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BBC Learning English

How to

Tell someone about funny incidentsNeil: Hello, welcome to How to with me, Neil Edgeller. In this

programme well take a look at how to tell friends, or people you knowquite well, about funny or unexpected things which have happened to

you. Perhaps you saw someone famous, or bumped into someone youhavent seen for years. How do you introduce the topic to your friends?

How do you tell the story, and how do you finish it? Listen and find out

more in this weeks How to

Neil: Its a Monday morning at BBC Learning English and everyones talking

about the weekend. And some very funny things happened. Funny here

means unusual. First of all, listen to Jackie. What happened to her?Insert

A really funny thing happened to me the other day when I was out with a friend. We

were in a restaurant in London and suddenly I saw that she was just staring at something

on the other side of the room with her mouth wide open and it turned out that Michael

Jackson was sitting there and it was really unexpected, just a really odd experience to

see this really famous person.Neil: Jackie went to a restaurant with a friend and Michael Jackson was in the

same room, which is, of course, a very strange and unusual situation.How did she start telling the story? She says, A really funny thing

happened to me the other day.Insert

A really funny thing happened to me the other day when I was out with a friend.

How to BBC Learning English 2007

Tell someone about funny incidents Page 2 of 4

bbclearningenglish.com

Neil: This is a good way of introducing funny or unusual events to a friend or

colleague you know quite well. Its for informal situations. After she

introduces it, she can then tell the story. At the end, she comments on thestory.

Insert

it was really unexpected, just a really odd experience to see this really famous person.Neil: She says, it was really unexpected, just a really odd experience

Odd is another word meaning strange or unusual. Its typical with this

type of story to end with a comment which tells us how you felt. Heres

the whole thing again.

Insert

A really funny thing happened to me the other day when I was out with a friend. We

were in a restaurant in London and suddenly I saw that she was just staring at something

on the other side of the room with her mouth wide open and it turned out that Michael

Jackson was sitting there and it was really unexpected, just a really odd experience to

see this really famous person.Neil:Next I spoke to William. Something very funny happened to him over

the weekend too.

InsertSomething very, very strange and unexpected happened. I was going to the park with

my little niece. When we got there, there were about I dont know, about two hundredor more clowns, and they were all on bikes or unicycles or whatever and I had my little

niece with me and she went absolutely crazy. She doesnt like clowns.Neil: He took his niece to his local park and there were about two hundred

clowns riding bikes and unicycles. A unicycles a bicycle with only one

wheel. How does he introduce the story? He says, Something very

strange and unexpected happened.Insert


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Something very, very strange and unexpected happened.Neil: And after that he tells the story. And, just like Jackie, he finishes with a

comment which tells us how it ended and what the feeling was.


Tell someone about funny incidents Page 3 of 4bbclearningenglish.com

Insert

I had my little niece with me and she went absolutely crazy. She doesnt like clowns.Neil: His niece went crazy because she doesnt like clowns. Now listen to it all

again.

Insert

Something very, very strange and unexpected happened. I was going to the park with

my little niece. When we got there, there were about I dont know, about two hundredor more clowns, and they were all on bikes or unicycles or whatever and I had my little

niece with me and she went absolutely crazy. She doesnt like clowns.Neil: Lastly, heres Catherine. Something funnys just happened to her as well.Insert

Youll never guess whats just happened to me. Listen to this, right. Ive just gone to get

a sandwich and on my way back this woman came up to me and she said, I cant

believe its you! Can I have your autograph? Can you believe it?

Neil: She left the office to buy a sandwich and outside the BBC building,someone asked her for an autograph. They thought she was a famous

person. Listen to how she introduces this story. She says, Youll neverguess whats just happened to me. Listen to this, right.

Insert

Youll never guess whats just happened to me. Listen to this, right.Neil: After that, she tells the story and then ends with a comment, this time,

Can you believe it? This shows that shes really surprised about what

happened.Insert

Can you believe it?Neil:Now heres Catherine again.


Tell someone about funny incidents Page 4 of 4bbclearningenglish.comInsert

Youll never guess whats just happened to me. Listen to this, right. Ive just gone to get

a sandwich and on my way back this woman came up to me and she said, I cant

believe its you! Can I have your autograph? Can you believe it?Neil: To recap. If you want to tell a friend about something funny or surprising

thats happened to you, you can introduce it like this:Insert

A really funny thing happened to me the other day.

Youll never guess whats just happened to me.

Something very, very strange and unexpected happened.Neil: You then tell the story and end by adding a comment:

InsertIt was really unexpected, just a really odd experience.

She went absolutely crazy.Can you believe it?

Neil: Thats all for this How to Next time you have dinner with Michael

Jackson, youll know how to tell your friends.BBC Learning English

How to

Making an appointment



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Making an appointment Page 1 of 4


Yvonne: Hello, this is "How to" from bbclearningenglish.com and I'm Yvonne

Archer. In today's programme how to make an appointment in English!

Coming upsome key words and phrases that are useful - whether we need tosee a doctor, a dentist, a hairdresser, a lawyer or even a plumber. Listen out for

the phrase Hina uses to make a doctor's appointmentHina makes a doctor's appointment

RECEPTIONIST: Bushy Hill Surgery?

HINA: Hello, I'd like to book an appointment please.

RECEPTIONIST: Right, we have Thursday morning at 10 or Friday afternoon at 3pm.

HINA: Thursday morning suits me and I'd prefer to see a lady doctor, if that's possible.

