Questions tagged [conversation]
The conversation tag has no usage guidance.
102
questions
5
votes
5answers
788 views
Is it alright to say good afternoon Sirs and Madams in a panel interview?
I will be attending a panel interview (with two men and two women). I don't know their names. I want to be more polite, but I am not sure whether it is alright to say
Good afternoon, sirs and ...
-1
votes
1answer
20 views
What to say if someone is blocking your way
If you want to go into a subway entrance, but someone is blocking your way, what should you say?
0
votes
0answers
32 views
About “dark l” sound in daily conversation
Could you please tell me that if you really make the dark l sound in words like “call” “wall” “fall” or “hole” in daily conversation, like you can feel the movement of your tongue, or just do it when ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
how do I ask “are you Jason?” on the phone?
very simple question but I can't find the answer directly on google search.
Is this Jason?
Am I talking to Jason?
Are you happen to be Jason?
5
votes
1answer
53 views
“Let's talk math/geography…” meaning
I was reading this article (linked below the sentence) when I came across this:
First, let’s talk geography.
-- Smithsonian Magazine
I could get what it means but the grammar behind it is ...
-1
votes
1answer
24 views
You can say it again or why not?
I'm confused about this dialog I extract from my exam.
A:Honey,let's eat out tonight. What do you think?
B:_____________ I don't feel like cooking anyway.
A:Perfect.
1.Not again!
2.You can say ...
1
vote
2answers
60 views
How do I politely tell someone to leave a room?
For example, I'm talking to A and B in a meeting room, and then I want to talk with B and don't want A to listen. How do I politely ask A to leave the room?
2
votes
2answers
35 views
Can I reply “I am good” to imply “ no, thanks” when the context is not about eating or drinking?
Today someone offered me to join them for a card game, but I was heading out for something. I turned and said
"I am good, thanks"
and left them because I was in such a hurry that I had to leave ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views
“Me either” or “Me too” - what's the correct reply?
My friend, she texted me ' I"m just glad no cougar or bear approached you.'
And I said ' Yeah, Me either'
I mean 'Me too'
Is this correct reply..?
1
vote
1answer
45 views
How do I politely ask people to go away so that I can have a private conversation with someone?
Today I was walking with my colleagues to a restaurant, but on the way I met a friend, whom I wanted to have a small chat with. I wanted to ask my colleagues to go away and then I would catch up with ...
1
vote
3answers
71 views
Why “Your father just told me” would not be “Your father told me” without “just”
In Oscar a 1991 American slapstick crime comedy film directed by John Landis, I heard: "Your father just told me".
Here answer was: native speaker often omit, here it is "has" Your father has just ...
1
vote
1answer
31 views
Asking for clarification - “in relation to”?
I wonder what would be the right phrase to use, once you encounter someone else's statement, which you can't see what it has to do with the conversation.
For example:
Jake: I think he will win the ...
3
votes
2answers
113 views
Fear of talking with native English speakers - how to overcome it [closed]
I'm Japanese and I can speak English decently well. When I talk with non native speakers, my grammar is 95% accurate I would say, but when it comes to talking with the native speakers, I don't know ...
2
votes
2answers
119 views
Reply to “I'm going to the dentist”
Would it be appropriate to reply to someone saying "I'm going to the dentist" with "Good Luck"? I think it's slightly odd...
What would be a natural reply for that?
Thanks in advance. :)
0
votes
1answer
887 views
How do I reply “How about you today?”? [closed]
Every morning at the daily standup, our manager would ask everyone this question.
Everyone would reply "I'm fine.", "I'm good." ...
Can I reply something difference?
For example, today, I got a ...
3
votes
1answer
215 views
I'm fluent in English, but I can't understand names of people and places
Ok, this is a tough one to put into words, so bear with me for a moment please. It is actually the first time I'm writing this down, and it is very difficult to explain. Long story short, I've been ...
0
votes
1answer
56 views
Is there a more well-fit work than “wide” and “concrete” in this context?
