|Being Polite|
can be achieved by many ways:
Showing interest
1. Uh-huh!
3. Right!
3. Really?
4. That's interesting!
5. And?
6. What then?
7. Oh?
8. What happened next?
Showing that you're listening
1. Now, you mentioned...
2. So, that's how...?
3. Yes, I was going to ask you about that...
4. Could you give me / us an example of...?
5. Could you explain in more detail...?
Thanking and responding
1. Many thanks.
2. Thanks a lot.
4. That's very kind of you.
5. Thank you very much
6. Not at all.
7. It's a pleasure. / My pleasure.
8. You're welcome.
9. Don't mention it.
10. Any time.
11. That's OK / all right.
12. I'm glad to have been of some help
Apologizing
1. Sorry
2. I'm very/awfully/so/extremely sorry.
3. Excuse me.
4. Sorry, (it was) my fault.
5. I do apologize.
6. Please accept my apologies.
Accepting an apology
1. That's all right/OK.
2. Not to worry.
3. That's quite/perfectly all right.
4. No reason/need to apologize.
5. Don't worry about it
Talking About Actions
Giving instructions
1. Make sure...
2. Remember... (to do).
3. Be careful... (not to do).
4. Don't forget... (to do)
5. Giving directions
6. Go straight on.
7. Take the first/second on the left / right.
8. Turn left / right.
9. Go along... as far as...
10. Take the number 7 bus / tram.
12. Get off (the bus / tram) at... (place).
13. Carry on until you see...
14. Look out for...
Checking someone has understood
1. Are you with me?
2. Did you follow that?
3. Have you got that?
4. Is everything clear so far?
5. Does that seem to make sense?
Sequencing actions
1. First of all, ...
2. Next, ...
3. Then, ...
4. After that, ...
5. Finally, ...
Making suggestions
1. Shall I / we... (do)?
2. Let's... (do).
3. Why don't I / we... (do)?
4. How about... (doing)?
5. What about... (doing)?
6. I think we should... (do).
7. I suggest that we... (do).
8. It might be a good idea if we / you... (do).
9. I think the best way of dealing with this situation would be to... (do).
10. If you ask me, I think we / you should... (do).
12. We could...
Agreeing to a suggestion
1. Yes, I think that's a good idea.
2. That's probably the best option.
3. Sure, why not?
4. Yes, definitely.
5. By all means.
6. Good idea!
Rejecting a suggestion
1. Yes, but wouldn't it be better to... (do).
2. That's a good idea, but... (do).
Making invitations
1. What are you doing on... (day)?
2. Have you got any plans for... (day/time of day)?
3. Would you like to... (do)?
4. Do you fancy... (doing)?
5. What about... (doing)?
Accepting an invitation
1. Yes, I'd love to.
2. Yes, that would be great.
Refusing an invitation
1. I'm afraid I'm busy on... (day). How about next... (day)?
2. I'm sorry I can't. I'm... (doing something else).
3. I'm afraid I can't make it. I'm... (doing something else).
4. I'd love to, but...
5. That's very kind of you, but...
Expressing a preference
1. I'd much rather... (do) than... (do something else).
2. I prefer... to...
3. I'd prefer to... (do).
4. I think... is much more interesting than...
5. I don't find... half as interesting as...
6. I like... better than...
Making recommendations
1. You mustn't miss the...
2. You must go to the...
3. You've got to... (do)
4. You'll love the...
5. I wouldn't recommend the...
6. You definitely wouldn't enjoy going to the...
Offering something
1. Would you like...?
2. What can I get you?
3. Help yourself to...
4. Please have some...
5. Would you care for some...?
6. Can I offer you...?
7. Can I get you a... / anything?
Accepting something that's offered
1. Yes, please.
2. Thank you very much.
3. That would be very nice.
4. I'd like some... , please.
Declining something that's offered
1. I'm all right/I'm fine, thank you.
2. No, thanks.
3. Not this time, thanks.
4. I'm not sure I could, thank you.
Asking for advice
1. What do you think I should do?
2. What would you do (if you were in my situation)?
3. What would you advise me to do?
giving advice
1. I think you should... (do).
2. You could... (do).
3. Why don't you... (do)?
4. If I were you, I'd... (do).
5. Have you tried... (doing)?
Asking for permission
1. Can I.../May I..., please?
2. Do you mind if I...?
3. Mind if I...?
4. Any chance I could...?
5. I wonder/I was wondering if I could...
6. Would it be possible for me to...
7. Do you have any objection if I...?
8. Would it bother you if I...?
Giving permission
1. Of course.
2. By all means.
3. Certainly.
4. Yes, that's OK/fine.
5. You're welcome to...
7. Please feel free to...
8. Please don't hesitate to...
9. Sure.
10 OK.
11. Go ahead.
12. Why not?
||Being Polite||
can be achieved by many ways:
