Phrases for Conversation

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Small Talk
Objectives
to introduce yourself
to carry on a basic conversation about yourself and others
Chanwon is waiting for his connecting flight to Seattle. He’s come to the United States for a year
to study English before he returns to Korea to finish his degree in electronic engineering. He has
been on short holidays abroad with his family, but this is the first time that he will be living in an
English-speaking environment with an English-speaking family. Of course he’s nervous about his
ability to communicate in a lang. he has only studied in school. He’d like to talk to someone
while he’s waiting for his plane, but he’s not sure how to begin or what to say. What if he uses the
wrong word, or no one understands him? And what if someone asks him a question he doesn’t know
how to answer? If only he had more vocabulary! If only he could speak as naturally as everyone
around him!

You could be like Chanwon waiting for your flight at the airport with a long trip ahead of you
You could be having a coffee in a café or a meal in a restaurant, standing somewhere in a
line, socializing at a party, or interacting with people you’ve only just met. Situations in
which people strike up a conversation out of curiosity or mutual interest, or just to be sociable,
present themselves when you are traveling in a foreign country.
Whether you’re meeting someone for the first time or connecting with an old friend or
acquaintance, most conversations start out on a personal note. At first you’re most likely to talk about:
where you live or come from;
what you do for a living;
what brings you to a particular place
If the conversation continues, you’ll usually move on to everyday subjects with which you’re
familiar such as:
personal interests and hobbies;
the weather;
your environment (the airport, restaurant, hotel, park, beach, etc.);
your place (city, country, school, or workplace);
current happenings such as sports and cultural events or the news.
Although English-speaking people tend to engage easily in conversations with strangers, there are
certain topics that may be considered too intimate. Topics that should be avoided are:
marital status,
age,
income,
religion,
politics

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Phrases

Openers: Excuse Me …

Most often a conversation begins with a simple question, a request for information, or a comment about the weather or surroundings. Depending on the person you’re talking to and the situation you’re in—is the situation formal or casual, is the person close to your age—there are two approaches you can take.
The indirect approach is a polite and unobtrusive way to test the waters in case the other person isn’t interested in talking at length:
http://djelfa.info/vb/blob:moz-extension://d1845e74-b177-4284-97f1-9337205f5f08/4ce7c631-2a3e-4c8a-aad7-4d8b0bd6ab6d May / could I borrow your newspaper / magazine / the salt and pepper?
http://djelfa.info/vb/blob:moz-extension://d1845e74-b177-4284-97f1-9337205f5f08/13b25cd4-edaf-442b-b0a2-c8395520be52 Could you tell me if this is where the plane leaves for Houston?
http://djelfa.info/vb/blob:moz-extension://d1845e74-b177-4284-97f1-9337205f5f08/3979e58a-7f85-4017-8f54-156a748ff94c Would you happen to know a good restaurant / a nice hotel?
http://djelfa.info/vb/blob:moz-extension://d1845e74-b177-4284-97f1-9337205f5f08/fd9347af-0299-497b-899f-d7ae75a6122e I was wondering if you’re from around here. This is my first visit to London.
http://djelfa.info/vb/blob:moz-extension://d1845e74-b177-4284-97f1-9337205f5f08/38b71d09-0ce0-48e1-b64a-423b97496c49 Sorry to bother you, but is this seat taken / is anyone sitting here?
http://djelfa.info/vb/blob:moz-extension://d1845e74-b177-4284-97f1-9337205f5f08/4631ad45-15aa-4121-8025-0936c1fd6903 Would you mind telling me where you got that book?
http://djelfa.info/vb/blob:moz-extension://d1845e74-b177-4284-97f1-9337205f5f08/0000242c-2f31-4456-bb71-e8171f656ec9 Could I trouble / bother you for change? I don’t seem to have any quarters.
http://djelfa.info/vb/blob:moz-extension://d1845e74-b177-4284-97f1-9337205f5f08/11e81d56-150b-4246-ba21-136c4aa76648 You wouldn’t happen to know if there’s a café / a bank / a grocery store near here?
The direct approach takes the initiative in a friendly, open manner:
http://djelfa.info/vb/blob:moz-extension://d1845e74-b177-4284-97f1-9337205f5f08/7e3e1553-1632-4024-be28-7c3221ee5426 Excuse me, do you have the time?
http://djelfa.info/vb/blob:moz-extension://d1845e74-b177-4284-97f1-9337205f5f08/a7a17b66-6205-4693-8a21-41eb598bd2a5 This is a great hotel, isn’t it?