When I receive a call from a recruiter or such (e.g. a seller etc.) they usually start by presenting themselves and thereafter glide into asking me questions. I've concluded that those can be split up ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
Please explain why “would” is used in the following sentences? [closed]
Please explain why "would" is used in the following sentences (it's shown in its contracted form).
Situation 1.
A: We have a special course that focuses on healthy food.
B: I don't think I'd ...
0
votes
2answers
313 views
“when I’m 100% confirm what to study” or “when I'm 100% confirmed what to study”
I’ll tell you when I’m 100% confirm what to study
Or:
I’ll tell you when I'm 100% confirmed what to study
Which one is correct?
0
votes
1answer
109 views
What does “you took long mate” means? [closed]
In SMS messages:
You took long mate
Abit too much
What does “you took long mate” “abit too much” mean?
0
votes
1answer
72 views
When we want to add an example just to be clearer, what kinds of sentences should we use?
This is the original text:
Each cardiac muscle fiber contains a single nucleus and is striated, or striped, because it appears to have light and dark bands when seen through a microscope.
Suppose, ...
0
votes
2answers
51 views
Usage of “Trying” in a sentence to declare an attempt + will
I was going to move to a new house and I told my colleague that "during the weekend, I was trying to move to my new place", he responded by saying "trying? So are you moving or not?". Both of us are ...
7
votes
4answers
16k views
I have never been here or I have never been there, which is more natural?
A friend of mine invited me to visit her.
She was afraid that I would get lost, so she said she would be waiting for me at the bus station.
When we finally met at the bus station, I said,
"Sorry ...
1
vote
1answer
99 views
How to ask for an item that is behind the shop window?
You are just passing by a shop and an item catches your eye. You want to ask the shopkeeper about that item. What do you say? is "in the window" an appropriate phrase for that?
Could you show me ...
0
votes
1answer
370 views
How to answer when someone ask to choose a day?
Example:
question: Can you send me options [......]?
Should I answer:
Date [xx] - Monday or Wednesday at xx works for me. Would that work for you?
Is this a nice way to answer and is it formal?
0
votes
3answers
209 views
Do native speakers say 'get on' instead of 'continue'?
Today I was talking about something important with our manager, but then another guy came and interrupted our conversation. As soon as that guy finished talking and went away, I said 'Let's continue' ...
65
votes
8answers
17k views
Why do native speakers say 'Come on in' rather than 'Come in'?
Today I passed by a restaurant and got attracted to its menu sticking on the window, so I stopped and had a look at it. Then a staff standing at the gate said to me,'We have nice food. Come on in!' I ...
2
votes
2answers
531 views
How to say that some amount of money equals the demanded amount?
My question relates to this: How to say "pay exact amount of money"
Now my question is from the payers point of view, not the payee.
During my latest trip I literally said to the the ...
0
votes
2answers
534 views
How to tell “that I am not against/countering your opinion” politely? [closed]
The one situation that happens most of the time, when I converse with my Boss was that When he misunderstands some point and talks from that view and if I want to correct him, He mistakes me that I am ...
-2
votes
2answers
83 views
Can I use V and W sound interchangeably sometimes?
I understand the difference between v and w, but when speaking I have difficulty in using the proper v and w sound. And I don’t see any significant differences when I mix v and w sound in speaking.
...
0
votes
1answer
53 views
Different ways to ask somebody to wait
Are there differences in meaning (and possibly context) of the following three ways to ask somebody to wait? Or is one of these options even ungrammatical?
1 I'm going to ...
I'm just going to ...
1
vote
1answer
501 views
What to say when running into someone?
Well, I am an Asian who study English as a second language. My question arose because I wanted to translate from my own language. Suppose that I am pondering while walking on the street that I want to ...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
“Wow, I've never seen such a nice cell phone, Mary”. Is it naturally for Mary to say: “I agree with you”?
This question is based on the exercise in my English textbook:
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the most suitable response to complete each of the following exchanges. ...
1
vote
1answer
202 views
Does this conversation sound natural?