Showing interest
1. Uh-huh!
3. Right!
3. Really?
4. That's interesting!
5. And?
6. What then?
7. Oh?
8. What happened next?
Showing that you're listening
٢
1. Now, you mentioned...
2. So, that's how...?
3. Yes, I was going to ask you about that...
4. Could you give me / us an example of...?
5. Could you explain in more detail...?
Thanking and responding
1. Many thanks.
2. Thanks a lot.
4. That's very kind of you.
5. Thank you very much
6. Not at all.
7. It's a pleasure. / My pleasure.
8. You're welcome.
9. Don't mention it.
10. Any time.
11. That's OK / all right.
12. I'm glad to have been of some help
Apologizing
1. Sorry
2. I'm very/awfully/so/extremely sorry.
3. Excuse me.
4. Sorry, (it was) my fault.
5. I do apologize.
6. Please accept my apologies.
Accepting an apology
1. That's all right/OK.
2. Not to worry.
3. That's quite/perfectly all right.
4. No reason/need to apologize.
5. Don't worry about it
Talking About Actions
Giving instructions
1. Make sure...
2. Remember... (to do).
3. Be careful... (not to do).
4. Don't forget... (to do)
5. Giving directions
6. Go straight on.
7. Take the first/second on the left / right.
8. Turn left / right.
9. Go along... as far as...
10. Take the number 7 bus / tram.
12. Get off (the bus / tram) at... (place).
13. Carry on until you see...
14. Look out for...
Checking someone has understood
1. Are you with me?
2. Did you follow that?
3. Have you got that?
4. Is everything clear so far?
5. Does that seem to make sense?
Sequencing actions
1. First of all, ...
2. Next, ...
3. Then, ...
4. After that, ...
5. Finally, ...
Making suggestions
1. Shall I / we... (do)?
2. Let's... (do).
3. Why don't I / we... (do)?
4. How about... (doing)?
5. What about... (doing)?
6. I think we should... (do).
7. I suggest that we... (do).
8. It might be a good idea if we / you... (do).
9. I think the best way of dealing with this situation would be to... (do).
10. If you ask me, I think we / you should... (do).
12. We could...
Agreeing to a suggestion
1. Yes, I think that's a good idea.
2. That's probably the best option.
3. Sure, why not?
4. Yes, definitely.
5. By all means.
6. Good idea!
1. Uh-huh!
3. Right!
3. Really?
4. That's interesting!
5. And?
6. What then?
7. Oh?
8. What happened next?
Showing that you're listening
1. Now, you mentioned...
2. So, that's how...?
3. Yes, I was going to ask you about that...
4. Could you give me / us an example of...?
5. Could you explain in more detail...?
Thanking and responding
1. Many thanks.
2. Thanks a lot.
4. That's very kind of you.
5. Thank you very much
6. Not at all.
7. It's a pleasure. / My pleasure.
8. You're welcome.
9. Don't mention it.
10. Any time.
11. That's OK / all right.
12. I'm glad to have been of some help
Apologizing
1. Sorry
2. I'm very/awfully/so/extremely sorry.
3. Excuse me.
4. Sorry, (it was) my fault.
5. I do apologize.
6. Please accept my apologies.
Accepting an apology
1. That's all right/OK.
2. Not to worry.
3. That's quite/perfectly all right.
4. No reason/need to apologize.
5. Don't worry about it
Talking About Actions
Giving instructions
1. Make sure...
2. Remember... (to do).
3. Be careful... (not to do).
4. Don't forget... (to do)
5. Giving directions
6. Go straight on.
7. Take the first/second on the left / right.
8. Turn left / right.
9. Go along... as far as...
10. Take the number 7 bus / tram.
12. Get off (the bus / tram) at... (place).
13. Carry on until you see...
14. Look out for...
Checking someone has understood
1. Are you with me?
2. Did you follow that?
3. Have you got that?
4. Is everything clear so far?
5. Does that seem to make sense?
Sequencing actions
1. First of all, ...
2. Next, ...
3. Then, ...
4. After that, ...
5. Finally, ...
Making suggestions
1. Shall I / we... (do)?
2. Let's... (do).
3. Why don't I / we... (do)?
4. How about... (doing)?
5. What about... (doing)?
6. I think we should... (do).
7. I suggest that we... (do).
8. It might be a good idea if we / you... (do).
9. I think the best way of dealing with this situation would be to... (do).
10. If you ask me, I think we / you should... (do).
12. We could...
Agreeing to a suggestion
1. Yes, I think that's a good idea.
2. That's probably the best option.
3. Sure, why not?
4. Yes, definitely.
5. By all means.
6. Good idea!
Rejecting a suggestion
1. Yes, but wouldn't it be better to... (do).
2. That's a good idea, but... (do).
Making invitations
1. What are you doing on... (day)?
2. Have you got any plans for... (day/time of day)?
3. Would you like to... (do)?
4. Do you fancy... (doing)?
5. What about... (doing)?
Accepting an invitation
1. Yes, I'd love to.
2. Yes, that would be great.
Refusing an invitation
1. I'm afraid I'm busy on... (day). How about next... (day)?
2. I'm sorry I can't. I'm... (doing something else).
3. I'm afraid I can't make it. I'm... (doing something else).
4. I'd love to, but...
5. That's very kind of you, but...
Expressing a preference
1. I'd much rather... (do) than... (do something else).
2. I prefer... to...
3. I'd prefer to... (do).
4. I think... is much more interesting than...
5. I don't find... half as interesting as...
6. I like... better than...
Making recommendations
1. You mustn't miss the...
2. You must go to the...
3. You've got to... (do)
4. You'll love the...
5. I wouldn't recommend the...
6. You definitely wouldn't enjoy going to the...
Offering something
1. Would you like...?
2. What can I get you?
3. Help yourself to...
4. Please have some...
5. Would you care for some...?
6. Can I offer you...?
7. Can I get you a... / anything?
Accepting something that's offered
1. Yes, please.
2. Thank you very much.
3. That would be very nice.
4. I'd like some... , please.
Declining something that's offered
1. I'm all right/I'm fine, thank you.
2. No, thanks.
3. Not this time, thanks.
4. I'm not sure I could, thank you.
Asking for advice
1. What do you think I should do?
2. What would you do (if you were in my situation)?
3. What would you advise me to do?
giving advice
1. I think you should... (do).
2. You could... (do).
3. Why don't you... (do)?
4. If I were you, I'd... (do).
5. Have you tried... (doing)?
Asking for permission
1. Can I.../May I..., please?
2. Do you mind if I...?
3. Mind if I...?
4. Any chance I could...?
5. I wonder/I was wondering if I could...
6. Would it be possible for me to...
7. Do you have any objection if I...?
8. Would it bother you if I...?
Giving permission
1. Of course.
2. By all means.
3. Certainly.
4. Yes, that's OK/fine.
5. You're welcome to...
7. Please feel free to...
8. Please don't hesitate to...
9. Sure.
10 OK.
11. Go ahead.
12. Why not?
||Being Polite||
can be achieved by many ways:
