Agreeing and disadgreeing in English

In English conversations, people often say that they agree or disagree with each other. There are many ways of agreeing or disagreeing and the one you use depends on how strongly you agree or disagree. Here's a list of some common expressions.

Agreeing in English
"I think you're right." "I agree with you."

Strong agreement
"I couldn't agree with you more." " ou're a!solutely right." "I agree entirely." "I totally agree."

Partly agreeing
"I agree with you up to a point, !ut"" "That's #uite true, !ut"" "I agree with you in principle, !ut""

Disagreeing
"I'm not sure I agree with you." "$I'm afraid% I don't agree." "$I'm afraid% I disagree."
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"$I'm afraid% I can't agree with you." "$I'm afraid% I don't share your opinion."

Note
'hen you disagree with someone in English, you can often sound more polite !y using a phrase such as "I'm afraid""

Disagreeing strongly
"I don't agree at all." "I totally disagree." "I couldn't agree with you less."

Complaining in English
'hen complaining in English, it helps to !e polite. This page will help you with this important English speaking skill.

In a shop
ou're in a shop and the assistant gives you the wrong change. "Excuse me, I think you've given me the wrong change", or "(orry, I think this change is wrong. I gave you )*+, not )&+."

In a hotel
"Excuse me, !ut there's a pro!lem with the heating in my room." "(orry to !other you, !ut I think there's something wrong with the air, conditioning." "I'm afraid I have to make a complaint. (ome money has gone missing from my hotel room." "I'm afraid there's a slight pro!lem with my room , the !ed hasn't !een made."
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'hen people apologise, they normally say "sorry" and offer to put the situation right. "Excuse me, !ut there's a pro!lem with the heating." "I'm sorry , I'll get someone to check it for you." or "(orry to hear that , I'll send someone up."

Speaking tip
-lthough you may find it strange to use the word sorry when you complain, English speakers consider it polite. It will help you get what you want.

English greetings
0irst impressions are important, so here's a guide to using the right expression.

Greetings Two friends meeting

0riends often say "Hi" to each other. Then they often ask a general #uestion, such as "How are you1" or "How are things1" or "How's life1" The reply to this #uestion is normally positive. "0ine thanks, and you1" "0ine thanks, what a!out yourself1" "2ot !ad." 3r "4an't complain."

Greeting people you don't know

ou can use "Hello" with people you don't know, !ut a more formal greeting is "5ood morning 6 afternoon 6 evening." The other person normally replies with the same greeting as you have used and then makes polite conversation, such as "How was your trip1" or "7id you find our office easily1"

Introdu ing yourself

At an informal party
"Hello, I'm 8aria." 3r "Hello, my name's 8aria." The reply could !e9
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"Hi, I'm (arah." 3r "Hello 8aria, I'm (arah." 3r "2ice to meet you, I'm (arah."

At work!related e"ents
"I'd like to introduce myself. I'm 8aria, from english;home." 3r, "<et me introduce myself. I'm 8aria from english;home." The reply could !e9 "2ice to meet you. I'm =eter 8itchell, from 8itchell 4reations." "=leased to meet you. I'm =eter 8itchell, from 8itchell 4reations." "How do you do1 I'm =eter 8itchell from 8itchell 4reations."

Introdu ing other people

Introdu ing a friend to a work olleague
"(arah, have you met my colleague >ohn1" "(arah, I'd like you to meet my colleague >ohn." (arah says9 "=leased to meet you, >ohn." 3r "2ice to meet you, >ohn." >ohn could say9 "2ice to meet you too, (arah." 3r "Hello, (arah."

Introdu ing lients

"8r 8itchell, I'd like to introduce you to my manager, Henry <ewis." 8r 8itchell could then say9 "How do you do1" and Henry <ewis also says "How do you do1" 3r 8r 8itchell could say9
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"=leased to meet you." 3r "5ood to meet you."

Speaking Tip
"#ow do you do$" is #uite formal for @ritish English speakers and the reply to this #uestion is to repeat the phrase, "#ow do you do$" $as strange as that may sound.%

At a more informal party

'hen you introduce two of your friends to each other, you can simply say, ">ohn, this is (arah."

Cultural onsiderations
-t work, one person may have higher status , your !oss, or a client, for example. It's polite to address them as 8r 6 8s until the situation !ecomes more informal. If someone says, "=lease call me $Henry%", you know you can use first names. If someone uses your first name, you can use their first name too. =eople in European and English,speaking cultures often shake hands when they meet someone for the first time. A 7on't forget to smile. :-)

Introdu ing people

'hat's your name1 'ho are you1 8y name is ... I am ... 8y friends call me ... ou can call me ... Haven't we met $!efore%1 es, I think we have. 2o, I don't think we have. I think we've already met. I don't think we've met $!efore%. This is ...
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8eet ... Have you met ...1 es, I have. 2o, I haven't. es, I think I have. 2o, I don't think I have. Hello, ... $name% 2ice to meet you. $informal% =leased to meet you. How do you do1 $formal% 2ice to see you. 2ice to see you again.

%aking appointments
Cseful phrases for making and changing appointments.

Asking to meet
"-re you availa!le on the &Dth1" "4an we meet on the &Bth1" "How does the /rd sound to you1" "-re you free next week1" "'ould 0riday suit you1" "Is next Tuesday convenient for you1" "'hat a!out sometime next week1"

Agreeing on a date
" es, Thursday is fine." "Thursday suits me." "Thursday would !e perfect."

Suggesting a different date

"I'm afraid I can't on the /rd. 'hat a!out the Bth1" "I'm sorry, I won't !e a!le to make it on 8onday. 4ould we meet on Tuesday instead1" "-h, 'ednesday is going to !e a little difficult. I'd much prefer 0riday, if that's alright with you." "I really don't think I can on the &Dth. 4an we meet up on the &Eth1"

Setting a time
"'hat sort of time would suit you1" "Is /pm a good time for you1" "If possi!le, I'd like to meet in the morning." "How does *pm sound to you1"

Changing the arrangement

" ou know we were going to meet next 0riday1 'ell, I'm very sorry, !ut something urgent has come up." "I'm afraid that I'm not going to !e a!le to meet you after all. 4an we fix another time1" "(omething has Fust cropped up and I won't !e a!le to meet you this afternoon. 4an we make another time1"

%aking generalisations
English speakers often prefer to make generalisations, rather than saying something is a fact. 'hen you make generalisations, you will sound less direct and sure of yourself and therefore more open to other people's suggestions and ideas. =eople will think you're friendly.

