PERCAKAPAN 3

Greeting

• Saying hello

Good morning/afternoon/evening.

Hello./Hi.

How are you?

Response:

    (I'm) great. Thank you. /Thanks.

    Just fine     not bad.              OK.

• Saying good-bye/ partings

Good-bye./Bye./Bye-bye.

Good night.

See you later/tomorrow.

Have a good evening/a nice day.

Thanks. /You, too.

• Introducing yourself

Hi. My name is . . .

I'm . . . .

It's nice to meet you

Nice to meet you, too

• Exchanging personal information

What's your name?

    I'm . . . ./My name is . . . .

What's your phone number?

    It's . . . .

• Checking and confirming information

What's your last name again?

    It's . . . .

How do you spell . . . ?

Is that . . . ?

    Yes, that's right. /No, it's . . . .

Are you . . . ?

    No, I'm not. /Yes, I am.

• Introducing someone

. . . , this is . . . .

    Hi, . . . . It's nice to meet you.

• Apologizing

I'm sorry.

• Getting someone's attention

Excuse me.

• Giving an opinion

I think . . . .

Notes:

1. It is not common to use titles (Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.) when referring to yourself.

However, it is polite to use titles with others in formal situations, unless they give you permission to do otherwise.

Examples:

I'm Mr. Robert Smith. (Title is not necessary here.)

I'm Robert Smith. (Better)

I'm Dr. Sampson. (Okay, if you want to keep the relationship formal)

(After an introduction)

Nice to meet you Mr. Smith

Oh, please call me "Bob."

2. Do not use titles with first names, and do not use last names alone without titles.

Hello, Mr. Bob (Wrong!)

Hi, Bob (Okay)

Good morning, Smith (Wrong!)

Good morning, Mrs. Smith (Correct)

Practice introducing your friends and relatives.

Remember to smile (and use handshakes where appropriate).

For example,

A: This is my friend, Barry.

B: Hi Barry. I'm Pete.

C: Nice to meet you, Pete.

B: Nice to meet you too.

Conversation practice:

1. Point to people (with your open hand, not with your finger) and tell others who they are and something about them.

Example:

This is Maria. She's a news reporter.

This is Mr. Schwarz. He's a movie star.

2. Introduce yourself to a group and tell them what you do (your occupation.)

Example:

I'm Patrick. I'm an astronaut.

3. With a partner, practice pointing to objects and asking questions about them.

Demonstratives are used to point out a particular item. They are as follows:

This (indicates something close to the speaker)

That (indicates something away from the speaker)

These (indicates some things close to the speaker)

Those (indicates some things away from the speaker)

Example:

A: What is this? (pointing to something held in the speaker's hand or near the speaker)

B: A pencil.

A: What is that? (pointing to something at a distance from the speaker)

B: A tree.

Remember that demonstratives are used in reference to the speaker. (What is near "you" may not be near "me" and vice versa.)

      A: What's that you're holding?

      B: This is an egg. Here, catch!

      A: Oops.

      B: That's a mess.

      A: What are these (holding up a pair of slippers)

      B: Those are slippers.

Be sure to use this/that with singular and non-count nouns and these/those with count nouns.

      This orange is sour.

      These oranges are sweet.

      That truck is full.

      Those trucks are empty.

      This milk is fresh.

Sometimes demonstratives can be used as pronouns (to refer to a particular noun.)

      Give me that!

      Whose are these?

      Give me that (spoon).

      Whose are these (socks)?

This and that can also be used with one. However, these and those are more commonly used alone.

      I want this one.

      I want these. (not these ones)

      I'll take that one.

      I'll take those.

On the telephone, this and that are used differently in British and American English to identify callers.

Example:

     1. Receiver: Hello.

      Caller: I was wondering if you would be interested in buying . . .

      Receiver: Who is this? (American)

                                Who is that? (British)

      (Both expressions are used to ask the caller to identify himself/herself.)

      Caller: This is Mr. Fuller from the Acme          Brush Company.

      2. (Same for both British and American English)

      Caller: Hi Jack. Long time no see!

      Receiver: Is this Bob? What a surprise! (American)

 Is that Bob? What a surprise! (British)

Conversation practice:

1. Point to objects in your room and ask your teacher what they are in English.

Ask your teacher to repeat or spell the words.

For example,

What is that?

It's a chair.

How do you spell it?

c-h-a-i-r.

2. With a partner, practice pointing to objects and asking questions about them.

What's This?

