Content
- Start a conversation with a stranger to get some information
- Start a conversation in a social setting (party, dinner, meeting with friends).
- Call someone on the phone.
- Greet an acquaintance.
- In a commercial premises or restaurant.
English, like any other language, can only be learned by understanding the context in which the words are used. While learning a wide variety of vocabulary is important, that knowledge cannot be applied if coherent sentences cannot be constructed with the words studied. Therefore, a tool indispensable for learning they are the conversations that usually take place in everyday life.
Each conversation example should be used with different factors in mind:
Context: The place and situation where the conversation takes place.
Relationship with the interlocutor: A friendship, business or educational relationship requires a different type of conversation, as well as a conversation with a stranger.
Start a conversation with a stranger to get some information
- Excuse me, could you tell me what time it is? (Excuse me, could you tell me the time?)
- Is this seat taken? (Is this seat taken?)
- No
- Do you mind if I seat here? (Do you mind if I sit here?)
- Not at all. (Not at all.)
- Hello, do you know how to get to Hyde Park? (Hello, do you know how to get to Hyde Park?)
- Yes, it’s two blocks in that direction. (Yes, it is two blocks in that direction.)
- Thank you. (Thank you.)
- Excurse me, do you know where I can find Mr. Jackson? (Excuse me, do you know where I can find Mr. Jackson?)
- Yes, he's in his office, second door on the left. (Yes, he's in his office, it's the second door on the left.)
- Thank you. (Thank you.)
Start a conversation in a social setting (party, dinner, meeting with friends).
- Did you enjoy the meal? (Did you enjoy the food?)
- Yes, it was really good. (Yes, it was very tasty)
- Where did you meet Sarah? (Where did you meet Sarah?)
- We were classmates at school. (We were classmates in high school.)
Call someone on the phone.
- Hello? (Hi?)
- Hello, is Ann home? (Hello, is Ana home?)
- Yes, I’ll get her for you. (Yes, I'm going to find her.)
- Hello? (Hi?)
- Hello, can I talk to John, please? (Hi, can I speak to John please?)
- Yes, I'll put him through. (Yes, I will communicate it.)
Greet an acquaintance.
- Hi, how are you doing? (Hi how are you?)
- Hi, I'm fine, thanks. How are you? (Hello, fine, thank you. How are you?)
- I’m great, thanks. (I'm great, thanks.)
- Hello, how are you? (Hi how are you?)
- Hi, I'm fine, thanks. Great weather today, don't you think? (Hi, fine, thanks. The weather's great today, don't you think?)
- Yes, I love a sunny day. (Yes, I love sunny days.)
In a commercial premises or restaurant.
- Excuse me, sir, could you tell me the price of this hat? (Excuse me sir, could you tell me the price of this hat?
- Sure, it's 20 pounds? (Sure, it costs 20 pounds)
- I’ll take it, thank you. (I'll take it, thanks.)
- Would you like some dessert or coffee? (Would you like some dessert or coffee?)
- No, thank you. Just the check, please (No, thank you. Just the check, please.)
Andrea is a language teacher, and on her Instagram account she offers private lessons by video call so that you can learn to speak English.
