EXPRESSIONS

Expressions Responses

Asking for Permission Can I stay up until the end of

the program?(“can is the most informal”)

Could I pay by check? (“could” is generally used for formal and informal occasions)

May I borrow your pen?(“may” is a little more formal than “could”)

Do you mind if I leave the office earlier?

Would you mind if I take a day off tomorrow?

Giving PermissionYes, pleaseOf courseOKCertainly.Oh, never mindBy all means.SureIt doesn’t matter

1. Asking and Giving Permission

Giving Permission Refusing to give permission

“May/Can” is used for permission in the present or future time.

You may leave the office.He can take a day off

whenever he wants.“Might/Could is used for

past and conditional permission.He said we could leave.He said we might leave.

No, thank you.No, you may not.I’m sorry you can’t.No., thanks.You cannot.I’m afraid not.I’m sorry, I …Sorry.

Expressions Responses

Can you close the window?

Could you leave the door open, please?

Would you please give me a hand?

Would you mind going outside for a moment?

Would you mind not touching the TV?

Positive responses: Of course. OK/All right. Sure. Not at all. Certainly.

Negative responses: I am sorry I … Certainly not. Of course not.

2. Expressing Requests and Commands

Expressions Responses

Shall I open the window?

Would you like to try this new machine?

Would you like a cup of coffee?

Would you like to have something to drink?

Do you want something to eat?

Positive responsesYes, please.Yes, I’d love to.Thank you very much.Certainly.Negative responsesNo, thank you.No, thanks.I am sorry, I …

3. Offering something

Expressions Responses

Would you like to go with me tonight?

Shall we go to the library tomorrow?

Let’s have lunch. Why don’t we go together? How about watching “Eclipse”? What about asking your father

for help? What do you suggest to eat? What would you like to do

tonight? What shall we do tonight?

Positive responses: Yes, that’s a marvelous idea. That would be nice. That sounds good to me.

Negative responses: I don’t think so. No, I can’t. I don’t think I can. I don’t really feel like (going to the

cinema). I’d rather not, if you don’t mind. Well, I’m not sure. I don’t really

like that.

4. Making Suggestions

Expressions Responses

I don’t think you should do that job.

You ought to read more. You ought not to work so hard. If I were you, I don’t find another

job. If I were in your position, I’d take

a chance. If I were in your shoes, I’ d meet

my friend in Jakarta. You had better study hard. You shouldn’t spend a lot of money. Whatever you do, don’t work so

hard.

Positive responses: Yes, that’s a good idea. Yes, that’s a marvelous idea. That would be nice. That sound good to me.

Negative responses: I don’t think so. No, I can’t. I don’t think I can. I don’t really feel like (going to

cinema) I’d rather not, if you don’t mind. Well, I’m not sure, I don’t really like

it.

5. Giving Advice

Expressions Responses

What are you doing next Saturday?

We’re having a barbecue party. Would you like to come?

Are you free next Monday? Are you doing anything to

night? Would you be interested in

coming to the music concert with me tomorrow?

Do you fancy going out for a meal on the weekend?

Positive responses: I’d love to, thanks. That’s very kind of you, thanks. That sound lovely, thanks. What a great idea, thanks.

Negative responses: That’s very kind of you, but I’m doing

something else on Saturday. Well, I’d love to, but I’ve already gone

to the music concert. I’m really sorry, but I’ve got

something else to do. I really don’t think I can. I’m

supposed to be doing something else.

6. Making Invitations

Expressions Responses

I’m sorry I have to say this, but I think the air conditioning in my room doesn’t work properly.

I’m sorry to bother you, but I think there’s something wrong with my computer.

Maybe you forgot to give me my change. I think you might have forgotten to

repair my electricity. Excuse me if I’m out of line, but the

television in my room is broken. There may have been a

misunderstanding about the holiday plan.

I’m afraid I have to make a complaint. Some stuff has gone missing from my room.

When people apologize, they normally say “sorry” and offer to put situation right.

I’m sorry, I’ll get someone to check it for you.

Sorry to hear that, I’ll send someone up.

7. Complaining

Agreeing Disagreeing

I think you’re right.I agree with you.Strong AgreementI couldn’t agree

with you more.You’re absolutely

right.

I’m not sure I agree with you.

(I’m afraid) I don’t agree.

(I’m afraid) I disagree.(I’m afraid) I can’t

agree with you.(I’m afraid) I don’t

share your opinion.I don’t think so.

8. Expressing Agreement and Disagreement

Expressions

Excuse me, is there a post office around here?

Can you tell me how to get to the nearest market?

Where’s the ‘Santosa’ Bank?

How do I get to the hospital?