Showing interest
1. Uh-huh!
3. Right!
3. Really?
4. That's interesting!
5. And?
6. What then?
7. Oh?
8. What happened next?
Showing that you're listening
٢
1. Now, you mentioned...
2. So, that's how...?
3. Yes, I was going to ask you about that...
4. Could you give me / us an example of...?
5. Could you explain in more detail...?
Thanking and responding
1. Many thanks.
2. Thanks a lot.
4. That's very kind of you.
5. Thank you very much
6. Not at all.
7. It's a pleasure. / My pleasure.
8. You're welcome.
9. Don't mention it.
10. Any time.
11. That's OK / all right.
12. I'm glad to have been of some help
Apologizing
1. Sorry
2. I'm very/awfully/so/extremely sorry.
3. Excuse me.
4. Sorry, (it was) my fault.
5. I do apologize.
6. Please accept my apologies.
Accepting an apology
1. That's all right/OK.
2. Not to worry.
3. That's quite/perfectly all right.
4. No reason/need to apologize.
5. Don't worry about it
Talking About Actions
Giving instructions
1. Make sure...
2. Remember... (to do).
3. Be careful... (not to do).
4. Don't forget... (to do)
5. Giving directions
6. Go straight on.
7. Take the first/second on the left / right.
8. Turn left / right.
9. Go along... as far as...
10. Take the number 7 bus / tram.
12. Get off (the bus / tram) at... (place).
13. Carry on until you see...
14. Look out for...
Checking someone has understood
1. Are you with me?
2. Did you follow that?
3. Have you got that?
4. Is everything clear so far?
5. Does that seem to make sense?
Sequencing actions
1. First of all, ...
2. Next, ...
3. Then, ...
4. After that, ...
5. Finally, ...
Making suggestions
1. Shall I / we... (do)?
2. Let's... (do).
3. Why don't I / we... (do)?
4. How about... (doing)?
5. What about... (doing)?
6. I think we should... (do).
7. I suggest that we... (do).
8. It might be a good idea if we / you... (do).
9. I think the best way of dealing with this situation would be to... (do).
10. If you ask me, I think we / you should... (do).
12. We could...
Agreeing to a suggestion
1. Yes, I think that's a good idea.
2. That's probably the best option.
3. Sure, why not?
4. Yes, definitely.
5. By all means.
6. Good idea!
Refusing permission
I'm afraid not. I'm sorry it's not possible... I'm afraid you can't. I'm afraid
that's out of the question.
Agreeing
1. I'd probably agree on that.
2. I think that's probably right.
3. That's absolutely right.
4. Sure! That's exactly what I think.
5. I couldn't agree with you more.
6. That's what I think.
Disagreeing
1. Yes, but...
2. True, but...
3. I see what you mean, but...
4. I suppose so, but...
5. Yes, but on the other hand...
6. I'm afraid I disagree / don't agree / can't agree...
7. I'm not sure if that's strictly true.
8. You have a point there, but...
9. Actually, I'm not sure if I agree with that.
Asking what someone thinks
1. What do you think?
2. What do you reckon?
3. What's your opinion about/of... ?
4. What's your position on...?
5. What's your reaction to...?
6. What's your take on... ?
7. Do you have any thoughts on... ?
Stating consequences
1. As a result, ...
2. Consequently, ...
3. Because of this, ...
4. Due to (cause),...
Expressing two points of view
1. On the one hand..., on the other hand...
2. Although I'd..., I certainly wouldn't...
3. While I might..., I don't think I'd...
4. Of course I'd..., but I'm not sure if I'd...
5. There's no doubt that it would..., but there's also a chance it might...
Giving examples
1. For example, ...
2. For instance, ...
3. One example of this is...
4. To give you an idea, ...
5. Look at the case of...
6. Take, for example, ...
7. Let' say, ...
Justifying your opinions
1. Personally, I (don't) think... because...
2. Let's (not)... because...
3. In my opinion, I (don't) feel... because...
4. I would definitely (not)... because...
5. It would be better to... as...
6. I (don't) feel that it's important to... as...
Linking what you're saying
١٣
1. Anyway, ...
2. True, but ...
3. As a matter of fact, ...
4. ... sort of...
5. Hmm...
6. ... you know...
7. ... believe me...