To show that something is generally true

tend to "I tend to agree with you." $I agree with most of what you say.% "I tend to go to !ed early in winter." $I normally go to !ed early in winter.% ha"e a tenden y to "The English have a tendency to drink tea, not coffee." 2ote9 ha"e a tenden y to is used more in written than in spoken English. To show how ommon something is Generally speaking "5enerally speaking, more men than women use the internet." In most ases "In most cases, wars are caused !y land disputes." In some ases "In some cases, English !eaches are unsafe for swimming." In a large num&er of ases "In a large num!er of cases, o!esity is caused !y over,eating." %ostly, often, sometimes $These words go !efore the main ver!, or after the ver! to &e% "'e are mostly concerned with costs." "They mostly go to the cinema at weekends."
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"Eating chocolate sometimes causes migraines." "He is sometimes difficult to work with." "English people often complain a!out the weather."

Speaking Tip
-lthough you may find it strange to avoid saying exactly what you mean, !eing a!le to make generalisations is a speaking skill that will make you sound much more like a native English speaker.

%aking in"itations
How to make and accept invitations in English. "'hat are you doing next (aturday1 'e're having some people over for a meal. 'ould you like to come1" "-re you free next Thursday1" "-re you doing anything next weekend1" "'ould you !e interested in coming to the cinema with me tonight1" "How do you fancy going out for a meal at the weekend1"

A epting
"'ould you like to"" "I'd love to, thanks." "That's very kind of you, thanks." "That sounds lovely, thanks." "7o you fancy coming to the cinema tonight1 " "'hat a great idea, thanks."
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De lining
"'ould you like to come over for dinner on (aturday1" "That's very kind of you, !ut actually I'm doing something else on (aturday." "'ell, I'd love to, !ut I'm already going out to the cinema." "I'm really sorry, !ut I've got something else on." "I really don't think I can , I'm supposed to !e doing something else."

Speaking Tip
It's important to !e polite when you decline an invitation. 'e normally give a reason why we can't do something and either apologise, or use words like "a tually" or "really".

%aking offers
English speakers make offers all the time in conversation. They say things like9 Can I ? Shall I ? Would you like me to ? Csing these common English phrases , and !eing a!le to accept and reFect offers , will make you sound polite and helpful. "4an I help you1" "(hall I open the window for you1" "'ould you like another coffee1" "'ould you like me to answer the phone1" "I'll do the photocopying, if you like." Shall, an and will are followed !y the ver! without to.
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Shall is more formal than an. 'ould you like( is followed either !y a noun, or !y the ver! with to.

)esponding to offers
These English dialogues show you ways to accept or reFect offers made to you. "4an I help you1" " es please. I'd like to know what time the train leaves." "4an I help you1" "No thanks, I'm Fust looking." $In a shop.% "(hall I open the window for you1" " es please. That would !e very kind of you." "'ould you like another coffee1" "No thanks." 3r, "No thank you." "'ould you like another coffee1" " es please, that would !e lovely." 3r, " es please, I'd love one." "'ould you like me to answer the phone1" "If you wouldn't mind." 3r, "If you could." $7on't answer " es, I would", as this sounds like you expect someone to do it for you.% "I'll do the photocopying, if you like." "It's 3H, I can do it." 3r, "7on't worry, I'll do it. "3r, "Thank you, that would !e great."

Speaking tip
'ith a little practice, you'll find it easy to use these English expressions. They'll help you sound !oth natural and confident.

%aking predi tions

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'hen we want to say what we think will happen in the future in English, we can either use will followed !y the ver! without to, or &e going to followed !y the ver!. "'hat do you think will happen next year1" "2ext week is going to &e very !usy, I think." "There won't &e a rise in house prices next year." "He isn't going to win the election." @ecause we also use will to talk a!out intentions and strong decisions, we often use &e going to to sound less emotional. "He won't help us" can mean that he has decided not to help us. @ut "He isn't going to help us" doesn't have this negative implication. It sounds more like a prediction and a simple, non,emotional fact, perhaps he isn't a!le to help us.

Predi tions &ased on what you know now

'e can make predictions !ased on what we can see now. To do this, we use &e going to and the ver! $not will%. 0or example9 "'atch out. ou're going to hit that car in front." "It's going to &e a lovely day today , not a cloud in the sky."

%aking re*uests
'hen you ask someone to do something for you, or ask if you can do something, it's important to sound polite. Here are some of the common ways that you can do this.

Asking someone to do something for you

"4ould you open the door for me, please1"
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"'ould you mind opening the door for me, please1" "4an you open the door for me, please1'

Speaking tip
Could and an are followed !y the ver! without to. 'ould you mind is followed !y the ver! and !ing.

Asking if you an do something

"4an I use your computer, please1" "4ould I !orrow some money from you, please1" "7o you mind if I turn up the heating1" "'ould you mind if I turned up the heating1"

Speaking tip
Could is more polite that an. "Do you mind if(" is followed !y the ver! in the present tense, !ut "would you mind if(" is followed !y the ver! in the past tense. 'hen you're using these two sentences, don't use please. It's already polite enough.

Speaking a&out hopes in English

There are a num!er of expressions you can use to show your hopes and preferences.

#opes
I'm hoping for $noun% $"I'm hoping for a new cell phone."% I'm hoping to get" $"I'm hoping to get a new phone."% I would like"
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I really want" $Csing "want" can !e impolite unless you are talking to a close friend or family mem!er.% (omething I've always wanted is" I'd !e delighted 6 over the moon if" $"I'd !e delighted if you gave me a new watch."% 'hat I'd like more than anything else is" 3n my 4hristmas wish list is"

Preferen es
I'd rather have $noun% $"I'd rather have tickets to the opera."% I'd rather you $simple past% $"I'd rather you saved your money."% I'd prefer $noun% $"I'd prefer some money for the new house."% I'd prefer it if you $simple past% $"I'd prefer it if you gave some money to charity."% ".. would !e more suita!le 6 would !e !etter If I had a choice, I would go for" If it's all the same to you, ". $"If it's all the same to you, I'd like some !ook tokens."%

Suggestions in English
The following English words and expressions are all used to make suggestions and give advice to people.

should
" ou should try to practise English." " ou shouldn't translate too much."

'hy don't you

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"'hy don't you Foin an English clu!1"

ought to
" ou ought to read more."

If I were you+ I'd(

"If I were you, I'd watch more television." A-ll these expressions are followed !y a verb, without to. 0or example9 "He should visit the Eiffel Tower." $2ot "he should to visit the Eiffel Tower."% suggest and re ommend either use a "er& , ing "I suggest visiting the Eiffel Tower." $'e should all go.% ! use that , lause without to "I suggest that you visit the Eiffel Tower." $I'm not going.% ! use a noun "I recommend the lasagne." $It's a very good dish to choose in this restaurant.%

ad"ise
"I advise you to !uy a good dictionary." -dvice is an uncounta!le noun. This means that we can't say an ad"i e. Instead, we say some ad"i e or a pie e of ad"i e. "<et me give you some advice." "(he gave me a very useful piece of advice9 to !uy a good dictionary."