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I can’t believe how busy the airport is today.

Nice day, isn’t it / eh?

So, what brings you here?

Do you come here often?

Are you from here?

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A conversation with a stranger is a good opportunity not only to pass the time but also to practice your English. If the person to whom you are speaking is in the mood to continue the conversation, most likely he or she will be interested in finding out more about you.

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Nationality


I’m Korean / Japanese / German / Mexican.



Residence


I’m from Seoul / Kyoto / Hamburg / Guadalajara.







I come from Korea / Japan / Germany / Mexico.



Age*


I’m twenty-five / thirty-two / in my forties.



Marital status**


I’m single / married / divorced / widowed.



Job


I’m an engineer / a teacher/ a student / a systems analyst.







I’m in advertising / in electronics / in insurance.







I’m self-employed / retired.







I’m with McGraw-Hill / AT&T / Siemens.



Hobbies and interests


I’m interested in sports / fashion / traveling / art.

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It is important and polite, of course, to show interest in what your conversation partner tells you; otherwise what’s the point of talking to someone? While it is courteous to respond to the person you have just met, it is even more important to be sincere and to reply in a comfortable, natural manner.

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If you and the person you’ve been talking to hit it off, you might want to introduce yourself. Here are some tips when making introductions:

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In English-speaking cultures, it is usual for people to introduce themselves with their first names rather than their family or surnames. It is very rare that Americans or Canadians will introduce themselves as Mr. or Mrs. Brown. If they give both their first and last name, for example “I’m Judy Smith”, they will usually expect you to call them by their first name. Also in the English ******** there is no distinction between formal and familiar address, as is the case in many other ********s. “You” is “you” regardless of age, social status, or familiarity.

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Be careful not to confuse “how are you” and “how do you do.” How are you is a question and requires an answer: I’m fine, thanks or Not too bad (see Asking about Someone’s Well-Being, page 22-23). How do you do looks like a question but is really a greeting, and it is acceptable to respond with How do you do, or one of the phrases that follow. If you want to know about someone’s health, it’s better to ask, How are you feeling? or How are you?

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Traditionally people shake hands when they make introductions, particularly in business or formal situations. Men almost always shake hands, whereas women may or may not. When meeting a woman for the first time, wait for her to offer her hand.

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In more casual and informal situations shaking hands is not always the custom. Young people will use gestures, such as waving their hand, to acknowledge the person. If you are not sure what to do in a particular situation, do as others do.

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We use the verb to meet when we want to say that we make a person’s acquaintance. If someone asks you: How did you meet your husband or wife, they mean how were you first introduced, not when did you see him or her last.

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Example:

A: How did you meet your husband?

B: Actually he was a friend of my brother’s from his college days, and at first I didn’t even like him.

[asmazoubiri]

important sentces .................................................. thnks

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Past Experiences
Objectives

to introduce family members, friends, and acquaintances

to talk and inquire about past experiences and events

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Jutta is showing her husband, Franz, around the city of Victoria, British Columbia, while they are visiting on a holiday. Three years ago when she was offered an exciting new job as an editorial assistant with a publisher of trade journals in Nuremberg, Germany, Jutta attended an intermediate English course at a ******** school in Victoria to brush up on her high school English. During her three-month studies she met many foreign students and made friends from Japan, Korea, and Mexico.

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Although Jutta has lost touch with Yuko, Ryeowon, and Patricia, she often wonders what happened to them, and how their lives have changed. While Jutta and Franz are visiting the Butchart Gardens, she spots a group of Korean tourists. Their guide looks so much like Ryeowon, but that would be too much of a coincidence! The group moves closer, and Jutta calls Ryeowon’s name. The young woman turns around with a look of surprise on her face.

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If you have traveled or studied abroad, chances are that when you least expect it you will run into someone—a former classmate or colleague, a teacher, or a friend of a friend—on a holiday, at a conference, at a wedding, or even on the street. Time has passed, and, of course, you have a lot to catch up on. There are so many experiences you have to share, so many stories you’d like to tell, and so many questions you’re anxious to ask.