Ordering / Sequencing
1. First of all, ...
2. To start with, ...
3. Secondly, ...
4. Another thing is that...
5. Alternatively, ...
6. Last but not least, ...
Persuading
1. But don't you agree that...
2. Yes, but I'm sure you'd agree that...
3. Don't you think that...
Presenting an opinion
1. Personally, I think that...
2. It seems to me that...
3. From my point of view, ...
4. In my opinion, ...
Prioritizing
1. ... would be much more important than...
2. I don't think... would be nearly as important / urgent as...
3. ... will definitely be the most / least ...
Speculating
1. It's difficult to say exactly but I suppose it could be...
2. I'm not sure but it might be...
3. It can't be... because...
4. It must be... because...
5. I would guess...
Summarizing
1. So what it comes down to is...
2. The point I'm trying to make is...
3. Let me just recap what's been said so far.
4. In short, ...
5. To sum up, ...
6. Basically, ...
7. Overall, it would seem that
Asking for information
1. Excuse me. Could you tell me where ... is?
2. Excuse me. Can you tell me...?
3. Do you know...?
4. You wouldn't know..., would you?
5. Do you happen to know...?
6. I'd like to know..., please.
7. And there's another thing I'd like to know...
8. I would be interested to know...
9. Please could you tell me...
Asking for directions
1. Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to ... (place), please?