Speaking tip
8any people don't like getting advice if they haven't asked for it. To avoid giving the wrong impression, you can try some of these expressions9 " ou could always""
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"Have you considered"" "=erhaps we could"" "7o you think it's a good idea to""

Talking a&out fear

There are many words and expressions for talking a!out fear.

'ords
-fraid9 "-re you afraid of the dark1" 0rightened9 "IIm frightened of spiders." (cared9 "HeIs s ared of making mistakes." 0eel uneasy9 "I felt a &it uneasy when I walked home in the dark." (pooked9 J8y cats are easily spooked !efore a thunderstorm.K Terrified9 J(he was a!solutely terrified when she heard the noise.K =etrified9 JThe !uilding !egan to shake and we were all petrified.K

E-pressions
a terrifying ordeal send shivers down my spine give me goose!umps $goose!umps are when your skin has little !umps on it% make the hairs on the !ack of my neck stand up $dogs also do this when they are scared% scare the hell out of me !e scared shitless 6 shit scared $@ritish slang , vulgar% !e !ricking it $@ritish slang , vulgar% frighten the life out of me shake with fear Fump out of my skin E-amples 3ne of the !est horror films I have seen is JThe @lair 'itch =roFectK. It tells the story of a terrifying ordeal in the woods of northern C(-. (ome of the scenes in the film sent shi"ers down my spine, especially the one when the students run out of the tent in the middle of the night. 'hen
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they go !ack, one of the guyIs rucksack has !een emptied. 'hen that same guy goes missing the next day, it gi"es you goose&umps. There are some fa!ulous sound effects, especially the ones of the wind !lowing and howling. 'hen you hear the crying voices at the end of the film, it will make the hairs on the &a k of your ne k stand up. =erhaps the scariest part of the film is at the end, when you see one of the surviving students literally shake with fear in the corner of the !asement. It certainly frightened the life out of the girl when she saw him, and I .umped out of my skin at the end when the camera stopped filming. The film s ared the hell out of me for weeks afterwards, and IIm ashamed to say that I wouldnIt go into an empty room in the house unless there was someone there with me.

Talking a&out likes and dislikes in English

There's a whole range of English expressions you can use to talk a!out how much you like or dislike something.

If you lo"e something

"I lo"e eating ice,cream." "I adore sun,!athing."

If you like something a lot

"(he's fond of chocolate." "I like swimming very much."

If you like something

"He "uite likes going to the cinema." "I like cooking."

If you neither like nor dislike something

"I don't mind doing the housework."
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If you don't like something

"(he doesn't like cooking very much." "He's not "ery fond of doing the gardening." "I dislike wasting time."

If you really dislike something

"I don't like sport at all." "He an't stand his !oss." "(he an't &ear cooking in a dirty kitchen." "I hate crowded supermarkets." "He detests !eing late." "(he loathes celery."

Speaking tips
Dislike is #uite formal. /ond of is normally used to talk a!out food or people. The 'oa' in loathe rhymes with the 'oa' in &oat.

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Grammar Note
To talk a!out your general likes or dislikes, follow this pattern9 like something or like doing something.

Common mistake
@e careful where you put "ery mu h or a lot. These words should go after the thing that you like. 0or example, "I like reading very much." 23T "I like very much reading."

Talking a&out pro&a&ility in English

There are many ways of saying that something will pro!a!ly or possi!ly happen.

Pro&a&le
&ound to L certain9 "They are !ound to succeed." sure to L certain9 "He is sure to win the championship." likely to L pro!a!le9 "'e are likely to win the contract." definite L sure9 "He's a definite frontrunner for the Fo!." #robable9 "It's pro!a!le that we will !e on holiday around then." likely9 "-n election is likely next year." will definitely happen9 "There will definitely !e a storm later." will pro&a&ly happen9 "They will pro!a!ly take on more staff."

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Possi&le
may9 "'e may !e a!le to help you." might9 "There might !e a holiday next month , I'm not sure." ould9 "There could !e a !ug in the system." ( is possi&le9 "7o you think he will resign1" " es, that's possi!le." ( is unlikely9 "It's unlikely that she will move." will possi&ly9 "(he'll possi!ly tell us tomorrow." pro&a&ly won't9 "They pro!a!ly won't hear until next week." definitely won't9 "I definitely won't go to the party." ( is highly unlikely9 "It's highly unlikely that the company will expand."

Note
@e careful of the word order. "7efinitely" and "pro!a!ly" come after "will" $in positive sentences% and !efore "won't" in negative sentences.

0ariations
ou can add words to alter the strength of pro!a!ility9 highly likely 6 unlikely $L very likely 6 unlikely% *uite likely 6 pro!a!le 6 possi!le $L more likely, pro!a!le or possi!le% could possi&ly1pro&a&ly most definitely won't 23 e"en more unlikely4

Talking a&out the weather

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It's true. @ritish people often start a conversation with strangers and friends !y talking a!out the weather. -s weather is a neutral topic of conversation, it's usually safe to use it to strike up a conversation , at the !us stop, in a shop, or with a neigh!our over the garden fence.

Some e-amples of on"ersation starters

"<ovely day, isn't it." "@it nippy today." "'hat strange weather we're having." "It doesn't look like it's going to stop raining today."

Attitude to weather
-lthough @ritish people like to complain a!out !ad weather, they generally put a !rave face on it. If someone complains a!out too much rain, you might hear9 "2ever mind , it's good for the garden." If someone complains that it's too hot, you could hear9 "-t least my tomatoes will !e happy." If the conversation has !een a!out general !ad weather, perhaps someone will say9 "'ell, I've heard it's worse in the west. They've had terri!le flooding."

Predi ting the weather

'e can make predictions a!out the weather, using a range of forms , not Fust the "will" or "going to" form9 "I think it'll clear up later." "It's going to rain &y the looks of it."
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"'e're in for frost tonight." "They're e-pe ting snow in the north." "I hear that showers are oming our way."

#uman attri&utes
'e also attri!ute human features to the weather, almost as if the weather can decide what to do9 "The sun's trying to come out." "It's !een trying to rain all morning." "It's finally decided to rain."