Yvonne: Hina said "I'd like to book" "I would like to book" and then adds "anappointment, please" - "I'd like to book an appointment, please." Let's hear that

again, but this time, listen out for Hina's special request once she's agreed the

day and time for her appointment. It shows that she thought about what she

needed before she made her phone callFatima makes a doctor's appointment

RECEPTIONIST: Bushy Hill Surgery?

HINA: Hello, I'd like to book an appointment please.

RECEPTIONIST: Right, we have Thursday morning at 10 or Friday afternoon at 3pm.HINA: Thursday morning suits me and I'd prefer to see a lady doctor, if that's possible.

Yvonne: Hina decided that she wanted to see a female or a woman doctor, so she said:"I'd prefer to see a lady doctor, if that's possible."



bbclearningenglish.comHina makes a doctor's appointment

HINA: Thursday morning suits me and I'd prefer to see a lady doctor, if that's possible.Yvonne: Like the word 'please', adding "if that's possible" is also a simple and polite

way to soften a request and that probably encourages the receptionist or theperson we're booking an appointment with to be even more helpful!

IDENT

Yvonne:Next, Finn has a terrible toothache and wants to make an appointment with thedentist. Again, we hear the same key phrase plus 'an appointment' being used.

But what special request does Finn have and how does he make it sound polite?

Finn makes a dental appointment

RECEPTIONIST: Good morning, Northern Dental Surgery.

FINN: Oh hello there, I've got a toothache and I'd like to book an appointment to see thedentist today, if you can.

RECEPTIONIST: Hmmm we're kind of booked up today oh, actually, we could

squeeze you in at 5.Yvonne: Finn adds "if you can" rather than 'if possible' to his special request so that he

sounds polite when asking for an urgent appointment he wants to see the

dentist at very short notice. Both phrases 'if possible' and 'if you can' have the

same meaning and do the same job so you can use either!

But back to our key phrase "I'd like to book" This time, "an appointment"plus the infinitive of a verb - "to see" - plus the job title of the person he

wants to see 'the dentist' are all added. Listen againFinn makes a dentist's appointment

FINN: I'd like to book an appointment to see the dentist today, if you can.




Yvonne: So it's simple enough to make our key phrase longer when we want to add

extra information. Finn didn't know the dentist's name, but if you do know the


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name of the person you want to see, you can simply add the preposition 'with'

plus their name to our key phrase. For example, "I'd like to book an

appointment with Steve". And if you only know the person's job title, you can

say, for example: "I'd like to book an appointment with the plumberplease".

Here's Finn again as he tries to make another appointment; which noun does headd to the key phrase "I'd like to book"?

Finn makes an appointment with his hairdresser

RECEPTIONIST: Good morning, "A Cut Above"

FINN: Oh, hello there. I'd like to book a haircut for today please.Yvonne: Finn wants 'a haircut' so he simply says: "I'd like to booka haircut"- and of

course, he adds 'please'Finn makes an appointment with his hairdresser

RECEPTIONIST: Good morning, "A Cut Above"FINN: Oh, hello there. I'd like to book a haircut for today please.

Yvonne: So to recap - we can book something, like a service for our car or a haircutFinn makes an appointment with his hairdresser

FINN: Oh, hello there. I'd like to booka haircut for today please.

Yvonne: But we book an appointment to see someone, like a doctor or a specific named

personFinn makes a dental appointment

How to BBC Learning English 2007Making an appointment Page 4 of 4

bbclearningenglish.comFINN: I'd like to bookan appointment to see the dentist today, if you can.

Yvonne: Well, that's all for today's "How to", but why not visit us at

bbclearningenglish.com for more on how to make an appointment plus test

what you've learned with our quizzes, games and other programmes?BBC Learning English

How to

Making an appointment

How to BBC Learning English 2007Making an appointment Page 1 of 1


USEFUL TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENTMaking an appointment in English might seem more difficult than it really is. So here are a

couple of helpful things we can do and think about before we speak to the receptionist the

person who usually organises appointmentsTIP #1 - Jo

You're not going to understand everything that a native speaker says to you at all times. Butdon't worry and don't be afraid to tell them that you haven't understood. Don't be scared; the

most important thing is that you make your appointment and achieve what you want to

achieve.

As Jo says, it's perfectly okay to ask the receptionist to repeat anything that you don't

understand. And if you're speaking in English on the telephone, it's easy to forget what you

want to say because you get nervous. Here's what John does so that he doesn't forget anything

in this case, when making an appointment with his mechanic:

TIP #2 - JohnWhen I want my car serviced, before I even make an appointment, I make a list of all the

things I want checked and all the things I know that need repairing.Like John, if you write down everything you want to say in English before making your

appointment, you won't have to worry about forgetting anything!BBC Learning English

How to

make an appointment

Quiz



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make an appointmentPage 1 of 3


For each question choose the one correct answer.1:____________ an appointment.

a: I'd like bookb: I like to book

c:I'd like to book2: I've got a terrible toothache; Id like to see the dentist _____________.

a: nowb: today, if possible

c: right away3: Id like to book _______________ please.

a: a haircutb: a haircutter

c: haircut4: I'd like to book _____________ the plumber, please.a: to appointb: withc: an appointment with5: I'd like to book an appointment __________________Dr Lee please.

a: to seeb: to hear

c: to meet6: Hello, my car needs a service. Is Steve available to do it ______ Thursday?

a: inb: onc: at


make an appointmentPage 2 of 3


ANSWERS

For each question choose the one correct answer.

