Task: Make up short dialogues contrasting your ideas. Use the above constructions
- to plan something - to be prevented from
- to continue - to face difficulties
- hardships - to make a decision
- disagreement - compromise
- to have different opinions - to come to an agreement
- to invest - to be short of money
VII. Asking for Information and Explanations
There are a number of formulas used when asking for information in English. Here are some of the most common:
· Couldyoutellme...?
· Doyouknow...?
· Do you happen to know...?
· I'dliketoknow...
· Couldyoufindout...?
· I'minterestedin...
· I'mlookingfor..
These two forms are used for asking for information on the telephone:
· I'm calling to find out...
· I'mcallingabout...
Construction
| Formula | QuestionWord | ExampleFinish |
| Couldyoutellme | when | thenexttrainleaves? |
| Doyouknow | howmuch | thatvasecosts? |
| Do you happen to know | where | Tomlives? |
| I'dliketoknow | what | you think about the new project. |
| Couldyoutellme | when | thenexttrainleaves? |
| Couldyoufindout | when | she is going to arrive? |
| Formula | Gerund (-ing) | ExampleFinish |
| I'minterestedin | buying | a boat |
| Formula | Noun | ExampleFinish |
| I'mlookingfor | informationon | holidaysinSpain. |
| Formula used only on the telphone | QuestionWord | ExampleFinish |
| I'm calling to find out... | if | flight AZ098 will leave on time today. |
| Formula used only on the telphone | Noun | ExampleFinish |
| I'mcallingabout... | theoffer | publishedintoday'snewspaper. |
Task: Make up short dialogues using the above constructions.
Demanding Explanations
Sometimes, things happen that we would like explained 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. Herearesomeofthemostcommon:
· Can you tell me why...
· I don'tunderstandwhy...
· Canyouexplainwhy…
· Whyisitthat...
· Howcome...
· Doesthismean...
· Do you really expect me to believe...
Construction
| Can you tell me why it has taken you so long to respond? | Use 'Can you tell me why' a full clause. An indirect question requires '?'. |
| I don't understand why it has taken you so long to respond. | Use 'I don't understand why' + a full clause. This is a statement and does NOT require a question mark (?) |
| Can you explain why it has taken you so long to respond? | Use 'Can you explain why' + a full clause. An indirect question requires a '?'. |
| Why is it that it has taken you so long to respond? | Use 'Why is it that' + a full clause. An indirect question requires a '?'. |
| How come it has taken you so long to respond? | Use 'How come' + a full clause. An indirect question requires a '?'. |
| Does this mean (that) it has taken you so long to respond? | Use 'Does this mean (that)' + a full clause. An indirect question requires a '?'. |
| Do you expect me to belive you weren't able to finish on time? | Use 'Do you (really) expect me to belive (that)' + a full clause. Anindirectquestionrequires a '?'. |
Task: Make up dialogues demanding explanations from your groupmate (colleague, a bank clerk, shop assistant, customs officer, railway station official etc)
VIII. Telephoning (I)
Telephone English - Important Phrases
There are a number of phrases and idioms that are only used when telephoning. Let's first take a look at an example dialogue:
- Operator: Hello, Frank and Brothers, How can I help you?
- Peter: This is Peter Jackson. Can I haveextension 3421?
- Operator: Certainly, hold on a minute, I'll put you through...
- Frank: Bob Peterson's office, Frank speaking.
- Peter: This is Peter Jackson calling, is Bob in?
- Frank: I'm afraid he's out at the moment. Can I take a message?
- Peter: Yes, Could you ask him to call me at... I need to talk to him about the Nuovo line, it's urgent.
- Frank: Could you repeat the number please?
- Peter: Yes, that's… , and this is Peter Jackson.
- Frank: Thank you Mr Jackson, I'll make sure Bob gets this asap.
- Peter:Thanks, bye.
- Frank:Bye.
As you can see, the language is rather informal and there are some important differences to everyday English. Look at the chart below for key language and phrases used in telephone English. Here are the most common:
Introducing yourself
This is Ken.
Ken speaking.
Asking who is on the telephone
Excuse me, who is this?
Can I ask who is calling, please?
Asking for someone
Can I have extension 321? (extensions are internal numbers at a company)
Could I speak to...? (Can I - more informal / May I - more formal)
Is Jack in? (informal idiom meaning: Is Jack in the office?
Connecting someone
I'll put you through (put through - phrasal verb meaning 'connect')
Can you hold the line? Can you hold on a moment?
How to reply when someone is not available
I'm afraid ... is not available at the moment
The line is busy... (when the extension requested is being used)
Mr Jackson isn't in... Mr Jackson is out at the moment...
Taking a Message
Could (Can, May) I take a message?
Could (Can, May) I tell him who is calling?
Would you like to leave a message?
Task 1: makeup a short telephone dialogues using the above phrases.
Telephone English - Leaving Messages
Leaving a message
Sometimes, there may not be anyone to answer the telephone and you will need to leave a message. Follow this outline to make sure that the person who should receive your message has all the information he/she needs.
1. Introduction - - - - Hello, this is Ken. OR Hello, My name is Ken Beare (more formal).
2. State the time of day and your reason for calling - - - - - It's ten in the morning. I'm phoning (calling, ringing) to find out if ... / to see if ... / to let you know that ... / to tell you that ...
3. Make a request - - - - Could you call (ring, telephone) me back? / Would you mind ... ? /
4. Leave your telephone number - - - - My number is .... / You can reach me at .... / Call me at ...
5. Finish - - - - Thanks a lot, bye. / I'll talk to you later, bye.
Model:
Telephone:(Ring... Ring... Ring...)Hello, this is Tom. I'm afraid I'm not in at the moment. Please leave a message after the beep..... (beep)
Ken: Hello Tom, this is Ken. It's about noon and I'm calling to see if you would like to go to the Mets game on Friday. Could you call me back? You can reach me at 367-8925 until five this afternoon. I'll talk to you later, bye.
As you can see, leaving a message is pretty simple. You only need to make sure that you have stated all the most important information: Your Name, The Time, The Reason for Calling, Your Telephone Number.