5nderstanding the fore ast

8any @ritish people are keen gardeners, and they keep a close eye on the weather forecast. Here are some of the weather features which can worry gardeners9 a hard frost !liMMard 6 galeforce conditions hailstones prolonged rain !lustery wind a drought Here are some more temperate conditions which gardeners like9 mild weather sunny spells light driMMle

Talking a&out your family

English Noca!ulary for talking a!out your family.

6our family tree

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our closest relatives are your parents9 your mother and fatherO and your si&lings $&rothers or sisters%. If your mother or father is not an only hild, you also have aunts and6or un les. -n aunt is the sister of your mother or father, while an uncle is the !rother of your mother or father. our female child is called your daughter, and your male child is your son. If your aunts or uncles have children, they are your first ousins. $In English, the word cousin is used, whether the cousin is female or male.% our female cousin is your mother $or father's% nie e, while a male cousin is the nephew of your mother and father.

In!laws
'hen you marry, your hus!and $or wife's% family !ecome your in!laws. The mother of your spouse $hus!and or wife% is your mother!in!law and his or her father !ecomes your father!in!law. The term in,law is also used to descri!e your relationship with the spouses of your si!lings. (o the hus!and of your sister !ecomes your &rother!in!law, while the sister of your hus!and !ecomes your sister!in!law. If you are a woman, you !ecome the daughter!in!law of your hus!and's parents, and if you are a man, you !ecome the son!in!law of your wife's parents. The same term in,law is used for all generations. The hus!and of your aunt is still your mother's !rother,in,law, for example.

Grandparents1grand hildren
The parents of your parents are your grandparents - grandmother and grandfather. ou are their grand hildren , either a granddaughter or a grandson. If your grandparent has a sister, she is your great!aunt. If your grandparent has a !rother, he is your great!un le. $-nd you are either his or her great!nie e or great!nephew.% The mother of your grandmother or grandfather is your great! grandmother. The father is your great!grandfather. If you go !ack another generation, the grandmother of your grandmother 6 grandfather is your great!great!grandmother. The grandfather of your grandparent !ecomes your great!great!grandfather.

Se ond families
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If your mother or father remarries, you can ac#uire a new family and set of relatives. 0or example, if your father marries a second wife, she !ecomes your step!mother. -ny children she already has !ecome your step!sisters or step!&rothers. If your mother or father remarries and has children, they !ecome your half!&rothers or half!sisters. ou might also hear people talking a!out their &iologi al !rother 6 sister etc, to mean a !rother who is related !y !lood, rather than !y marriage.

Types of family
nu lear family L mother, father and children9 "The traditional @ritish family unit is a nuclear family." single!parent1one!parent family L a family which only has one parent $!ecause the parents are divorced, or !ecause one of the parents has died%9 "There are more and more single,parent families in the CH." immediate family L your closest relatives9 "3nly immediate family mem!ers attended the funeral." e-tended family L your entire family9 "The wedding invitations were sent to the entire extended family." lose!knit family L a family where the mem!ers have close relationships with each other9 "They are a close,knit family." dysfun tional family L a family where the mem!ers have serious pro!lems with each other9 "He comes from a rather dysfunctional family." &lood relati"e L a relative connected to you !y "!lood" rather than through marriage9 "(he's not a !lood relative, !ut we're still very close."

E-pressions with family

family gathering L a meeting 6 cele!ration of family mem!ers9 "There's a small family gathering next week."
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family resem&lan e L where mem!ers of the family look 6 act similar9 " ou can see a distinct family resem!lance !etween the father and the son." to start a family L to start having children9 "They want to wait a couple of years !efore starting a family." to run in the family L a characteristic that is common among family mem!ers9 "@aldness runs in his family." to &ring up1raise a family L to have and look after children9 "It's difficult to raise a family on one income." a family ar L a car !ig enough to transport a family9 "The Nolvo Estate is a popular family car." family!si7e L large #uantity item9 "'e need to !uy family,siMe packets of !iscuits." family!friendly L a policy that favours families9 "This hotel is family, friendly." family do tor L a doctor who looks after general medical needs9 "There are a num!er of good family doctors in this area." family man L a man who prefers to spend his time with his family9 ">ohn is a family man." family "alues L traditional ideas a!out what a family should !e9 "(ome political parties often emphasise family values and the importance of marriage." family name L surname9 "'hat's your family name1"

Des ri&ing family relationships

4hildren often #uarrel with each other, and these arguments , or s*ua&&les , are often #uickly resolved. In fact, si&ling ri"alry $the competition !etween !rothers and sisters% is #uite common.

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8ore seriously, if arguments continue into adulthood, family feuds can develop where !oth sides can end up hating each other and even trying to hurt or destroy each other. - person who no longer speaks to a family mem!er is estranged from his6her family. 3ften estrangement is voluntary. However, if parents decide they no longer want anything to do with their children, they ut them off $L !reak off communiation%, or even disinherit them. $7ecide not to leave them anything when they die.% 8ost people feel loyalty to their family, and will defend family mem!ers saying "#e 1 She's family". There's also a saying "8lood's thi ker than water" which means that your family ties are stronger than any other relationships.

Telling a story
- useful skill in English is to !e a!le to tell a story or an anecdote. -necdotes are short stories a!out something that happened to you or to someone you know.

#ow to start
Traditional stories often start with the phrase "9n e upon a time". However, if you are going to tell your story after someone else has already spoken, you can say something like9 That reminds me. 0unny you should say that. 7id I ever tell you a!out" Hearing your story reminds me of when" (omething similar happened to me".

#ow to tell your story

0irst of all, your story should !e #uite short. Try to keep it grammatically simple as well, so that it is easy to follow. 8ake it easy for the listener to understand !y using se#uencing and linking words9
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Se*uen ing words

These words show the chronological se#uence of events. 0irst of all, I $packed my suitcase% (econdly, I ". $made sure I had all my documents% =reviously $!efore that% ".. I changed some money. Then" I $called a taxi for the airport% <ater $on%" $when we were stuck in traffic, I realised"% @ut !efore al that" $I had dou!le checked my reservation% 0inally" $I arrived at the wrong check,in desk at the wrong airport for a flight that didn't go until the next day%

:inking words
Cse these words to link your ideas for the listener. <inking words can !e used to show reason, result, contrasting information, additional information, and to summarise. I !ooked a flight !ecause". -s a result, I was late" -lthough I had a reservation, I hadn't checked the airport name. I made sure I had an up,to,date passport and I also took along my driving licence. In short, I had made a complete mess of the holiday.