KEY VOCABULARY

• Nouns

Classroom objects

-Board    -book    -bag    -calculator

-cassette player    -chair    -clock    -desk

-English dictionary    -encyclopedia   - eraser

-Map   -notebook   -pen    -pencil   -table

-Wastebasket    -address    -electronic address book   -bag   -briefcase   -camera   -CD player -cell phone   -earring(s)   -glasses  -car keys -newspaper   -pager   -purse   -stamp -sunglasses   -telephone   -television -umbrella   -wallet    -watch    -box -Chopsticks   -classroom  -door    -exercise -location    -pocket    -restaurant      -sentence -thing   -wall  -window

                               

• Pronouns Demonstratives

-That    -these     -this

• Subject pronoun

-they

• Adjectives

-Gone   -great   -interesting   -nice

• Articles

-a/an    -the

• Verbs

-Bet   -open    -relax    -spell

• Adverbs

-Still    -very

• Prepositions

Behind  -in  -in front of   -next to  -on   -under

• Interjections

-Hmm   -No problem.   -Oh, cool!       -Oh, no!

-OK.    -See?    -uh    -Wait!     -Wow!

• Identifying objects

What's this called in English?

    I don't know.

    It's a/an . . . .

What are these called in English?

    They're . . . .

• Finding the owner of an item

Is this your . . . ?

    Yes, it is./No, it's not. It's . . . .

Are these his?

    Yes, they are./No, they're not. They're . . . .

• Asking for and giving location

Where is . . . ?

    It's under/. . . the . . . .

Where are . . . ?

    They're under/. . . the . . . .

• Checking information

How do you spell that?

• Making a request

Let me . . . .

• Thanking someone

Thank you.

    You're welcome.

• Realizing something

Wait a minute!

Conversation Practice

Practice asking simple information questions in English. Use appropriate Wh- words.

Examples,

How are you (doing) today?

I'm fine. Thanks.

Where is Keith?

He's at the store.

What's in the box?

There are two dimes and a nickel.

Who is this?

She's my teacher, Ms. Jones.

1. When your partner tells you something about himself/herself, say "Really?" and ask a related question.

For example,

I'm from Nepal.

Really, is this your first time here?

I live in Cincinnati.

Really, is that near Cleveland?

I'm an engineer.

Oh really? Which train?

2. When your partner tells you something, say "Really?" then make a related statement.

For example,

I'm from Ireland.

Oh really? My grandfather is Irish.

I live in Tokyo.

Really, my sister lives in Osaka.

I'm a student at Forbes University.

Really, I study at Gates College.

3. Ask wh- questions to find out information about your partner. Then respond to the information.

For example,

Where do you work?

I work at May Bee's

Really, what do you do there?

I'm a sales clerk.

1. Practice telling your partner or classmates about your daily activities.

For example,

Every day I get up at 4.00 o'clock.

Then, I eat my breakfast.

I go to work/class at 6.00 o'clock.

I usually finish work/class at 1.00 pm o'clock.

In the evenings, I like to watch television.

I always go to bed at 10:30 p.m.

2. Ask your partner about his/her daily activities.

Example

Where do you work?

I work at Penny's.

When do you (usually) start work?

At 9:00 (a.m.)

I finish at 5:00 (p.m.)

What do you do after school?

I play soccer with my friends.

Or sometimes I go shopping with my mom.

3. Talk about someone else's daily activities.

Remember to use the -s form of the verb for third person (singular).

Example

Tyra usually gets up at 7:30.

Then she takes a shower and brushes her teeth.

Cory and Lori are twins.

They live in Omaha.

They ride the bus to school every day.

Where Are You From?

KEY VOCABULARY

• Nouns

Countries, Nationalities, and Languages

• Regions of the world

Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, (the) Caribbean, Central America, Europe, North America and South America

• Other noun:

People, best friend, brother, family, mother, parents, person (plural = people), sister, student

• Places

city (plural = cities), world, college, language

• Subject pronouns

We, you (plural)

• Adjectives of Describing people

Cute, friendly, funny, good-looking, handsome, heavy, nice, pretty, serious, short, shy, smart, tall, thin, beautiful, fine, large, new, old.

• Verbs

Call, know and think

• Adverbs

a little, here, originally, really, so, this week, today

• Prepositions

From, in

• Asking about countries, nationalities, and languages

Are you from Seoul/. . . ?

    Yes, I am./No, I'm not. I'm from . . . .

Where is he/she from?

    He's/She's from . . . .

Are you Japanese/. . . ?

    Yes, we are./No, we're not. We're . . . .

Is your first language English/. . . ?

    Yes, it is./No, it's not.

• Asking about people

Who are they?/Who's that?/What are their names?

    He's . . . , and she's . . . .

Where are they from?

    They're from . . . .

What are they like?

     They're very/really . . . .

Conversation practice

1. Ask simple questions to guess your partner's favorite celebrity (famous person).

For example,

Is he/she from the United States?

Yes, he is.

Is he a movie star?

No, he isn't.

Does he/she play sports?

Yes, he does.

Does he play soccer?

No, he doesn't.

Is he a basketball player?

Yes, he is.

Michael Jordan?

Yes.

2. Ask yes/no questions to guess what a classmate is thinking.

For example,

I'm thinking of an object in the room.

