SOME USEFUL CHUNKS FOR INTERACTIONS

·         Thanking and apologising. Replies

Thanks, that’s very kind of you.

Thank you for a lovely weekend.

Thank you for helping me.

Thank you so much for all your help.

I’m so sorry. I’m terribly sorry.

I’m really sorry, it was an accident.

It was all my fault. I was a mistake.

It won’t happen again, I promise.

I didn’t mean to do it.

My pleasure.

Never mind.

It was no trouble.

Don’t mention it.

Don’t worry about it.

That’s OK

·         Giving advice

If I were you I would…

I don’t think you should do that.

You shouldn’t go to be so late.

My advice is to forget about it.

·         Warnings

If you don’t study harder, you’ll fail.

If you do that again, you’ll be sorry!

Be careful when you cross the road.

Watch out! There’s a snake near your foot.

There’ll be trouble if you go on like this.

Don’t shout so loud or you’ll wake the baby.

·         Suggesting

We could…

Why don’t we go sailing tomorrow?

How about working together?

Let’s go to the cinema.

Should we have a picnic?

Shall we take your car?

Do you fancy going to the disco?
I wouldn’t mind having a beer now, and you?

Do you feel like going fishing?

·         Asking for permission. Replies

May I come in?

Can I go out?

Could I borrow that?

Do you mind if I smoke?

Would it be OK if I…?

Well, I’m not sure.

No, I’m afraid you can’t.

Of course.

Yes, that’s OK.

Yes, I think so.

No problem.

Sure.

Go ahead.

·         Inviting, refusing & accepting.

Would you like to have dinner with me?

Will you come to my party?

Can you come to the bbq?

I’m sorry, I can’t. Some other time perhaps.

What a pity! I can’t make it. I’m not in the mood.

I don’t think I can.

Oh, I’m sorry, I won’t be able to.

I’d love to. What time?

Yes, that would be great.

Yes, I think so. When, exactly?

Yes, I’m looking forward to it.

Yeah, why not?

Terrific, let’s do that!

That sounds perfect.

·         Complaining

Excuse me but there is something wrong with…

I’m afraid the service wasn’t very good.

Could I have a refund please?

I’m not happy with…

There is a problem with…

Oh dear! Sorry to hear that.

Mmm, I see what you mean.

I’m sorry about the problem.

What happened exactly?

·         Saying you have no preference.

I’m easy. Whatever you like.

I really don’t mind. It’s up to you.

It’s all the same to me.

·         Agreeing.

I agree.

I really agree with you.

I think you’re right.

I couldn’t agree more.

I’m with you on this.

That’s what I think.

I think so too.

That’s very true.

You said it.

·         Disagreeing

I’m sorry, I don’t agree with that.

Well, that’s true but…

You have a point but…

I disagree with you.

I think you’re wrong on this.

No way!

You’ve got to be kidding.

·         Undecided

It depends on what you mean.

I’m not sure about that.

What do you think about it?

Preferences

Do you prefer… or …?

Would you rather…. or…?

I’d rather/prefer…

I prefer sailing to swimming.

I’d prefer to walk rather than

going by car.

As far as I’m concerned, I

enjoy… more.

Which seems better?

Which would you prefer?

Advice

Do you think we should?

What should I do?

What would you do in my place?

I don’t think we should…

The way I see it, you should…

If I were you, I’d…

Take my advice and….

I’d like your advice about…

Obligation

Do I have/need to…?

What do I have to do?

I think/I’m afraid you’ll have to…

You don’t need to/have to…

There’s no need.

It’s up to you.

Is it absolutely necessary?

What I am expected to do?

Plans

I’m thinking of going shopping.

I’m planning to get narried.

I’ve decided to…

Expressing surprise

Really?

That’s amazing!

What a surprise!

You must be joking!

No, I don’t believe it!

Are you serious? That’s incredible!

Expressing satisfaction

Great! Terrific! Fantastic!

How wonderful!

That’s awesome!

Persuading

Please, let me…

Go on!

Come on!

Please!

Just this one!

Just for me!

Disatisfaction or anger

… annoys me/makes me angry.

… makes me mad.

How annoying!

I can’t stand…

I’m fed up with…

Relief

What a relief!

Thank god for that!

Disappointment

What a pity/shame!

I’m disappointed

Just my luck

Excitement

How exciting!

Great!

Boredom

How dull/boring!

… is a waste of time.

I don’t think that’s very exciting

… bores me stiff

Optimism

Everything will be fine.

Everything’s gonna be OK

Blaming

It was your fault.

It wasn’t me

I had nothing to do with it.

It wasn’t my fault

Worry and fear

I’m worried about…

I’m afraid of…

There’s no need to worry

There’s nothing to worry about.

Cheer up!

Opinion

It seems to me…

From my point of view…

As far as I’m concerned…

In my opinion

The way I see it…

I believe that…

I reckon that…

Getting back to the topic

Anyway…

Where was I?

Where were we?

What were you saying?

You were saying…

Interrupting politely

Excuse me

Pardon me

Sorry to interrupt

May I interrupt?

Can I add something here?

Checking meaning

      If you didn’t hear

Pardon? What was that?

Could you repeat that?

I didn’t hear what you said.

I didn’t catch that.

If you didn’t understand

What do you mean?

I don’t really understand.

What’s the point of that?

Can you explain what you mean?

If you aren’t sure

Do you mean…?

I’m not sure what you mean.

I’m not with you

What do you mean exactly?

If you want to check

So what you’re saying is..

You’re saying you want…

Right, I’ll…, shall I?

So the way to do it is…

Conversation fillers

Um…

Er…

I mean...

Well…

Anyway…

It depends really