1:______________________ an appointment.

a: I'd like bookWrong you need to use the infinitive of one of the verbs here.b: I like to book

Wrong you need an extra word here.c: I'd like to book

Correct this is a simple way to book an appointment.2: I've got a terrible toothache; Id like to see the dentist _____________.

a: now

Wrong this request isn't polite.b: today, if possible

Correct This is a good way to make a polite request for an appointment at short notice.c: right away

Wrong this request isn't polite.

3: Id like to book _______________ please.

a: a haircutCorrect This is a clear and simple way to make an appointment.

b: a haircutter

Wrong There's no such noun; someone who cuts our hair is 'a hairdresser' or 'a barber'.c: haircut

Wrong you need a determiner before the noun.

4: I'd like to book _____________ the plumber, please.a: to appoint


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Wrong we tend to use appoint' when we talk about formally giving someone a job or a

position.

b: with

Wrong you need some extra words here.

c: an appointment withCorrect You can use this phrase before a job title or a proper noun.

How to BBC Learning English 2007make an appointmentPage 3 of 3

bbclearningenglish.com5: Hello, I've got a terrible cough, so I'd like to book __________________Dr Lee, please.

a: an appointment to see

Correct This is the right verb to use!

b: an appointment to hearWrong is this the correct verb to use here?

c: an appointment to meet

Wrong is this the correct verb to use here?6: Hello, my car needs a service. Is Steve available to do it ______ Thursday?a: in

Wrong we would use this preposition before a block of time, e.g." in a week's time". Try

again!

b: onCorrect this is the correct preposition!

c: atWrong we would use this preposition before a specific time, e.g. "at 3 pm". Try again!


How to

Asking for and giving directions

Listening activity


Asking for and giving directions Page 1 of 2

bbclearningenglish.comListen to the directions and find which building on the map is the Post Office. You can find a

transcript and the answer on the next page.

How to BBC Learning English 2007Asking for and giving directions Page 2 of 2


Transcript:

A: Hello, excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the nearest Post Office?

B: Erm, yea, sure you go straight up this street. Take the second turn on the right. Keepgoing along there, across one junction, and its right there on your left.

A: ThanksB: Oh, no, hang on, wait a minute, theres a closer one. Walk up this street, take the first left

and theres a Post Office on your right at the next junction, sorry, I forgot about that one.A: Thanks againAnswer:

There are two Post Offices. One is building F but the nearest is building N.



bbclearningenglish.comANSWERS

1: If you go up to the fifth floor, you'll find his office ____ your right as you come outthe elevator.

a: on

2: Go to the end of the road and ____ left by the traffic lights.b: turn


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3:_____ a right just after the supermarket.b: Take

4: You ____ his house, it's painted bright pink!b: cant miss

5: Go ____ up to the end of the road.a: straight


How to

Asking for and giving directions




Jackie: Hello, welcome to BBC Learning English dot com. I'm Jackie Dalton. Today'sprogramme is all about giving and understanding directions. Our reporter

Helen is new to London and has been out asking people for directions to

various different places. We'll take a look at some of the key phrases that come

up as she tries to find her way around. Let's start with a simple one.Examples

Can you tell me how to get to the nearest toilet, please?

To the nearest toilet? Yes, you just go down the stairs here, turn right and it's just on your

right.

Jackie:Nice and easy. 'Turn right' or 'turn left' a simple way of telling people in

which direction they should go. And if you want to describe the position of aparticular place in relation to the person you can say it's 'on your right', or 'on

your left'. Let's listen to that clip once more.Examples

Can you tell me how to get to the nearest toilet, please?

To the nearest toilet? Yes, you just go down the stairs here, turn right and it's just on your

right.

Jackie:Now listen out for a slightly different way of telling someone to turn left or

right.Examples

Can I ask you how to get to the nearest bus stop please?



Just go straight to the bottom there, just take a left turn, take a left turn and that's it, yeah,

it's just round the corner.

Jackie: That's another way of telling someone to go in a particular direction earlierwe heard the phrase 'turn right' or 'turn left', you could also say 'take a left' or

'take a left turn'.

A word that's already come up five times is 'just'. Listen to how it's used.Examples

Youjust go down the stairs here, turn right and it'sjust on your right.Just go straight to the bottom there,just take a left turn, take a left turn and that's it, yeah,

it'sjust round the corner.

Jackie: 'Just' is a sort of filler and a way of suggesting that what the person has to doisn't difficult: 'Just go down the stairs' somehow sounds easier than 'Go down

the stairs'. Listen again:Examples

Youjust go down the stairs here, turn right and it'sjust on your right.Just go straight to the bottom there,just take a left turn, take a left turn and that's it, yeah,

it'sjust round the corner.Jackie: One thing that can be confusing when it comes to directions is the use of the

word 'right'. Listen to this clip the word 'right' is used in three different ways.Examples


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Do you know how to get to Covent Garden?

Yeah, yeah, you just goat the end of the street, go left and then go right and take the second

right around the Aldwych theatre, go right up there, then go left and Covent Garden Market

will just be right in front you you just walk down


bbclearningenglish.comJackie: Let's break that down.Examples

go left and then go right

Jackie: simple enough 'go right' means the same as 'turn right' or 'take a right'. What

about here?

Examples

around the Aldwych theatre, go right up there

Jackie: 'Go right up there' could be interpreted in two different ways and even a native

English speaker could get confused here. The man could have meant 'turn

right', or he could have meant 'go all the way up there'. 'Go right up there' - 'go

all the way up there'. We say things like 'go right to the end of the road' to

mean 'go all the way to the end of the road' very different from taking a right

turn. A clue is often in the prepositions. If youre telling someone to turn, it

often comes with the preposition 'at'. For example, 'Go right at the main road'.Whereas the preposition 'up' 'Go right up the main road' tends to mean go

all the way up the main road. If you're not sure, just ask. So that's two differentuses of 'right'. What about the third?