2. Which way is the ... (place), please?
3. Could you tell me where ... is, please?
4. Do you know where ... is?
Asking someone to repeat
1. Could you say that again, please?
2. Would you mind repeating that, please?
3. Could you repeat that, please?
4. I'm sorry I didn't catch that.
5. I'm sorry, what was ... again?
6. I'm sorry?
7. I beg your pardon?
8. I'm sorry, what was that?
Checking that you've understood
1. So, I / We have to...
2. Do you want me / us to...?
3. Am I / Are we supposed to...?
4. Should I...?
5. So, the (general/basic) idea is to...
6. Do you mean...?
7. Does this mean that...?
8. So am I right in saying...?
9. So, what you're saying is...
Expressing uncertainty
1. I'm not really sure but I think...
2. I can't say for certain but...
3. It's difficult to say exactly but perhaps...
4. I couldn't say, really...
5. I'm not sure.
6. I don't know for sure but...
Giving yourself time to think
1. Well, let me see...
2. Let me think...
3. Let me get this right...
4. Um, well, that's a difficult question / that's an interesting question.
5. I'll have to / Let me think about that for a moment...
6. I think it's difficult to answer that question...
7. How shall I put it?...
8. Now, how can I best say this...?
Interrupting politely
1. Could I just say something?
2. Actually, I'd just like to say...
3. Sorry to interrupt, but...
4. Oh, while I remember / before I forget...
5. Excuse me...
6. May I interrupt?
Saying you don't know
1. I'm afraid I can't help you.
2. I'm sorry, I don't know.
Making recommendations
1. You mustn't miss the...
2. You must go to the...
3. You've got to... (do)
4. You'll love the...
5. I wouldn't recommend the...
6. You definitely wouldn't enjoy going to the...
Offering something
1. Would you like...?
2. What can I get you?
3. Help yourself to...
4. Please have some...
5. Would you care for some...?
6. Can I offer you...?
7. Can I get you a... / anything?
Accepting something that's offered
1. Yes, please.
2. Thank you very much.
3. That would be very nice.
4. I'd like some... , please.
Declining something that's offered
1. I'm all right/I'm fine, thank you.
2. No, thanks.
3. Not this time, thanks.
4. I'm not sure I could, thank you.
Asking for advice
1. What do you think I should do?
2. What would you do (if you were in my situation)?
3. What would you advise me to do?
giving advice
1. I think you should... (do).
2. You could... (do).
3. Why don't you... (do)?
4. If I were you, I'd... (do).
5. Have you tried... (doing)?
Asking for permission
1. Can I.../May I..., please?
2. Do you mind if I...?
3. Mind if I...?
4. Any chance I could...?
5. I wonder/I was wondering if I could...
6. Would it be possible for me to...
7. Do you have any objection if I...?
8. Would it bother you if I...?
Giving permission
1. Of course.
2. By all means.
3. Certainly.
4. Yes, that's OK/fine.
5. You're welcome to...
7. Please feel free to...
8. Please don't hesitate to...
9. Sure.
10 OK.
11. Go ahead.
12. Why not?
Expressing a preference
1. I'd much rather... (do) than... (do something else).
2. I prefer... to...
3. I'd prefer to... (do).
4. I think... is much more interesting than...
5. I don't find... half as interesting as...
6. I like... better than...
Making invitations
1. What are you doing on... (day)?
2. Have you got any plans for... (day/time of day)?
3. Would you like to... (do)?
4. Do you fancy... (doing)?
5. What about... (doing)?
Accepting an invitation
1. Yes, I'd love to.
2. Yes, that would be great.
Refusing an invitation
1. I'm afraid I'm busy on... (day). How about next... (day)?