1)
A: We went fishing at a pond last night.
B: oh have you? I tried it before.
I think 'have you' doesn't sound correct because the former sentence is told in the past tense. But I'd like to ...
0
votes
1answer
56 views
Simply using past participle. Is it right?
I was having a conversation with one of my friends.
And then he started talking about someone I didn't want to talk about.
So I said, "Forget him".
He replied, "Forgotten".
Huh? Like really what does ...
3
votes
1answer
146 views
Few perfume questions
Imagine a following situation.
Mike and Natalie share same preferences in perfume. They both like
sweet, clean and soft aroma/scent.
Two other people - Kate and Jane - are talking about ...
2
votes
0answers
45 views
Do word contractions and brief sentences make for a more conversational speech? [closed]
I'm currently studying what makes a sentence sound/ read conversational to native English speakers. Do word contractions and brief sentences make them so?
Please consider the dialogues below. Are both ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
Saying “You'll feel me on this”
So, recently, I saw someone commenting, "You'll feel me on this" on a certain post. Since I'm not really familiar with phrases that are more informal (even regarded as slang) in English, I wanted to ...
21
votes
8answers
10k views
How do I invite a friend “on my expense”?
I ask my friend to come over to my place and I want him to eat pizza on my expense. Is it correct to say like this:
Come over to my place bro! I will eat you a pizza.
or
Come over to my home ...
0
votes
2answers
9k views
Speak with you later
As far as I know, it is not common. However, I heard saying "speak with you later" instead of "talk to you later or bye" sounds rather formal and suits business conversations? Is it correct?
1
vote
2answers
765 views
better word for “feed him”
What would be a good substitute word for the term "feed him"? Suppose you have a new employee in your office who happens to be from your own village (or the place you grew up in). Your another ...
1
vote
2answers
4k views
What to say when somebody says “silly me”
I wonder if there is casual reaction when somebody says "silly me"?
For example somebody forgets his phone on a table when he left a office room and realized soon he did not take his phone with him. ...
2
votes
3answers
892 views
“Excuse me, which is the way to the post office?” “Sorry, I'm new here. Bad luck”. Is this conversation weird?
The question below is from my English exercise book.
Select the most suitable response to fill in the blank.
"Excuse me, which is the way to the post office?"
"Sorry, I'm new here. _______" ...
0
votes
1answer
421 views
Informal way of saying some time expressions
I was wondering what the informal equivalent for the following expressions are:
A matter of time
It is a matter of time, before somebody find it
As time goes by
As time goes by, he found that ...
4
votes
1answer
80 views
How do I decide between the prepositions “in” and “on”?
I'm wondering about and still confused over when to use on and in, for example like the sentence below:
"I like to sunbathe in the sun." In my study I figured out that when using in you the thing ...
-1
votes
1answer
54 views
How to differentiate the different possible meanings of “Supporting” a team
Is there not a better, word for "support", when referring to "supporting a team". One sure must be able to differentiate between, supporting financially, supporting the causes the team stands for ...
1
vote
1answer
338 views
Which response is more appropriate?
If I encountered a friend in a meeting and he said:"I thought you said you couldn't come to the meeting." Can I response him(1) "Oh, no I can." Or I should say(2) "Oh, yes I can"
I thought what my ...
10
votes
3answers
3k views
“you know” in conversational language
I noted that in conversational language and slang, English native speakers often use "you know". Should this phrase be understood as a question "do you understand what I'm trying to say?" or as an ...
0
votes
1answer
129 views
How to respond to a manager if he said he is very busy and hoped he can finish work before 5?
I am not a native speaker. And I came across this situation: I came to my manager's office and reported to him about my recent work. At the end, he received an email and said something needs to be ...
5
votes
3answers
21k views
Sorry, I didn't recognize “you”, or “your voice”?
Someone calls you on the phone, but you don't know who they are. The conversation goes like:
Caller: "GIBBERISH... GIBBERISH... GIBBERISH..."
You: "Um.. Who am I speaking with, please?"
Caller: "...