Examples

and Covent Garden Market will just be right in front youJackie: 'Covent Garden will just be right in front of you'. He could also have said

'Covent Garden will be directly in front of you' or 'immediately in front of you'

it's not far away. 'Right in front of you' in this context means 'it's not far


Asking for and giving directions Page 4 of 5bbclearningenglish.com

away'. Lets listen to the next set of directions. Listen out for an expression in

this clip which means 'it's very easy to see'.Examples

I was wondering if I could ask you how to get to the nearest tube station?

Err, you could use Holborn tube station, which is straight down Oxford street, turn right and

keep going up Kingsway and you won't miss it, it's on the right.

Jackie: Did you spot the expression? 'You won't miss it' is a nice way of saying 'it'svery easy to see'. Now listen to the beginning of this sentence.

Examples

keep going up Kingsway and you won't miss it, it's on the right.Jackie: 'Keep going' is a good way of telling someone they will have to walk or drive

for a while before they get to a certain point.

Let's end with a couple of questions to check you've understood some of

today's language.

Which is correct: 'The building is at your right' or 'The building is on yourright'?

The second is correct we use the preposition 'on'. 'The building is on yourright.'

Which of these would be a correct way of telling someone to turn left: 'Take a

left' or 'Have a left'?

The first one is correct. 'Have a left' doesn't make sense 'Take a left' is fine.





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office. Listen to this first example, which shows one of the most common ways

of asking permission.

Examples

Hinna, can I use your computer for a minute?

Jackie: Very simple: the phrase 'can I' followed by the verb. But what verb formcomes after the phrase 'can I'? Listen to these two examples of asking.

Examples

Can he call you back later?

Can I use your scissors?Jackie: 'Can' is the base form of the verb, which is the infinitive without 'to. Now let's

listen to a slightly different way of asking permission.Examples

Oh Emily, I forgot to bring my phone charger today, could I borrow yours for a minute please?Jackie: Instead of 'can I borrow', we hear 'could I?' Using 'Could I?' instead of

'Can I?' sounds slightly more formal. You might use 'could' if you want to be

more polite. Like the word 'can', 'could' is always used with the base infinitive

form of the verb.


Asking permission Page 2 of 5


Examples

Could she write me a summary of the report?

Jackie: You may have spotted a phrase that came up at the end of a couple of thephrases we heard earlier.

Examples

Hinna, can I use your computer for a minute?

Oh Emily, I forgot to bring my phone charger today, could I borrow yours for a minute please?Jackie: Both speakers asked permission to do something 'for a minute'. They didn't

literally mean they would spend sixty seconds using the computer or

borrowing the phone charger. But it's a way of showing that you only want to

borrow something for a short time and you're trying not to bother the otherperson too much.

Examples

Hinna, can I use your computer for a minute?Oh Emily, I forgot to bring my phone charger today, could I borrow yours for a minute please?Jackie: We also heard the magic word 'please' at the end of that question. Parents often

get very cross with their children if they ask permission without using the word

'please'. But the reality is that it's often fine not to include it. We tend to use

intonation in our questions to sound polite, so we don't always need the extra'please'. Listen to these examples. The first doesn't sound very polite.

Examples

Could I have that. (demanding)



bbclearningenglish.comJackie: But the second

ExamplesCould I have that? (questioning)

Jackie: Sounds more like a polite question than an aggressive demand because of theway the voice goes up.

Examples

Could I have that. (demanding)

Could I have that? (questioning)Jackie: Listen to some more examples of the differences.

Examples

Could I see you.


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Could I see you?Jackie: The second phrase came across as a polite question, unlike the first. What

about here?Examples

Could you give that to me?Could you give that to me.

Jackie:This time, the first question was sounded more polite because of the way it wasasked. As long as you ask your question in a polite tone of voice, you need a

'please' having said that, there's never anything wrong with using 'please'

when asking permission.



bbclearningenglish.comJackie: Let's look at another structure for asking permission.

Examples

Matt, would it be OK if I took the afternoon off on Friday?Jackie: Would it be OK if fairly informal way of asking permission. You could also

say 'Would it be alright if?' What verb form follows these questions?Examples

Matt, would it be OK if I took the afternoon off on Friday?

I'm not feeling well today would it be alright if I did this tomorrow?Jackie: In both these cases, the phrases are followed by the past subjunctive form of

the verb. However, you could also use the present form this sounds slightlyless formal.

Examples

Matt, would it be OK if I take the afternoon off on Friday?

I'm not feeling well today would it be alright if I do this tomorrow?Jackie: So 'Would it be OK if? and 'Would it be alright if?' can be followed by the

present or, for a slightly more formal effect, the past subjunctive. If you want

to be even more polite, another variation on the structures we've just heard is

'Would I be able to?'Examples

Would I be able to talk to you about something?

How to BBC Learning English 2007Asking permission Page 5 of 5


Jackie: 'Would I be able to' a polite way of asking permission. Now it's time to check

you've understood the things we've looked at. Which of these requests is

correct the first or the second?Examples

Can she sits here?

Can she sit here?Jackie: The second phrase is correct remember 'Do you mind if?' is used with the

base infinitive verb form. Now, w hich of these two questions sounds the most

formal?Examples

Would I be able to talk to you about something?Is it OK if I leave early?