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Phrases
Openers: Greetings

When you haven’t seen someone for a long time, it’s customary to begin the conversation by asking about the other person’s well-being and by commenting positively on changes that you may notice.

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Addressing Someone Whose Name You Can’t Remember

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I don’t mean to be forward, but don’t I know you from somewhere?

Could it be that we’ve met before?

You remind me of someone. You wouldn’t happen to be Margarete?

Don’t I know you from last year’s book fair in Frankfurt?

Haven’t we met before?

You look familiar.

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Asking About Someone’s Well-Being:

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How are you?

How are things?

How have you been?

How’s it / everything going?

So, how’s life been treating you?

How’ve you been getting along / making out?

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Responses

Just fine. And you?

Great. And yourself?

Couldn’t be better. How about you?

Pretty good.

Can’t complain.

Not too bad.

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General Comments

It’s good / great / to see you again / to run into you like this.

You’re looking great / good / well.

You haven’t changed much / at all.
You’ve hardly changed.

It’s been ages / so long / such a long time.

I can’t believe it’s you.

Is that really you?

Small world, isn’t it?

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Whether you’re traveling on business or for pleasure, you are most likely in the company of another person. When you introduce friends and family, you should choose familiar ********, and introduce the person with his or her first name.

When introducing a third person, it is a good idea to give some information about the person:

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how the person is related to you: husband/wife, fiancée/fiancé, son/daughter, niece/nephew, etc.

where the friend or acquaintance is from and what’s his or her job

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Once you’ve gotten reacquainted, you will want to find out about friends and acquaintances that you have in common and reminisce about “the good old times.”

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Asking About Recent Events

What have you been doing with yourself all this time?

Where’ve you been hiding / keeping yourself?

What’s *****ng / up / new / the scoop?

What have you been up to?

So, what’s the story?

Anything new?

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Asking About Friends and Acquaintances

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I wonder what ever happened to / became of Guido.

Have you heard anything from Tomoko?

Have you seen Maria-Teresa lately?

Do you know anything about our teacher?

Did you know that Andre got married / promoted?

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Talking About Friends and Acquaintances

The last I heard, Guido had changed jobs.

It’s hard to keep up with Anastasia. She’s always on the go.

I haven’t heard from her for ages.

We used to e-mail, but lately we seem to have lost touch.

That’s great news. I’m really glad / happy for him.

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Shared Experiences

Remember when we held a mock election in our afternoon class?

Didn’t we have fun / a good time on that camping trip?

Wasn’t the food in the cafeteria delicious / awful?

Don’t you miss the beach / scenery / going out to the disco?

Those were the good old days / good old times!

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Reconnecting with old friends or acquaintances is an opportunity to exchange stories about your experiences. Time has passed since you last saw each other, and you are interested in finding out what has happened in the meantime.

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Asking About Past Experiences

What have you been doing with yourself all this time?

Have you been up to anything exciting / interesting?

What happened after you went back to Japan?

I’m dying / anxious to hear about your new job / what you’ve been doing.

So, what have you been up to?
So, fill me in.

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Introducing an Experience

You’ll never guess what happened to me in Phoenix.

The most interesting thing happened to me the other day.

Let me tell you about what happened while I was in Toronto.

Know / guess what happened?

Guess what?

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Everyone has a story to tell. Whether it’s a joke or short anecdote; a lengthy account of an adventure, game, or event; a report of an accident or mishap; or the summary of an intriguing conversation, these accounts make up a large part of your daily conversations. To tell a good story you don’t have to be a professional entertainer; you just need to connect your thoughts and to add a little drama at the right moment.

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Asking About Experiences

What happened on your vacation / trip / when you went to France?

How did you make out while you were in London?

So how did your visit to New York go / turn out / work out?

Whatever became of your plans to take part in the Tour de France?

What did you experience on your cruise to Alaska?

Did anything interesting / unusual / exciting happen to you on your holiday?

I’ve always wondered / wanted to ask you about your year in California.

We’d love to hear the latest news.

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Beginnings

One morning / afternoon / day on our holiday in France we decided to go for a short walk in the countryside.

To start / to begin with / first off / it all started when we had breakfast and got ready for our walk.

