going to be sunny tomorrow.
• I think it’s going to rain.
• It looks/feels as if it’s going to get warmer.
• They say it’ll be windy tomorrow.
• There may be frost later
• It should clear up soon.
• I don’t think it’s going to change.
• There’s a high pressure.
• There’s rain coming in from the west.

B. Talking about weather conditions

• What’s the weather like there in spring?
• What sort of temperature is it in June?
• Do you get much fog?
• Do I need winter clothes?
• Is it wet in autumn?
• It’s generally cold and wet.
• It’s normally mild now.
• It’s very pleasant (at this time of the year).
• It’s (not) often very dry.
• We rarely get snow.
• What was the weather like (on your holiday)?
• How was the weather (last year)?
• It was very (hot) (last year)?
• We had a lot of (rain) (last month).
• It’s been very (cold) so far this year.
• Is it raining now?
• Yes, it is. It’s raining very hard.
• Does it rain very much in this area?
• Yes. It rains a lot in the spring and fall.
• How’s the weather?
• It’s raining outside now.
• Is it raining very hard?
• No, it isn’t. It’s just drizzling.
• What’s the weather like outside?
• It thinks it’s going to rain.
• It was nice a few hours ago.
• It was beautiful, wasn’t it?
• How‘s the weather today?
• It’s quite cold and damp.
• How are the winters here in general?
• They’re usually rather mild.
• Is it raining outside now?
• Yes, it is and it’s quite cold.
• I think I’ll stay home today.
• I certainly wish I could too.

C. Chatting about the weather

• It’s very nice today, isn’t it?
• It’s not very nice today, is it?
• It’s warmer than last week, isn’t it?
• It’s not bad for the time of year, is it?
• The Weather is good today.
• It’s a little too warm for me.
• This kind of weather is good for the farmers.
• But I’m not a farmer.
• I wonder what the weather is going to be like tomorrow.
• The paper says it’s going to be fair and sunny.
• Let’s listen to the weather report on the radio.
• That’s a good idea.
• It’s very warm and sticky today.
• It’s so humid! I wish it would rain.
• A good rain would cool things off a little.
• We need some rain to make things green.
• It was hot yesterday.
• But it’s quite cool today.
• Yes. I’m wearing a sweater under my coat.
• I’m going to put on a jacket.
• It’s freezing today!
• Yes. It’s worse than yesterday.
• How cold is it?
• It’s ten below.
• What a cold weather this is!
• What’s the temperature?
• It’s five and above.
• You’ve seen a hurricane, haven’t you?
• Once, along time ago.
• Does it ever snow in your country?
• Only a few times a year.
• Do you like the weather in this part of the country?
• Not really, but I’m accustomed to it now.
• Is the weather different in your part of the country?
• Yes. It never gets as cold there as it is here.

D. Weather Conditions

• It’s a nice day, isn’t it?
• Yes. It’s warm and sunny for a change.
• I like this kind of weather.
• I guess everyone does.
• It’s a little windy today.
• I don’t mind the wind.
• The sun certainly feels good.
• Especially after all that bad weather last week.
• The paper says it’s going to be fair and sunny.
• Let’s listen to the weather report on the radio.

Planning a Journey

A.

Travel Plans

• I have to take a trip by air next week.
• Do you like to fly?
• I don’t know because I’ve never flown before.
• You’ll probably like it very much.
• I have to go home next week.
• How will you go-by car?
• I’ll probably go by air.
• You’ll get there very fast then.
• How will you travel to Los Angeles?
• We’ll go by plane.
• How long will it take?
• It’ll take about five or six hours to get there.
• What time will you leave your house>
• I’ll leave around seven thirty.

B.

Asking about public transport

• What time is the (next train) to London?
• Is there a plane to Bonn tomorrow evening?
• What time are the (services) to (Boston)?
• Is there a frequent service?
• How often do they go?
• How long does it take?
• When does it arrive/get there?
• What time/When does it leave?
• Where does it leave from?
• Does that go via Astound?

C.

Asking about road travel

• What’s the best road to Boston?
• Which is the best route to Milan?
• How long does it take to York?
• How many miles/kilometers is it?
• Is it a good road?
• How much time should I allow?
• How far is it to York by car/by road?
• What’s the road like to Antwerp?

D.