Jackie: The first question is more formal 'Would I be able to?' sounds more distantthan 'Is it OK if I? That's all for this week, but in a later programme

we'll be exploring some of the structures you can use to answer these questions.BBC Learning English

How to

respond to compliments


respond to compliments Page 1 of 4


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bbclearningenglish.comWilliam: Hello, and welcome toHow to our guide to the everyday language of life.

My names William Kremer. I take every opportunity to shock my colleagues

here at BBC Learning English dot com and earlier on I gave several of them a

big shock. I went around the office complimenting them.Why did I compliment them? Did they look good? Had they made programmes

that Id enjoyed? Well no, not really. I just wanted to see how they would reacthow they would respond - to my compliments.

I started off by approaching Carrie at the photocopier. How did she react when

I gave her a compliment?

William: Hello Carrie. Youre looking lovely todayCarrie: What are you after?

William: What do you mean, what am I after? Im just saying you look lovely. I likeyour purple T-shirt.

Carrie: Its just you dont ever normally give me compliments so you must be after

somethingWilliam: Well, I told you that my colleagues would be shocked by me paying them

compliments. When I told Carrie that I thought she looked lovely she said:

What are you after?William: Hello Carrie. Youre looking lovely today

Carrie: What are you after?How to BBC Learning English 2007

respond to compliments Page 2 of 4bbclearningenglish.com

William: What are you after? means What do you want?. Carrie thinks that I am

being nice to her because I want to ask her a favour. She said that I didnt

normally compliment her so I must be after something. What are you after?

is a humorous, and quite common response to an unexpected compliment. It is

sometimes said that the British dont know how to respond to compliments. So

after Carries rather disappointing answer, I thought Id try someone from

abroad, so I approached my colleague Khalid.William: Khalid!

Khalid: Hello!

William: Khalids busy. But I just wanted to say erm youre looking fantastic today.As always, actually! Youre so smart.Khalid: Oh thank you! What do you want?

William: Youre the second person thats said that! No, I dont want anything, I dont

need you to translate anything at all I just thought I I I thought you look

very smart.Khalid: Well thank you so much, thats very, very kind. I got my shirt from er Dubai

actually erm, very cheap shop in Dubai erm it didnt cost me a lot of

money but I think its nice, and you think its nice.William: Well, either I dont ever pay people compliments or my colleagues never

receive any! Khalid also asked me if I wanted anything if I was looking for a

favour. But then he said, Thank you so much, thats very kind.William: I just thought I I I thought you look very smart.

Khalid: Well thank you so much, thats very, very kind. I got my shirt from er Dubaiactually erm, very cheap shop in Dubai erm it didnt cost me a lot of

money but I think its nice, and you think its nice.How to BBC Learning English 2007


bbclearningenglish.comWilliam: After Khalid thanked me for the compliment, he went on to tell me about his

shirt specifically that it hadnt cost much money. In Britain this is quite a

common way of responding to compliments about clothes to say that actually

your clothes arent so special. We often say Ooh, it was only cheap or maybe


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Ive had it for ages. Youre not disagreeing with the compliment, but saying

this kind of thing shows that youre surprised by it.

Next, I complimented Callum Robertson on his programme Grammar

Challenge, and he replied using a standard phrase.

William: So, I listened to one of your grammar challenges the other day and erm Ithought it was fantastic

Callum:Ah well, its very nice of you to say so, thanksWilliam: Callum said Its very nice of you to say so

Callum: Ah well, its very nice of you to say so, thanksWilliam:Now, theres an important strategy that people use in reacting to compliments.

That is to return the compliment to give a compliment back to the person

who gave it to you! Listen to my conversation with Hina:

William:No, I I thought that Id, Id come over and compliment you on the wayyoure looking today because I think youre looking very smart

Hina: Thank you Will, thats very kind of you to say. Youre looking very smart and

tall as usual.William: Im tall! Yes I cant help, Im always looking tall, thats just the way I am!




William: Hina returned my compliment by saying that I was looking very tall. Normally,we dont say that people looktall, we say that they are tall thats why I told

Hina that Im always looking tall.Hina: Youre looking very smart and tall as usual.

William: Im tall! Yes I cant help, Im always looking tall, thats just the way I am!

I am actually a very tall person, and I get a lot of compliments about my height.

Old ladies are always saying to me Oh, youre lovely and tall. That sounds

very nice, but actually it gets pretty boring. And, it can be quite difficult for me

to return the compliment. It would be very strange for me to say Oh, thank

you very much. Youre lovely and short!

But, after someone compliments you, you always need to say something.Goodbye!


How to respond to compliments

Quiz


respond to compliments - QuizPage 1 of 3

bbclearningenglish.comFor each question choose the best answer.

1: A: Youre looking very smart today, Neil!

B: _______________a: Thats very kind of you to say sob: Thats very kind of you to say itc: Its all very well for you to say that2: A: Oh Anna, I love your dress!

B: ______________________a: Really? Why?

b: Really? It was only cheapc: Yes, its lovely isnt it?

3: A: Well done on getting that contract, Paul.

B: ______________________a: Thanks but it wasnt all my workb: Thanks but it was all my work

b: Thanks but it wasnt work4: A: You look very swish, Lizzy!


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B: ______________________a: Thanks very much! You do two!

b: Thanks very much! You do to!c: Thanks very much! You do too!

5: A: I like your shirt, Mark.B: ______________________

a:What are you doing after?b: What are you doing after me?

c: What are you after?




ANSWERS

1: A: Youre looking very smart today, Neil!