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Sequence
Next / the next thing, we followed a set of red and white trail markers from our hotel to the Lot river.

Along the way we saw a sign pointing to a historical village on a hill overlooking the river.

Then / so then we climbed up and spent some time checking out the village.

In the meantime it had started to rain, so we went into some shops.

While we were looking around, the rain stopped and we continued on our walk.

On the way we passed through another small village.

We kept on walking but after a while we noticed that there were no more red and white trail markers.

A few miles / kilometers later we asked for directions at a farmhouse, but the woman said she didn’t know of any trail leading back to our hotel.

After that / afterward we decided to turn around and go back to the village.

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Adding Drama and Information

All of a sudden / suddenly it started to rain again, only this time it started raining cats and dogs.

By the time we got to the village we were wet, hungry, and tired.

To top it off / to make matters worse, when we got to the village café, they had finished serving lunch, and all we could have was a cup of coffee.

Unfortunately that day was a national holiday, and there was no bus service.

In fact / as a matter of fact there was no taxi in the area, either.

Luckily / fortunately / as luck would have it, the rain soon stopped and we continued on.

Lucky for us we came to a sign pointing to the village where our hotel was located.

However, it was seven kilometers away and before we knew it, it was already late afternoon.

Frankly / actually / truthfully / to tell you the truth we thought we were never going to find our way back before dark.

As it turned out we came to the river where at last we saw the red and white trail markers.

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Concluding
Finally we made our way along the muddy riverbank.

In the end we got back to our hotel just before dark and in time for dinner.

To make a long story short / long story short we cleaned up, had dinner, and went to bed!

The moral / lesson of the story is when you go on a walk in a foreign country, never leave your hotel without a map.

It just goes to show you that you should never leave your hotel without a map.

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Because people think on their feet when they hold a conversation, they use “little words” called discourse markers to fill in the gaps when they are searching for words. Discourse markers do not change the meaning of the sentence. In fact they have no literal meaning and can become a bad habit, as in the case of “like” or “you know,” when the speaker uses them too often. Common discourse markers in English include the following.

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Starters

As you know / you see / see

Now / then / okay / all right

I mean / well / so / oh

Say / why

Examples:

Well, I’d love to hear about your trip.

Now, what have you been up to?

So, after we got to the airport, we had to wait five hours.

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Fillers

Uh / er / em

Like / you know

Examples:

We stayed at this great hotel, you know, right on the beach.

It was, like, the best place we ever stayed.

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Question Tails and Tags
Whereas many lang. have fixed question tags, such as n’est-ce pas in French, verdad in Spanish, and nicht wahr or gell in German, for instance, English uses the same helping verbs that form a question, and each question tag depends on the verb tense. Common examples are: It’s a nice day, isn’t
it? or You haven’t met my fiancée, have you? For help with question tags, you can consult a good grammar book.

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Know what I mean?

Don’t you think?

Or not?

Right?

Eh?*

Examples:

Traveling is one of the best ways to gain experience, don’t you think?

Terrific game, eh?

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Emotions can be difficult to express, particularly in a ******** that is not your native tongue. To say how you feel and to make sure that others understand your feelings, you will need to use specific phrases and idiomatic expressions.

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Astonishment and Surprise

That’s incredible / fantastic / amazing / far out / unreal / awesome.

That’s hard / difficult to imagine.

I don’t believe that for a minute!

You’ve gotta be kidding / joking!

You’re putting me on / pulling my leg.

What a coincidence!

No way!

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Belief

I believe you / it.

I can imagine.
That’s true / for sure.

Isn’t that the truth!

I bet!
Ending the Conversation

We’ll have to get together / do this again sometime soon.

It was great to see you again.

I’m so glad we ran into each other.

I really enjoyed seeing you again.

Let’s keep in touch / get together again.

Take care / take it easy.

Catch you later / another time.

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When referring to the time in English-speaking countries, native English speakers generally differentiate between night and day by using a.m. and p.m. For example, breakfast time is at 7:00 a.m. and dinnertime is at 7:00 p.m. (rather than at 19:00). It is also common to say seven in the morning or evening in order to clarify the time of day. Rather than ten to twelve or a quarter after twelve, native English speakers shorten it to ten to or quarter after.