2. I'm sorry I can't. I'm... (doing something else).
3. I'm afraid I can't make it. I'm... (doing something else).
4. I'd love to, but...
5. That's very kind of you, but...
Rejecting a suggestion
1. Yes, but wouldn't it be better to... (do).
2. That's a good idea, but... (do).
I'm afraid not. I'm sorry it's not possible... I'm afraid you can't. I'm afraid
that's out of the question.
Agreeing
1. I'd probably agree on that.
2. I think that's probably right.
3. That's absolutely right.
4. Sure! That's exactly what I think.
5. I couldn't agree with you more.
6. That's what I think.
Disagreeing
1. Yes, but...
2. True, but...
3. I see what you mean, but...
4. I suppose so, but...
5. Yes, but on the other hand...
6. I'm afraid I disagree / don't agree / can't agree...
7. I'm not sure if that's strictly true.
8. You have a point there, but...
9. Actually, I'm not sure if I agree with that.
Asking what someone thinks
1. What do you think?
2. What do you reckon?
3. What's your opinion about/of... ?
4. What's your position on...?
5. What's your reaction to...?
6. What's your take on... ?
7. Do you have any thoughts on... ?
Stating consequences
1. As a result, ...
2. Consequently, ...
3. Because of this, ...
4. Due to (cause),...
Expressing two points of view
1. On the one hand..., on the other hand...
2. Although I'd..., I certainly wouldn't...
3. While I might..., I don't think I'd...
4. Of course I'd..., but I'm not sure if I'd...
5. There's no doubt that it would..., but there's also a chance it might...
Giving examples
1. For example, ...
2. For instance, ...
3. One example of this is...
4. To give you an idea, ...
5. Look at the case of...
6. Take, for example, ...
7. Let' say, ...
Justifying your opinions
1. Personally, I (don't) think... because...
2. Let's (not)... because...
3. In my opinion, I (don't) feel... because...
4. I would definitely (not)... because...
5. It would be better to... as...
6. I (don't) feel that it's important to... as...
Linking what you're saying
١٣
1. Anyway, ...
2. True, but ...
3. As a matter of fact, ...
4. ... sort of...
5. Hmm...
6. ... you know...
7. ... believe me...
Ordering / Sequencing
1. First of all, ...
2. To start with, ...
3. Secondly, ...
4. Another thing is that...
5. Alternatively, ...
6. Last but not least, ...
Persuading
1. But don't you agree that...
2. Yes, but I'm sure you'd agree that...
3. Don't you think that...
Presenting an opinion
1. Personally, I think that...
2. It seems to me that...
3. From my point of view, ...
4. In my opinion, ...
Prioritizing
1. ... would be much more important than...
2. I don't think... would be nearly as important / urgent as...
3. ... will definitely be the most / least ...
Speculating
1. It's difficult to say exactly but I suppose it could be...
2. I'm not sure but it might be...
3. It can't be... because...
4. It must be... because...
5. I would guess...
Summarizing
1. So what it comes down to is...
2. The point I'm trying to make is...
3. Let me just recap what's been said so far.
4. In short, ...
5. To sum up, ...
6. Basically, ...
7. Overall, it would seem that
Asking for information
1. Excuse me. Could you tell me where ... is?
2. Excuse me. Can you tell me...?
3. Do you know...?
4. You wouldn't know..., would you?
5. Do you happen to know...?
6. I'd like to know..., please.
7. And there's another thing I'd like to know...
8. I would be interested to know...
9. Please could you tell me...
Asking for directions
1. Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to ... (place), please?