B: _______________a: Thats very kind of you to say so

Correct This is a standard way to receive a complimentb: Thats very kind of you to say it

Wrong How do we refer to something someone has just said?c: Its all very well for you to say that

Wrong This has a different meaning. You sound like you are going to disagree with theperson

2: A: Oh Anna, I love your dress!B: ______________________

a: Really? Why?

Wrong This is a slightly impolite way to receive a complimentb: Really? It was only cheap

Correct This is one way to show surprise at the compliment

c: Yes, its lovely isnt it?

Wrong You can say this, but its slightly unusual to agree with compliments

3: A: Well done on getting that contract, Paul.B: ______________________

a: Thanks but it wasnt all my work

Correct You are sharing responsibility for your successb: Thanks but it was all my work

Wrong You need to share responsibility for the success

c: Thanks but it wasnt work

Wrong You need to share responsibility for the success

4: A: You look very swish, Lizzy!B: ______________________

a: Thanks very much! You do two!

Wrong Check your spelling hereb: Thanks very much! You do to!

Wrong Check your spelling here



bbclearningenglish.comc: Thanks very much! You do too!

Correct This is an easy way to return a compliment5: A: I like your shirt, Mark.

B: ______________________a: What are you doing after?

Wrong This isnt the phrase you needb: What are you doing after me?

Wrong This isnt the phrase you needc: What are you after?


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Correct This is a humorous and common response in the UKBBC Learning English

How to make informal invitations

Quiz

How to BBC Learning English 2007make informal invitations Page 1 of 3

bbclearningenglish.comFor each question choose the one correct answer.1: Do you _______ a pint?a: feel

b: feel likec: like

2: Do you fancy a ________ ?a: museum

b: new housec: chocolate bar3: Are you ____ ____ a drink after work?a: up forb: up toc: up against

4: Are you up for _____ _____ a museum with me?a: go to

b: to go toc: going to

5: Q. Do you fancy going to a concert this weekend?

____________________________________a: Yes, Id love one!b: Yes, Id love to!

c: Yes, I fancy!6: Q. Are you up for another drink?

____________________________________a: That sounds

b: Sure, OK

c: I love one!How to BBC Learning English 2007

make informal invitations Page 2 of 3


For each question choose the one correct answer.1: Do you _______ a pint?

a: feel

Wrong - You need another word hereb: feel like

Correct This is one way to make an informal invitationc: like

Wrong Do you like a pint is a general question, not an invitation

2: Do you fancy a ________ ?a: museum

Wrong We use fancy to describe having something, but you cant have a museum!b: new house

Wrong We use fancy to describe wanting small things, not big expensive thingsc: chocolate bar

Correct This is the kind of object you might use this phrase for3: Are you ____ ____ a drink after work?

a: up for

Correct to be up for something means to want to do or try something


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b: up to

Wrong This is correct English, but it isnt an invitation. Up to means able to do

somethingc: up against

Wrong Up against means in opposition to4: Are you up for _____ _____ a museum with me?

a:go toWrong You need to use a gerund with up for when you are talking about activities

b: to go to

Wrong You need to use a gerund with up for, not an infinitive

c: going to

Correct This is a good way to invite someone to do an activity with you


bbclearningenglish.com5: Q. Do you fancy going to a concert this weekend?

____________________________________a: Yes, Id love one!

Wrong you use this to talk about objects, not activitiesb: Yes, Id love to!

Correct This is one way to agree to an activityc: Yes, I fancy!

Wrong you need an object here6: Q. Are you up for another drink?

____________________________________a: That sounds

Wrong You need an adjective here, e.g. That sounds niceb: Sure, thanks

Correct You can agree to informal invitations in this wayc: I love one!

Wrong This should be Id love oneBBC Learning English

How to make informal invitations



SIG

William: Hello and welcome toHow to the programme from BBC Learning English

that tells you well it tells you how to say things.TAG

My names William Kremer and over the next three weeks, Im going to be

telling you how to invite people to do things and say yes or no to other

peoples invitations.

And today were looking at informal invitations, and in particular, how to ask

someone whether he or she would like to go for a pint. If you live in the UK, or

have ever been to the UK, then you must know what I mean by a pint. I mean,

a glass of beer, usually served in a pub: a pint of beer. We also often say adrink to mean an alcoholic drink such as beer.

So, lets imagine that its five oclock on a Friday and youve had a hard weekand its time for a pint. Whats a good way of asking other people if theyd like

a drink too?

Well, in the next clip, Diarmuid is going to invite Catherine out for a pint. See

if you can hear what words Diarmuid uses to do this.Examples




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bbclearningenglish.comDiarmuid: Catherine, Im just going for a drink after work this evening do you fancy a

pint?Catherine: Ooh, Id love one.

William: Diarmuid asks, Do you fancy a pint? In British English, if you fancysomething, it means that right now you want to have it. For example, I fancy

an ice cream, I fancy a hamburger.Examples

Diarmuid: Catherine, Im just going for a drink after work this evening do you fancy a

pint?Catherine: Ooh, Id love one.

William: Catherine says that shed love a pint, so shes agreeing to go for a drink withDiarmuid. Now lets hear another way of inviting someone out for a pint:

Examples

Diarmuid: Are you up for a pint after work Catherine?William: Diarmuid asked Catherine if she was up for a pint.Examples

Diarmuid: Are you up for a pint after work Catherine?William: If someone is up for something, it often means that he or she would like to do

something or try something. This is a common expression in spoken English.Examples

Diarmuid: Are you up for a pint after work Catherine?How to BBC Learning English 2007


bbclearningenglish.comWilliam: OK, lets look at a third way of inviting someone out for a pint.Examples

Diarmuid: Do you feel like a pint, Catherine?William: In this situation, if you feel like something, you fancy it. And so the question

for Diarmuid is, Do you feel like a pint?Examples

Diarmuid: Do you feel like a pint, Catherine?