Tenses
'e can use a variety of tenses to tell stories and anecdotes. >okes are often in the present tense9 - man walks into a !ar and orders a !eer. 'e also use the present tense to give a dramatic narrative effect9 The year is &+BB. In medieval England people are worried that the king, Harold, is not strong enough to fight off a 2orman invasion. However, we generally use past forms to talk a!out past events. If you tell your story in chronological order, you can use the past simple9 I dou!le checked my reservation. I packed my suitcase, and then I called a taxi.
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Cse the past ontinuous to descri!e activities in progress at the time of your story, or to descri!e the !ackground. The sun was shining and it was a !eautiful day. 'e were driving along the motorway #uite steadily until we suddenly saw in front of us the warning lights to slow down. 'e were heading towards a huge tail!ack. (ometimes, you might want to avoid telling your story as one chronological event after the other. ou can use the past perfe t $simple and continuous% to add more interest to your story !y talking a!out events that happened !efore the events in your story9 I dou!le checked my reservation, which I had made three days previously. I wanted to visit some friends who had !een living in 0rance for the last five years.

0o a&ulary
Try to use a wide range of words to make your story more interesting. Pemem!er that you can "exaggerate" when you tell a story, so instead of using words like "nice" or "!ad", experiment with more interesting words, such as "!eautiful", "fa!ulous", "wonderful", "horri!le", "awful" or "terri!le". 0inally , remem!er that you are telling a story , not giving a lecture. <ook at the people listening, and try to "involve" them in the story or anecdote. Heep eye contact, use the right intonation and try to make your face expressive. ou might also want to try practising a few anecdotes in the mirror !efore "going live". Have fun.

0isiting the do tor

The first time you visit a new doctor, you should talk a!out your medi al history , the illnesses you have had, any operations you have had and so on. our doctor might want to give you a he k!up. - check,up will include monitoring your &lood pressure, as high !lood pressure is serious and can lead to life!threatening onditions. our
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doctor will pro!a!ly also take your pulse to check that your heart rate is normal. - doctor uses a stethos ope to listen to your !reathing , particularly if you have a heart or hest infe tion, or a condition such as asthma. 3f course, you can also visit the doctor for a huge range of other reasons. 4hildren need to have their in.e tions and if you are going a!road on holiday, you might also need to have inFections against infe tious diseases. In winter, you can also get a flu "a ine so that you won't get the flu. If you need medication, a doctor will write you a pres ription. ou can get your pres ription filled at a chemist. 0or more serious medical conditions, you can get a referral to a lini or a hospital. ou might need &lood tests done, or you might need an ;!ray, or you might need to see a spe ialist.

'ords that des ri&e &eha"iour

The -,Q of English word and phrases that descri!e &eha"iour.

A
a ti"e L always doing something9 "(he's an active person and never wants to stay in." aggressi"e $ !eing angry or threatening9 "He's aggressive and starts arguments." am&itious L wanting to succeed9 "He's am!itious and wants to lead the company." argumentati"e L always arguing with people9 "He won't accept what you say , he's argumentative and loves to disagree." arrogant L thinking you are !etter than anyone else9 "He always !ehaves as if no!ody else's opinion is important , "I find him very arrogant."
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asserti"e L !eing confident, so people can't force you to do things you don't want to do9 "It's important to !e assertive at work."

8
&ad!tempered L in a !ad mood9 "'hat's got into him lately1 He's so !ad, tempered." &ig!headed L thinking you're very important or clever9 "I've never met anyone so !ig,headed." &ossy L telling people what to do all the time9 "He's so !ossy , he never lets me do things the way I want to do them."

C
areless L not taking care9 "He's a careless driver , "I'm sure he'll have an accident." aring L wanting to help people9 "8y !oss is caring and often asks me how things are going." atty $ saying nasty or spiteful things a!out other people9 "I know you don't like her, !ut calling her names is a !it catty." autious $ !eing careful, so that you avoid mistakes9 "He's cautious a!out investing money in the stock market." harming L pleasant and likea!le9 "'hat a charming man." heeky L !eing rude or disrespectful9 "It was a !it cheeky of him to ask for more money." %lever L intelligent9 "(he's a clever student and picks things up #uickly." on eited L thinking you're very clever, or !etter than others9 "He's so conceited , he thinks everyone should admire him." ons ientious L doing something carefully, !ecause you want to do it well9 "(he's a conscientious student and always does her homework."

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onsiderate L thinking and caring a!out others9 "8y neigh!our !rought me flowers when I was in hospital , he's very considerate." $"That was considerate of him."% oy L pretending to !e shy so that you don't have to give information9 "He's very coy a!out his #ualifications , may!e he doesn't have any." reati"e L someone who can make or design things, or can think of solutions to a pro!lem9 "(he's creative and artistic." urious L wanting to know things9 "I'm curious to find out what you think of the situation."

D
de eitful L trying to make people think something, so that you get what you want9 "He lied to get this Fo! , he's so deceitful." do ile $ #uiet and su!missive9 "(he's a docile child and always does what she's told." dogmati L wanting others to accept your ideas without discussion9 "He's a dogmatic politician and always thinks he's right." domineering L trying to control other people9 "He's loud and domineering in the office , it's difficult to get him to listen to us."

E
enthusiasti% L having a lot of interest in something9 "He's an enthusiastic supporter of e#ual rights." e&%itable L someone who easily gets excited9 "He gets very excita!le a!out politics , it's one of his passions in life." e&troverted L outgoing and lively9 "(he's extroverted and loves going out with people." ' (aith(ul L !eing loyal to someone or something9 "(he's a faithful friend."
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(i%kle L changing your mind and !eing unpredicta!le9 "=oliticians can !e fickle when it suits them." (laky L slightly unsta!le and unrelia!le9 "(he's a little flaky at times, !ut otherwise she's a good worker." (ull o( himsel( L acting proud of yourself9 "He was full of himself after he got the promotion , it got annoying after a while." (unny L making other people laugh9 "He can !e extremely funny when he's in the mood." (ussy L only liking certain things9 "(he's fussy a!out what she wears." ) *ood-natured L kind and thoughtful9 "(he's good,natured and always tries to help." *rum#y L someone who tends to !e in a !ad mood9 "He's always grumpy in the morning and never says 'hello'." + ha##y-*o-lu%ky L not worrying a!out what might happen in the future9 "He's a !it happy,go,lucky and doesn't think a!out the future." I im#ulsive $ doing things without thinking first9 "If he sees something he likes, he Fust !uys it , he can !e so impulsive at times." in%onsiderate L not considering other people or their feelings9 "It was a little inconsiderate of him not to give you a get,well card." introverted L opposite of extroverted9 "He was introverted as a teenager, !ut !ecame more confident as he got older." inventive L a!le to think up new ideas9 "-s head of 8arketing, he can often think of inventive ways to keep his customers happy." irritatin* L annoying others9 "He can !e very irritating to work with."
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, -okey L making Fokes9 " ou're in a Fokey mood today, !ut we've got work to do." -olly L happy and cheerful9 "It was the weekend and everyone was in a Folly mood." . kind L thoughtful and caring9 "8y neigh!our is kind , she looked after my cat when I was on holiday." / loud-mouthed L someone who talks a lot and often says offensive things9 "7on't worry a!out what he said , he's loud,mouthed at times." loyal L someone who is faithful and stands !y you9 "His colleagues were loyal to him when he was having pro!lems with his !oss." 0 mani% L !ehaving in a slightly craMy way9 "'e're a !it manic at the moment , we're rushing to finish the work !efore our deadline." mani#ulative L trying to get people to do what you want, !y influencing or deceiving them9 "(he's very manipulative when she wants something." moody L having unpredicta!le moods9 "(ome people think he's moody , you never know if he's happy or grumpy." N nervous L uncomforta!le with a situation9 "I'm always nervous !efore an exam."