Suggesting plans

• Let’s take the morning plane.
• Let’s drive up via Leeds.
• We can get a meal/stop on the way.
• We can stop over/break the journey in Aix.
• What about driving there via (Brussels)?
• It’ll be quicker to go by train.
• It would be more comfortable (by train)
• I think the best route is through Belguium.
• I think the (coast road) is better.
• I think we should start at about 9.
• I don’t want to cross London.
• I want to be there before it gets dark.
• If I leave at (7) I’ll be there by 12.
• If we catch the (3:30), we’ll be in time.
• If we go via (Aachen) we can be there by 4.
• What do you think?
• What would you suggest?

E.

Trips and Sight- seeing

• Did you have a nice time over the weekend?
• I had lots of fun.
• What did you do?
• I did a lot of sight-seeing.
• How long were you out of town?
• I was away for two weeks.
• When were you away?
• I took time off in August.
• How did you go to India last month?
• We went by plane.
• What kind of plane did you take?
• It was a jet.
• Have you ever been in Italy?
• No. I’ve never been there.
• Have you ever been in France?
• Yes. I was there last summer.
• Did your parents stay in Rome for very long?
• Yes. They stayed there for two months.
• Did they describe their trip to you?
• Yes, and they showed us a lot of photographs

In a Clothes Shop

A

Shopping for a Sweater

• Can I help you?
• Yes, I’m looking for a sweater.
• What size are you?
• (I’m) extra large.
• How about this one?
• Yes, that’s nice. Can I try it on?
• Certainly, there are the changing rooms over there.
• Thank you.
• How does it fit?
• It’s too large. Do you have a large?
• Yes, here you are.
• Thank you. I’ll have it, please.
• OK, how would you like to pay?
• Do you take credit cards?
• Yes, we do. Visa, Master Card and American Express.
• OK, here’s my Visa.
• Thank you. Have a nice day!
• Thank you, goodbye.

B.

To explain what you want, use:

I’m, looking for something like this in green.

I’m looking for a jacket.

I want to get some trousers.

I’m looking for something for about $40.

C

Talking about colour:

• Have you got another colour?
• This is too dark/too light.
• I like/don’t like this colour.

D.

Talking about price

• How much is it/are they?
• Have you got anything cheaper?
• Have you got anything more expensive?
• That’s cheap/expensive; it’s too expensive.

E

Talking about size

• What size is this?
• Will this fit me?
• Have you got anything bigger/smaller?
• Have you got this in a bigger/smaller size?
• It is/they are too big/small/short/long/tight/loose.
• It/They won’t fit me

F.

Asking about trying clothes on

• I’d like to try this on
• Where can I change?
• Can I try these on?
• Is there a changing room here?
• Where can I try these on?

G

General conversations

• Can I try these on?
• Is there a changing room here?
• What would you like to see?
• I’d like to see your overcoats, please.
• What kind of overcoats would you like to see?
• I’d like to see your winter overcoats – probably wool.
• I’d like to look at your sweaters, if I could.
• Certainly. Any particular style?
• Could I see some of the new styles, please?
• Of course. Please step right this way.
• I’m interested in seeing your summer suits.
• What colour did you have in mind?
• White, or some light colour, I think.
• Step over to this other room with me, would you please?
• That jacket you have on now seems to fit you very well.
• What kind of material is this?
• It’s a mixture – cotton and wool.
• I’m not sure it’s heavy enough for the fall weather.
• Here’s a very popular kind of sport coat – the most recent thing.
• I notice there isn’t much padding in the shoulders.
• No. It has a natural shoulder line.
• I like the narrow lapels and the stitching on them.

Journey by Bus

A.

Getting the right bus

• Do you know when is the next bus to the town?
• How often do these buses run?
• When’s the next bus to the airport?
• Which bus goes to the park?
• Which bus do I take to get to the college?
• What number bus should I catch for the city?
• Is this the right bus for the station?
• There’s one every ten minutes.
• Take a 17 to the station.
• Change there onto the university bus.
• It takes about half an hour
• Where do I get the Dadar bus?
• Walk straight ahead 100 meters.
• Are there many bus stops along this street?
• Yes, there are. There are quite a few.
• Are they located at the corners?
• Most of them are, but a few aren’t.
• How do I get to the (Dadar station)?
• Take the bus at the next corner.
• Do you know which bus I take?
• Watch for (number 124).
• Thank you very much.
• Welcome.

B.

Finding where to catch a bus.