MUSIC and STINGWilliam:Now, see if you can hear a difference between the following sentences:Examples

Diarmuid: Do you feel like a pint, Catherine?Diarmuid: Do you feel like going for a pint, Catherine?

William: Well, the second sentence features a gerund going. We can use gerunds totalk about activities instead of objects. The activity were talking about here is

going for a pint. Listen again.Diarmuid: Do you feel like going for a pint, Catherine?William: In this situation, Diarmuid can choose whether to talk about the pint itself -

Do you feel like a pint - or the activity of going for a pint Do you feel like

going for a pint? But, sometimes we dont have a choice. For example, we

cant say Do you feel like a museum? because you cant buy a museum! So

we would have to say Do you feel like going to a museum with me?How to BBC Learning English 2007

make informal invitations Page 4 of 5bbclearningenglish.com

There are also gerund forms for the other questions weve heard:Examples

Diarmuid: Do you fancy going for a pint, Catherine?Diarmuid: Are you up for going for a pint, Catherine?

William:Now sometimes, in very informal situations like this, you dont even have to

ask a question in order to invite people to do something. What do I mean? Well,


18/22

listen to the following conversation. Diarmuid has just finished workingExamples

Diarmuid: Right, thats me finished! I think I might go down the bar for a pintCatherine: Im up for that!

William: Diarmuid tells everyone that hes going to the bar. He hasnt asked them if theywant to come, but its clear that they can come if they want. And, as it happens,

Catherine is up for it.Examples

Diarmuid: Right, thats me finished! I think I might go down the bar for a pintCatherine: Im up for that!

William: Now, a quick word about accepting invitations. At the start of the programme,

we heard Catherine say yes like this:

Examples

Catherine: Ooh, Id love one.

William: But if Catherines being asked to do an activity, the response is slightly

different:



bbclearningenglish.comDiarmuid: Do you fancy going for a pint, Catherine?

Catherine: Ooh Id love to, what time?William: If were talking about activities, we should say Id love to not Id love one.

There are lots of other ways of accepting invitations. She could say somethinglike:

Catherine: Thatd be fun.William: Or she could say:Catherine: That sounds lovely.William: Or she could just say:

Catherine: OK, cool.William:Now if youve been listening to this programme and youve been thinking,

But I dont like beer! well, were going to be looking at the more complicatedbusiness of saying no to invitations in a separate programme.

But, for today thats me finished. I think I might go down the bar for a pint.

BAR FX and MusicBBC Learning English

How to make polite invitations



bbclearningenglish.comSIG

William: Hello and welcome toHow to the programme from BBC Learning English

where we give you useful language for some everyday situations.TAG

My names William Kremer. Now you may remember that in a different

programme we found out how to invite people informally, by saying things

like:

ExamplesDiarmuid: Are you up for a pint after work Catherine?

William: Today, were looking at making invitations again, but this time theyre going tobe a little bit more formal. Lets start by listening to a short clip. Diarmuid is

inviting Catherine to a barbeque, which is a kind of meal you can cook outside,

usually in the summer.Examples

Diarmuid: Catherine, are you free on Friday?

Catherine: I think so. Why?Diarmuid: Well, Im going to have a barbeque on Friday night, in my back garden I


19/22

wondered if youd like to come along.Catherine: Yeah, Id love to. That sounds really nice.

Diarmuid: OK, youre not vegetarian are you?Catherine:No, no Im not.

How to BBC Learning English 2007make polite invitations Page 2 of 5

bbclearningenglish.comDiarmuid: Ah, youll be fine with burgers.William: Would you like to hear that clip again? Would you like to hear it now? Well,

Ill play it again a bit later, but first I want to look at this phrase, Would you

like? Would you like means Do you want? but its slightly more polite.

So a slightly more polite way of saying Do you want a banana? is:

Examples

Elena: Would you like a banana?

William: and a slightly more polite way of saying Do you want to come for a drink?

isExamples

Elena: Would you like to come for a drink?William: So, Would you like to do something? is a very good way of asking questions

politely.

But, usually when were being polite, we try and make what we say longer byusing other phrases. Listen to Diarmuid:

Examples

Diarmuid: I wondered if youd like to come along

William: Diarmuid says, I wondered if youd like to come along, which is a shortened

way of saying I wondered if you wouldlike to come along but its sometimes

hard to hear the -d, I wondered if youdlike to come along. To wonder,

means to think or to ask yourself but the meaning of the word isnt that

important here; Diarmuid is just using the phrase to be polite.


make polite invitations Page 3 of 5bbclearningenglish.com

Let's practise using this phrase, I wondered if youd like. Youre going to

hear Elena. After she says a direct question, see if you can change it into asentence beginning, I wondered if youd like. Youll hear the correct answer

after a short pause.

Music

Elena: Would you like a chocolate bar?... I wondered if youd like a chocolate bar.

Would you like to come for a drink?... I wondered if youd like to come for adrink Would you like to see my photos?... I wondered if youd like to see my

photos.End Music

William: How did you do? By the way, you can also say, I was wondering if youd

like. It has exactly the same meaning.Elena: I was wondering if youd like to see my photos.William: I was wondering if youd like to hear the whole conversation between

Catherine and Diarmuid again. You would? OK, here it is:Examples

Diarmuid: Catherine, are you free on Friday?Catherine: I think so. Why?