old-(ashioned L !ehaving or thinking in a way that isn't modern9 "He's a !it old,fashioned and thinks women shouldn't work."
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o#inionated L having strong opinions9 "He's opinionated and dogmatic , the last person you want to negotiate with." 1 #assive L not assertive , doing what other people want you to do without arguing9 "He's passive at work, !ut domineering at home." #er(e%tionnist L someone who wants perfection9 "Her !oss is a perfectionnist , no spelling mistakes are allowed." #ersuasive L !eing a!le to persuade people to do things or to accept your ideas9 "He's a persuasive talker." #i%ky L only liking certain things or people9 "(he's picky a!out her friends." #lay(ul L someone who likes to play and have fun9 " ou're in a playful mood today." #leasant L nice and polite9 "The !ank manager was pleasant to me today." #olite L showing good manners9 "(he's polite and never forgets to say 'please' or 'thank you'." #ra*mati% L !eing practical and aware of your limitations9 "(he's pragmatic at work and only does what she can." 2 "ui%k-tem#ered L getting angry #uickly9 "He was #uick,tempered when he was young, !ut he's more relaxed now." ! reserved L keeping your ideas and thoughts to yourself9 "He's reserved, !ut polite." rude L impolite9 "He's very rude and never says 'please' or 'thank you'."

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S s%atter-brained 3 s%atty L someone who often forgets things9 "7on't you remem!er where you put your wallet1 ou're so scatter,!rained." serious L not light,hearted9 "He's a serious student and always does his homework." shy L #uiet, !ecause you are not very confident9 "He's so shy and hates saying anything to people he doesn't know." sin%ere L saying what you !elieve $opposite of insin%ere%9 "He's sincere in his !eliefs." sla#dash L doing your work #uickly and carelessly9 "He's got a very slapdash attitude , I dou!t he'll ever !ecome a lawyer." slimy L trying to get what you want !y !eing over,friendly9 "That man is so slimy , he makes me feel sick." sly L doing things in a secretive way9 " ou never know what he's up to , he's sly and manipulative." s#ite(ul L trying to hurt other people !ecause you didn't get what you wanted9 "If she doesn't get what she wants, she can !e #uite spiteful." 4 thou*ht(ul $ someone who thinks a lot9 "He's a thoughtful person and won't do anything unless he has considered the conse#uences." thou*htless L not thinking a!out people or the conse#uences of your actions9 "I'm sure he didn't mean to !e rude , he can !e thoughtless at times." trust5orthy L someone you can trust9 "8y accountant is really trustworthy." 6 volatile #uickly changing moods9 "He's easily excita!le and pretty volatile."
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W 5itty L !eing a!le to make other people laugh !y what you say9 "He's witty and charming , the perfect person to invite to a party."

Personalities
-. L -dFective -7N. L -dver! I78. L Idiom 2. L 2oun N. L Ner! %yni%al -. seeing little or no good in other people, !elieving that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere. 4ynical suggests a dis!elief in the sincerity of human motives -. having strange, unusual or a!normal ha!its or tastes This term is less insulting than strange, weird or bizarre. -. thinking too highly of oneself, considering oneself !etter than others. -. una!le to decide #uickly, not knowing what choice to make -. hard to please, too careful in choosing something -. practical, reasona!le, something that makes sense -. easily feels emotion, easily hurt emotionally can be positive or negative -. often doing things to make other people feel good

e%%entri% e*otisti%al

ima*inative -. creative, having much imagination inde%isive #i%ky sensible sensitive

so#histi%ated -. representing high culture, very experienced in life thou*ht(ul

)ephrasing
(ometimes we say things that other people don't understand, or we give the wrong impression. This is an example conversation where one person says something that the other person thinks is strange. :5I<: "English is a very easy language to learn."
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I)ENE: "'hat do you mean1" :5I<: "'ell, what I meant to say was that it is easy if you practise every day." I)ENE: "3h, right."

)ephrasing e-pressions
"'hat I meant to say was"" "<et me rephrase that"" "<et me put this another way"" "=erhaps I'm not making myself clear""

8a k to the &eginning
If you're explaining something, and you realise that the other person doesn't understand, you can use the following phrases9 "If we go !ack to the !eginning"" "The !asic idea is"" "3ne way of looking at it is"" "-nother way of looking at it is""

If you forget the English word

If you forget the word you want to use, you can say9 "I can't find the word I'm looking for"" "I'm not sure that this is the right word, !ut"" "'hat I want to say is""

Speaking Tip
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7on't !e afraid to repeat what you're saying, especially if you can do it in a slightly different way.

Gi"ing ad"i e in English

There are many ways of giving advice in English. Here are some of the more common expressions. "If I were you, I would"" "Have you thought a!out"" " ou really ought to"" $'ought' is pronounced 'ort'% "'hy don't you"" "In your position, I would"" " ou should perhaps"" " ou could always"" E-amples If someone says "I'm having pro!lems learning English", you could say9 "If I were you, I'd sign up for an English course." "Have you thought a!out going to the CH for a couple of weeks1" " ou really ought to watch English television." "'hy don't you read more English !ooks1" "In your position, I would try and practise speaking English." " ou should perhaps look at the english,at,home.com we!site." " ou could always get a penpal."

Gi"ing your opinions

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There are many ways to give your opinions when speaking English. The exact English expression you use depends on how strong your opinion is.