2. Which way is the ... (place), please?
3. Could you tell me where ... is, please?
4. Do you know where ... is?
Asking someone to repeat
1. Could you say that again, please?
2. Would you mind repeating that, please?
3. Could you repeat that, please?
4. I'm sorry I didn't catch that.
5. I'm sorry, what was ... again?
6. I'm sorry?
7. I beg your pardon?
8. I'm sorry, what was that?
Checking that you've understood
1. So, I / We have to...
2. Do you want me / us to...?
3. Am I / Are we supposed to...?
4. Should I...?
5. So, the (general/basic) idea is to...
6. Do you mean...?
7. Does this mean that...?
8. So am I right in saying...?
9. So, what you're saying is...
Expressing uncertainty
1. I'm not really sure but I think...
2. I can't say for certain but...
3. It's difficult to say exactly but perhaps...
4. I couldn't say, really...
5. I'm not sure.
6. I don't know for sure but...
Giving yourself time to think
1. Well, let me see...
2. Let me think...
3. Let me get this right...
4. Um, well, that's a difficult question / that's an interesting question.
5. I'll have to / Let me think about that for a moment...
6. I think it's difficult to answer that question...
7. How shall I put it?...
8. Now, how can I best say this...?
Interrupting politely
1. Could I just say something?
2. Actually, I'd just like to say...
3. Sorry to interrupt, but...
4. Oh, while I remember / before I forget...
5. Excuse me...
6. May I interrupt?
Saying you don't know
1. I'm afraid I can't help you.
2. I'm sorry, I don't know.
Making recommendations
1. You mustn't miss the...
2. You must go to the...
3. You've got to... (do)
4. You'll love the...
5. I wouldn't recommend the...
6. You definitely wouldn't enjoy going to the...
Offering something
1. Would you like...?
2. What can I get you?
3. Help yourself to...
4. Please have some...
5. Would you care for some...?
6. Can I offer you...?
7. Can I get you a... / anything?
Accepting something that's offered
1. Yes, please.
2. Thank you very much.
3. That would be very nice.
4. I'd like some... , please.
Declining something that's offered
1. I'm all right/I'm fine, thank you.
2. No, thanks.
3. Not this time, thanks.
4. I'm not sure I could, thank you.
Asking for advice
1. What do you think I should do?
2. What would you do (if you were in my situation)?
3. What would you advise me to do?
giving advice
1. I think you should... (do).
2. You could... (do).
3. Why don't you... (do)?
4. If I were you, I'd... (do).
5. Have you tried... (doing)?
Asking for permission
1. Can I.../May I..., please?
2. Do you mind if I...?
3. Mind if I...?
4. Any chance I could...?
5. I wonder/I was wondering if I could...
6. Would it be possible for me to...
7. Do you have any objection if I...?
8. Would it bother you if I...?
Giving permission
1. Of course.
2. By all means.
3. Certainly.
4. Yes, that's OK/fine.
5. You're welcome to...
7. Please feel free to...
8. Please don't hesitate to...
9. Sure.
10 OK.
11. Go ahead.
12. Why not?
Expressing a preference
1. I'd much rather... (do) than... (do something else).
2. I prefer... to...
3. I'd prefer to... (do).
4. I think... is much more interesting than...
5. I don't find... half as interesting as...
6. I like... better than...
Making invitations
1. What are you doing on... (day)?
2. Have you got any plans for... (day/time of day)?
3. Would you like to... (do)?
4. Do you fancy... (doing)?
5. What about... (doing)?
Accepting an invitation
1. Yes, I'd love to.
2. Yes, that would be great.
Refusing an invitation
1. I'm afraid I'm busy on... (day). How about next... (day)?
2. I'm sorry I can't. I'm... (doing something else).
3. I'm afraid I can't make it. I'm... (doing something else).
4. I'd love to, but...
5. That's very kind of you, but...
Rejecting a suggestion
1. Yes, but wouldn't it be better to... (do).
2. That's a good idea, but... (do).