Diarmuid: Well, Im going to have a barbeque on Friday night, in my back garden I

wondered if youd like to come along.Catherine: Yeah, Id love to. That sounds really nice.Diarmuid: OK, youre not vegetarian are you?


make polite invitations Page 4 of 5


20/22

bbclearningenglish.comCatherine:No, no Im not.

Diarmuid: Ah, youll be fine with burgers.William: Did you hear the question that Diarmuid asked Catherine at the beginning:

Examples

Diarmuid: Catherine, are you free on Friday?

William: Diarmuid asked Catherine if she was free on Friday. Hes checking that sheisnt busy. Another way of checking is to ask the opposite question: Are you

doing anything on Friday? Hopefully, whoever youre speaking to wontbe

doing anything! Or, you could just ask What are you doing on Friday?

Now, before we finish, lets hear a different conversation. This time, Diarmuid

is asking Catherine to a dinner party.

Examples

Diarmuid: What are you doing on Friday, Catherine?

Catherine: Er, Im not sure yet. I might be going out but I havent made any firm plans.

Why?Diarmuid: OK, well Im going to have a dinner party at my house and I would very much

like it if you could come along.Catherine: Oh right, yes Id love to. Is it a formal occasion?Diarmuid:No, its just a few old friends really. Youll youll youll have a good time,

youll like the people. About nine oclock?Catherine: Thatd be lovely. Shall I bring a bottle?

Diarmuid: Oh I think so!Catherine: OK then!

William: This time, Diarmuid says I would very much like it if you could come along.




This is very polite and very friendly, because it shows Catherine that her

coming to his party is important to him.

Examples

Diarmuid: And I would very much like it if you could come along.

William: When Catherine says Shall I bring a bottle?, shes offering to take a bottle of

wine to Diarmuids dinner party.Examples

Catherine: Thatd be lovely. Shall I bring a bottle?

William: You can listen to both the conversations in this programme again on theHow

to webpage on BBC Learning English dot com, where you can also find out

more about todays phrases.The next episode ofHow to will be published next Wednesday. and I would

very much like it if you could come along. GoodbyeBBC Learning English


Example dialogues


make polite invitations example dialogues Page 1 of 1

bbclearningenglish.comDiarmuid: Catherine, are you free on Friday?

Catherine: I think so. Why?Diarmuid: Well, Im going to have a barbeque on Friday night, in my back garden I

wondered if youd like to come along.Catherine: Yeah, Id love to. That sounds really nice.Diarmuid: OK, youre not vegetarian are you?Catherine:No, no Im not.

Diarmuid: Ah, youll be fine with burgers.Diarmuid: What are you doing on Friday, Catherine?


21/22

Catherine: Er, Im not sure yet. I might be going out but I havent made any firm plans.

Why?

Diarmuid: OK, well Im going to have a dinner party at my house and I would very much

like it if you could come along.

Catherine: Oh right, yes Id love to. Is it a formal occasion?Diarmuid:No, its just a few old friends really. Youll youll youll have a good time,

youll like the people. About nine oclock?Catherine: Thatd be lovely. Shall I bring a bottle?Diarmuid: Oh I think so!Catherine: OK then!



QuizHow to BBC Learning English 2007



For each question choose the one correct answer.1:____ _____ ____ to come to my house for dinner?a: Do you likeb: Would you like

c: Will you like2: I ____ ____ ____ like to see my photos

a: wondered if youb: wondered if youd

c: wandered if youd3: I ____ ____ if you would like to join me for a pint after worka: was wonderingb: was wondered

c: am wondering4: Are you _____ on Friday evening?

a: occupiedb: vacant

c: free

5: I ____ _____ _____ _____ _____ if you could come alonga: would very much like itb: would very like it much

c: will like it very much6: Shall I bring _____ ______?

a: a bottle?b: some bottle of wine?

c: some wines?




For each question choose the one correct answer.

1:____ _____ ____ to come to my house for dinner?a: Do you like

Wrong You are not asking about general likes and dislikes, so Do is wrongb: Would you like

Correct This is a polite way to offer something or make an invitationc: Will you like

Wrong You are not asking about a future plan but an idea, so the future tense is wrong2: I ____ ____ ____ like to see my photos

a: wondered if you

Wrong you need to have would in this sentence, either in a full or contracted form


22/22

b: wondered if youd

Correct this is a polite way to offer something or make an invitation

c: wandered if youd

Wrong Be careful! 'Wandered' has the same pronunciation as 'wondered but a different

meaning3: I ____ ____ if you would like to join me for a pint after work

a: was wondering

Correct this is a polite way to invite someone out for a drink after workb: was wondered

Wrong This shouldnt be in the passive voice, so you dont need was

c: am wondering

Wrong We usually use simple past tense or past continuous with this phrase

4: Are you _____ on Friday evening?a: occupied

Wrong This is correct grammar, but occupied is too formalb: vacant

Wrong We tend to use vacant to mean empty, e.g. Is this seat vacant?c: free

Correct this is a very common way to check if someone is busy


make polite invitations Page 3 of 3bbclearningenglish.com

5: I ____ _____ _____ _____ _____ if you could come alonga: would very much like it

Correct This is a very polite and friendly way to invite someoneb: would very like it much

Wrong Check your word order herec: will like it very much

Wrong This sentence is not in the future tense6: Shall I bring _____ ______?

a: a bottle?

Correct This is a normal way to offer to bring a drink, usually wine

b: a wine?

Wrong wine is normally uncountable. So Shall I bring some wine? would be OKc: some wines?

Wrong wine is normally uncountable. So Shall I bring some wine? would be OK

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