Gi"ing your opinion neutrally

"I think"" "I feel that"" "In my opinion"" "-s far as I'm concerned"" "-s I see it"" "In my view"" "I tend to think that""

Gi"ing a strong opinion

"I'm a!solutely convinced that"" "I'm sure that"" "I strongly !elieve that"" "I have no dou!t that""

English e-pressions for asking someone's opinion

"'hat do you think1" "'hat's your view1" "How do you see the situation1"

Speaking Tip
Try to practise using these expressions, so that your speech sounds more varied.
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#ow to ask for things in English

-sking for things in English doesn't need to !e stressful. >ust remem!er some key phrases, and you'll !e a!le to deal with most situations smoothly and confidently.

Asking lerks or at help desks

$Hello.% 4an 6 4ould I have ".. please1 $0alling intonation% $5ood morning.% 4an 6 4ould you give 6 get me ".. please1 $5ood evening.% - ta!le for two, please.

Interrupting people to ask them for something

Excuse me" ". 7o you know if"1 ". 7o you have"1 ". 7o you accept ". $credit cards%1 ". Is this the right way for". $the =ost 3ffice%1 ". 4ould you tell me if ". $there's a =ost 3ffice near here%1

In more formal situations

Excuse me" ". 'ould you mind ". $keeping an eye on my luggage1% ". I wonder if you could ". $move your suitcase a little.%

)esponding to *uestions
ou ask for something, then the person you have asked needs more information. He or she asks you a #uestion. If you haven't expected this, you can "play for time" , say something to give you time to think. (ay something like "3h", "-h", "Cm", or "Er" to give you a second or two to formulate an answer. Pemem!er, complete silence makes the other person feel uneasy.
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ou9 "Two tickets to 5lasgow, please." 4lerk9 "(ingle or return1" ou9 "Cm, return please. 'e're coming !ack tomorrow." $ ou are at the !ureau de change% 4lerk9 How would you like your money1 ou9 3h, er, three tens and a five, please. ou9 "Hello. 4an I have a leaflet a!out <ondon museums, please." 4lerk9 "(ure. -nything else1" ou9 "Cm, do you have any information a!out musicals1"

Speaking Tips
'hen you ask someone for something, or you ask them to do something for you, it is essential to !e as polite as possi!le. Here are some ways that you can !e polite.

Say hello
- "hello" and a smile go a long way. (ay "hello" at the !eginning of your re#uest. "Hello. $I'd like% a travel card, please." In more formal situations, you can say "5ood morning", "5ood afternoon" or "5ood evening". $Pemem!er, we only say "5ood night" if we're saying "5ood !ye" at the end of the day.% "5ood evening. 'e've !ooked a ta!le for four."

)emem&er =please= and =thank you=

"=lease" normally goes at the end of the sentence9 "Two tickets please." "4an you give me directions to 3xford (treet, please." (ay "thank you" after you have received something9 "Here's your change." "Thank you."
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ou can use " es, please" or "2o, thank you" in response to a #uestion9 "'ould you like salad with your piMMa1" " es, please" or "2o, thank you."

Say =e- use me=

If you ask someone who is doing something else, remem!er to say "excuse me"9 "Excuse me, do yo have this dress in a smaller siMe1" $In a shop% "Excuse me, do you know where the nearest !ank is1" $3n the street%

Stru ture of an e-ample on"ersation

&. 4lerk greets you $5ood morning.% How can I help you1 'hat can I do for you1 *. ou ask for something Hello. I'd like some information a!out" 4an I have". Three stamps for Europe, please. /. 4lerk asks you a #uestion (ingle or return1 -ir,mail or surface mail1 :. ou answer 3h, er, single thanks. Cm, let me see. -ir,mail please. ?. 4lerk asks you if you need anything else 'ill that !e all1 $Is there% anything else1 B. ou answer
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-h, actually I'd also like" 2o, that's it thanks 6 thank you.

#ow to e-press sho k in English

It is sometimes difficult to say how you feel in unexpected situations, such as natural disasters, especially when you feel sad. Here's a list of some common expressions to help you express shock and dis!elief.

Sho k
I was shocked to hear" The news came as a complete shock. 'e're all in complete shock. Everyone's reeling from the shock of" It happened out of the !lue. 'ho could have predicted it1 I $Fust% can't get over ". 'e were completely taken a!ack !y" I was Fust stunned !y"

Dis&elief
I Fust can't !elieve" It's un!elieva!le. I 6 ou Fust can't imagine" 'ords can't descri!e" $how I feel a!out 6 the terri!le devastation etc% There's no way it could have happened.

Saying how &ad something is

It's so awful. It's terri!le 6 'hat terri!le news. It's a tragedy. It's a catastrophe $pronounced "ca , tas , tra , fee" with the stress on ", tas"% This is the worst thing that could have happened.

#ow to keep the on"ersation going

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'hat can you say when you want to encourage people to keep talking to you1 Try making a comment or asking a #uestion , it shows the other person you're interested in what they are saying. Here are some examples of what you can say9

%aking omments
"2o." , to show surprise. "I don't !elieve it." , to show surprise. "'ow." , to show admiration or surprise. "That's incredi!le 6 amaMing 6 un!elieva!le" , to show great interest in the su!Fect of conversation. "How awful 6 terri!le" , to show sympathy with someone else's !ad news.

Asking *uestions
"Peally1" , to show surprise. "-nd you1" , when someone asks you how you are. "7id you1" , can !e used to encourage someone to tell their story. 0or example, "I saw her last night", "7id you1" " es, she was with one of her friends, and she"."

#ow to make a &ooking in English

8aking a !ooking in English does not have to !e complicated. In fact, if you keep the information concise, you will find it easy.

Starting the on"ersation

I'd like to"..
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". !ook a dou!le room $for two nights from 8onday * -ugust to"% ". !ook a ta!le $for two at E pm tomorrow night% ". !ook a flight $from <ondon to =aris on Tuesday &+ 2ovem!er% ". !ook seats $tonight for "=hantom of the 3pera"% ou can also reser"e a room, a ta!le or seats.

)esponding to *uestions
How many people is the !ooking for1 " It's for two people. How would you like to pay1 " 4an I pay !y credit card1 4an you spell your surname1 " es, it's @ , P , 3 , ' , 2. 4an you give me your credit card num!er and expiry date1 " es, it's "".

Tra"el &ookings
'hat time do you want to leave 6 arrive 6 check,out1 " I'd like to arrive in <ondon !y B pm. 'ould you like to take advantage of our special insurance 6 extra facilities1 " 2o thank you 6 4ould you give me extra information1

Asking for more information

7oes this price include all taxes1 $for hotels and flights% Is there a !ooking fee1 $for flights, theatre tickets% How much is the !aggage allowance1 $for flights%
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4ould you confirm my !ooking1 'hat time should I arrive1 $for theatres, restaurants% 'hat time do I have to check in 6 do I have to check out1 $for flights, hotels% Is there an ensuite !athroom1 $for hotels%

Speaking tips
Pemem!er the essential information9 , how many nights $at a hotel% , how many people $at a restaurant or the theatre% , what time $for a flight or at a restaurant% , how much does it cost $for a flight, theatre tickets or a hotel room% Pesearch the voca!ulary you need !efore you make a call9 , what type of theatre seat you need , what type of hotel room you want , where you want to sit on the plane Pemem!er to pronounce num!ers and letters clearly. 'hen you spell something or give a num!er, speak slowly and emphasise the important information.