What’s the best way to the library/

Yes, there’s one across the street. Sorry, I don’t live around here. It’s on the corner of Veteran and

Gajah Mada Street. Just go along this street, turn right at

the first crossroad, the hospital is on your right, next to the library.

Go straight ahead (until you come to …)

Turn back/go back. Turn left/right. Go along … Cross …. Take the first/second road on the

left/right. It’s on the left/right.

9. Asking and Giving Directions

Responses

10. Conditional Sentences

Conditional Sentences Type IConditional sentences type I use a structure for

talking about possibilities in the present or in the

future. The pattern is: if + simple present, will

(future)• If I have a lot of money, I will go to Egypt.• If it’s sunny, we’ll go to the beach.• If you cook dinner, I’ll clean the house.

Conditional Sentences Type IIConditional sentences type II use a structure

used for talking about unreal situations in the present

or in the future. The pattern is: if + simple past,

conditional I (would + Infinitive)If I had a lot of money, I would go to Egypt. (Since I do not have a lot of money, I cannot go

to Egypt).• If I were you, I would buy that motorcycle.

Conditional Sentences Type IIIConditional sentences type III use a structure for talking about unreal situations in the past. In other words, it is used to talk about things which DID NOT HAPPEN in the past. The pattern: if + past perfect, conditional III ( would + have + past participle)• If I had had a lot of money, I would have gone to Egypt(but I didn’t have it, and so I didn’t go to Egypt)• If you had driven more carefully, you wouldn’t have had

an accident.• If I had known her address, I would have gone to her

house

11. Expressions of Making and Handling Reservations

Making a reservationI would like to reserve a single ticket to

Makasar.I would like to reserve a night flight to

Medan.I am going to book a double room this

weekend.Can I reserve a table for two for lunch?Could I make a reservation for my trip to Bali

next week?Can I book a train seat for tomorrow

morning?

Handling a ReservationYes, sir/madam. What sort of room do you

need?Certainly. When would you like to go, sir?I’m sorry to inform you that all our rooms

have been reserved.Sorry, I am afraid to inform you that all our

tables have been booked.

12. Expressions Dealing with the Telephone Conversation

In the BeginningFormalHello, it’s … (mention your name or the company

you’re working with). May I help you?Good morning/afternoon … (you name/the company

you’re working with). What can I do for you?InformalHello, it’s …(name), who is this?Hello, it’s …(name), is it …(name)?Hello, it’s …(name), is … (name) there?Hello, … (name) speaking.

In Handling Telephone CallsAni speaking. Can I help you?Who’s calling, please?This is Sari from Indonesia.Can I leave a message?I am sorry, the line is busy.Can I have your number?Can I speak to Mr. Brown, please?Just a moment, please.Do you want to hold on or call back later?Can you ask him to call me back?Can I take a message?

In the EndNice talking to you.Thank you for calling.Bye.May I call you later?Yes, sure. Bye.Sure. Bye.

13. Expressions Used in Handling Guests

In General Can I help you? What can I do for you, madam/sir? Would you like me to … ? Please sit down.

In a hotel Welcome to our hotel. I am sure you will enjoy your stay here. We have some facilities for our guests. What sort of room do you need? Which room do you prefer, a single or double bed? I am sorry, all our rooms are booked. We have no vacant rooms at all.

In a restaurantWelcome to our restaurant.I hope you enjoy the food.We have a special menu today.What would you like to order?What kind of food do you like?How about a drink?Would you like something for dessert?

In a travel agencyWe have some tour programs to Bali.Please report to us an hour before your

departure.We have special package tour for the next

holiday.What sort of ticket do you need?Which ticket do you prefer, a single or round

trip?What seat would you like, an economy or

exccutive one?

14. Talking about Comparison

The comparative from of adjective is used to compare two things.

A car is fast. It’s faster than a bicycle. Your garden is beautiful. It’s more beautiful

than mine.One syllable adjectives and two syllables

adjectives that end with “-y” use “-er” in the comparative form.

• Big – bigger, old – older, pretty – prettier, happy - happier

Most other two syllables adjectives and adjective s of three or more syllables don’t use”-er” in the comparative form. They use”-more”.

Beautiful – more beautiful, comfortable – more comfortable, difficult – more difficult, interesting – more interesting

When two things are compared to a group of three or more things, superlative form of adjectives is used.

• Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

• This is the most expensive computer in the store.

A superlative adjective is always preceded by the.

• One syllable adjectives and adjectives that end with”-y” use”-est” in the superlative form.

• High –the highest, old-the oldest, shiny-the shiniest, easy-the easiest

Most other two syllables adjectives and adjectives of three or more syllables don’t use”-est”. They use “most” in the superlative form.

• Expensive-the most expensive, delicious-the most delicious, boring-the most boring.