• Is there a bus stop near here?
• Where’s the nearest bus stop?
• Is this the right bus stop for the…?
• Is this the right place for a bus to town?
• Could you direct me to the bus station?
• Where’s the central bus station?

C.

On the Bus

 

• Does this bus go into the town?
• Yes. Where do you want to go?
• I want to go to Connaught Place.
• This is the right bus then.
• Does this bus go as far as Gandhi Square?
• No. You’ll have to change.
• Where can I do it?
• You can get the Gandhi Square bus at the next corner.
• Is this where I get off the bus?
• No. Not here-at the next stop.
• Can I catch an auto right there?
• Yes. There’s an auto stand right by the bus stop.
• Excuse me, but how do I get to this address?
• Get off the bus at Water Street and Main.
• Thanks very much for your help.
• Don’t mention it.
• Is West Street the next stop?
• I’m sorry, but I didn’t understand you.
• Does the bus stop at West Street next?
• Yes. Right at the next corner.
• Is this the right bus for the airport?
• Does this go to the bus station?
• The Central Park, please.
• I want to go to the city.
• How much is it?
• What is the fare?
• How much is the fare?
• Can I get a return ticket?
• Do I have to change?
• How many stops is it?
• How long does it take?
• Could you tell me where to get off, please?
• Which is my stop?

Shopping 2

A.

At the Grocery Store.

• How much do the potatoes cost?
• Fifteen cents a pound.
• I’d like a bag of onions and a jar of olives.
• Do you need fruit – apples, lemons, plums?
• Perhaps a box of cherries I’ll put all this in a box.
• I forgot to buy some rice.
• How much do you want?
• Would you please get me two pounds?
• All right. A two-pound bag.
• Don’t you need milk or cream?
• Let’s get some sour cream too.
• Please give me two bottles of milk.
• All of our milk is in cartons.
• Cartons are all right, but I prefer bottles.

B.

At a gift shop

• Yes, can I help you?
• Yes, I’m looking for some gift articles.
• Here we’ve got a stock of fine Titan watches, madam...
• Let me see...
• This is the best one madam.
• But how much does it cost?
• Yes. It’s expensive. Two thousand rupees… But I tell you it’s worth the money you pay.
• I’m sorry I can’t afford to pay so much… Let me tell you.
• This is the right kind of thing for your husband madam.
• But I’m not married.

C.

Buying a TV

• Good Morning.
• Good Morning, sir. Can I help you?
• I am looking for a colour T.V. Set. What brands do you have?
• We have all leading brands, sir. The models are also the latest ones.
• What about Philips colour T.V.?
• Yes, we do have Philips TVs. They are excellent in performance and we do sell a large number of them.
• A friend of mine, Mr. Mahesh Reddy, recommended your store to me.
• Perhaps you know him?
• Of course, Mr. Reddy is our esteemed customer. He purchased a T.V. just last month from us.
• Oh dear! I forgot to ask you the price of the T.V. over there. That is a Philips colour T.V., I am sure?
• It is Rupees fourteen thousand five hundred plus taxes, sir. It is four percent less than the market price here. We give this special discount to our customers because we are the biggest dealers of Philips TVs. In this area.
• I am very happy to hear that. Can your mechanic come and install it at my place?
• Just don’t worry, sir. Leave all your problems to us. We shall do everything to satisfy you. Should I get this T.V. packed for you?
• Yes, I have decided to take it, but one more thing. Can I make the payment by cheque?
• Yes sir. You can.
• Thank you very much.
• Thank you, sir, for your visit. Have a nice day.

D.

Shopping for Groceries

• What do you call a big grocery store like this?
• It’s called a “supermarket”.
• It’s convenient to see everything and pick out what you want.
• Having these carts to put things in is convenient too.
• How about fish tonight – salmon, tuna fish, trout?
• I notice the clams and oysters are fresh today.
• That sounds very good.
• Let’s also get a pork roast or turkey for tomorrow.
• Now we have sugar, salt, pepper and flour.
• We also need mustard, vinegar and cinnamon.
• I’ll get those while you get the cabbage and celery.
• Fine. I’ll meet you at the check-out counter.
• Would you please get me a bag of sugar?
• Do you want two or five pounds?
• A two-pound bag will be all right.
• OK. I’ll meet you at the canned-food counter.
• How many eggs should we get?
• Two dozen should be enough.
• How much butter do you think we need?
• One pound is enough, don’t you think?