#ow to respond appropriately in spe ial situations

4ertain situations need special voca!ulary"

Congratulations>
ou can say Congratulations in many circumstances, such as for weddings, promotions, passing exams, or to the parents and family of a new !a!y.

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'ell done>
ou can say this to someone who has passed an exam or achieved something difficult like a promotion.

8irthdays
The most usual ways of referring to someone's !irthday are !y saying #appy 8irthday> or more formally, %any happy returns> 4ultural note9 (ome !irthdays are more special than others in @ritain. our &Gth !irthday is special as you then !ecome an official adult. In the past, *& was the age of adulthood, and some people still cele!rate it in a special way !y giving silver keys, which represent the key to the door.

8efore an e-am or something diffi ult

'ish someone good luck !efore something difficult, !y saying Good lu k> @ut if people are superstitious and !elieve that saying "5ood luck" will have the opposite effect, you could also hear 8reak a leg> If someone has failed at something, you can say 8ad lu k>

Toasting
-t parties and gatherings, you might !e asked to drink a toast to cele!rate a happy event. #ere's to ( :et's drink to( :adies and Gentlemen+ =The 8ride and Groom=? Please raise your glasses to(

'riting to someone who has passed an e-am

If you are writing a card or a letter to someone who has passed an exam, you can use the following expressions9
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'ell done> It's a fantasti result? Congratulations on passing> 6ou deser"e it after so mu h hard work? 'riting wedding ards Here are a couple of standard phrases to write on wedding cards9 Congratulations> 'ishing you many happy years together? 'ishing you the &est of lu k in your future together?

'riting in sad situations

In difficult situations you can write I was so sorry to hear that (? If you are writing to the relatives of someone who has died, you can also write I was deeply saddened to hear( or Please a ept my deepest ondolen es on the death of( $ ou can replace "I" with "'e", such as "'e were very sad to hear that""%

#ow to say what's important

(ometimes you need to say how important things are to you. These are all common ways of telling someone what your priorities are.

In a .o& inter"iew
"The most important thing for me is that the Fo! is challenging." "'hat's really important to me is !eing a!le to learn something new." "The most crucial thing for me is to !e valued !y my colleagues." "The most vital thing is knowing that I am doing a good Fo!."
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"'hat really motivates me is learning a!out new ways of doing something." "I'm extremely interested in learning more a!out the market." "In terms of priorities, I am most interested in getting results. In addition, I would like to develop my marketing skills." "-s far as my priorities go, getting results is the most important." "-t the top of my list of priorities is feeling appreciated." "The least important thing is salary."

#ow to talk a&out illness

(ometimes you don't feel very well, !ut you're not really ill. Here are some common expressions that you can use to descri!e general "aches and pains" and some useful "sympathetic" responses.

General a hes and pains

"I feel a !it under the weather." "I'm not feeling very well." "I think I'm going down with a cold. I've got a sore throat." "I've got a slight headache." $3r toothache6stomach ache6!ackache% =ronounced "ake" as in "cake". "I'm not sleeping very well at the moment." "I feel a little faint." "I've got a nagging pain in my shoulder." $nagging L a pain that won't go away% "I've got a splitting headache , I hope it's not a migraine."

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Sympatheti responses
"I'm sorry to hear that." " ou don't look very well." " ou look a little pale." "8ay!e you're going down with something. There's a !ug going around." "8ay!e you should go home and get some rest." "'hy don't you go home and have a lie,down."

%ild illness
"I have a !it of a stomach !ug." "I think I've got a !it of a temperature." "I have a touch of flu." $0lu L influenMa% "I've got a nasty cough." $pronounced "coff"%

:earn English with tele"ision

Television is great for learning English. The pictures make it easier to understand than radio and !ecause you can see who's talking, you get a !etter idea of what people mean. >ust watch their "!ody language". 'atch programmes that you find enFoya!le and entertaining , whatever you watch will help you to improve your English. Here's the en*lish7home guide to learning as much as possi!le while watching English television9 9nly wat h programmes you find interesting. <earning English should !e fun , not something you have to force yourself to do. If you have a passion for foot!all, watch matches or the sports news.

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@eep a note&ook near to your television, so that you can Fot down any new words or expressions that you hear. This is especially useful if the programme you are watching has !een su!titled into your language. Try to wat h English tele"ision regularly. Even if you can only watch &? minutes a day, you'll !e amaMed how much you learn. Don't worry if you don't understand e"erything , English television is normally aimed at native English language speakers. =rogrammes often include difficult words and expressions. If the programme you're watching is full of unknown words, Fust concentrate on understanding the general meaning. E"en artoons and hildren's programmes are useful when learning English and #uiM shows are useful for learning how to ask and answer #uestions in English. @eep a note of television programmes and presenters that you find easy to understand and try to watch them regularly. 7oing this will increase your confidence and give you a sense of achievement.

%aking appointments
Cseful phrases for making and changing appointments.

Asking to meet
"-re you availa!le on the &Dth1" "4an we meet on the &Bth1" "How does the /rd sound to you1" "-re you free next week1" "'ould 0riday suit you1" "Is next Tuesday convenient for you1" "'hat a!out sometime next week1"
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Agreeing on a date
" es, Thursday is fine." "Thursday suits me." "Thursday would !e perfect."

Suggesting a different date

"I'm afraid I can't on the /rd. 'hat a!out the Bth1" "I'm sorry, I won't !e a!le to make it on 8onday. 4ould we meet on Tuesday instead1" "-h, 'ednesday is going to !e a little difficult. I'd much prefer 0riday, if that's alright with you." "I really don't think I can on the &Dth. 4an we meet up on the &Eth1"

Setting a time
"'hat sort of time would suit you1" "Is /pm a good time for you1" "If possi!le, I'd like to meet in the morning." "How does *pm sound to you1"

Changing the arrangement

" ou know we were going to meet next 0riday1 'ell, I'm very sorry, !ut something urgent has come up." "I'm afraid that I'm not going to !e a!le to meet you after all. 4an we fix another time1" "(omething has Fust cropped up and I won't !e a!le to meet you this afternoon. 4an we make another time1"

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