Is it in the back of the room?

No, it isn't.

Is it very small?

No, it isn't.

Does the teacher use it every day?

Yes, she does.

Can you write on it?

Yes, I can.

Is it the blackboard?

Yes, it is.

KEY VOCABULARY

• Nouns

Hometown areas, country, downtown, suburbs

• Modes of transportation (noun)

Bus, bus station, car, ferry, ferry terminal, public transportation, subway, subway station, taxi, taxi stand, train, train station.

• Hometown places (noun)

Apartment, house, office, park, restaurant, school, store

• Family relationships

Brother, children/kids, daughter, father/dad, husband, mother/mom, parents, sister, son, wife

• Days of the week

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

• Other noun

Computer, day, homework, Internet, paper, flat, tire, weekday, weekend

• Object pronouns

Me, us

• Determiners

all (day), both, every (day)

• Adjectives

Busy, good, lucky, public, retired

• Verbs

Come, do (work), go (to school/to bed), go on (the Internet), live, meet, need, say, serve, take (a bus/a train), use, wait (for), walk

• Adverbs of Times

Early, every day, late, a lot of, alone, also, far home, then, together, yet

• Prepositions

at (home), by (bus/car), for (people like us), like (us), near (here), on (Sundays/weekends), with (my parents)

• Talking about routines

What time do you . . . ?

    At . . . .

When does he . . . ?

    He . . . at . . . .

Does he . . . ?

    Yes, he . . . every morning/. . . .

How do you go to . . . ?

    I . . . .

• Expressing an opinion

That's good.

You're lucky!

• Expressing agreement

Yeah.

Sure.

Questions and answers

1. How many fingers do you have?

2. You have eight fingers?

3. How many brothers does Ryan have?

4. How many students in your class?

5. How old is your sister?

6. How many hours do you work every day?

7. How many people are in the group?

8. How many cookies are left?

9. How many toothpicks are in the box?

I have eight fingers.

Eight fingers and two thumbs.

He has four (brothers).

Thirty-five, including me.

She is seventeen.

From nine to five. Eight hours.

About seventy.

Five or six.

More than a hundred.

• Conversation 1

Rrrrring.

R: Hello.

C: Hello. Is Steve there?

R: I'm sorry. He's not here right now.

C: What time will he be back?

R: Around five thirty.

C: This afternoon?

R: Yes. May I ask who's calling?

C: This is his friend, Greg.

R: Okay. I'll tell him you called.

C: Thanks.

• Conversation 2

Rrrrrring.

R: Tyler residence.

C: Is this Naomi?

R: No, this is her sister, Nancy.

C: You sure sound like Naomi.

R: Oh. Can I take a message?

C: Sure. Please tell her that Andy called.

R: Okay. I'll give her the message.

C: Thanks.

R: Bye.

Conversation Practice

Practice making contractions and using them in conversation.

1. Ask yes/no questions using "be" verbs.

Have your partner answer in complete sentences, using contractions.

Example

Is Jessica married?

No she isn't. She's single.

Are the clothes dry yet?

No, they aren't. They're still wet.

2. Ask questions in the present progressive tense.

Have your partner answer in complete sentences, using contractions.

For example,

Is Jonathan doing his homework?

No, he's outside. He's playing football.

Where's Cody?

He's riding his horse.

*3. Talk about future plans. Use "be going to" with contractions!

For example,

What're you going to (gonna) do this weekend?

I'm going to (gonna) see a movie. How about you?

We're going to (gonna) have a party.

Sounds like fun.

I'm going to see a Musical.

KEY VOCABULARY

• Nouns

(comedy) act, (leisure) activity, address, amusement park, barbecue, cafeteria, (telephone) call, dictionary, (craft) fair, (arts/crafts) festival, gathering, handout, hockey, meeting, message, monument, musical, plan, spectator, (tennis) tournament, turn

• Adjectives

Canceled, historic

• Verbs

Finish, live, give, open, pick (someone) up, plan, return, speak

• Adverbs

In, overtime, tomorrow

• Talking about plans

What are you doing tonight?

    I'm going . . . .

Are you doing anything tomorrow/tonight?

    No, I'm not.

What is he going to do tonight?

    He's going to . . . .

Is he going to . . . tomorrow night?

    Yes, he is.

• Apologizing and giving reasons

I'm sorry, but I can't go.

I'm working late.

• Accepting and refusing invitations

Would you like to . . . ?/

Do you want to . . . ?

    I'd love to.

    Oh, sorry, I can't.

• Making a business call

Good morning, . . . .

    Hello. May I speak to . . . , please?

. . . he's not in. Can I take a message?

    Yes, please. This is . . . . Would you ask . . . to call me?

    My number is . . . .

I'll give . . . the message.

    Thank you. Good-bye.

• Leaving and taking messages

Can/May I take a message?

    Please tell . . . (that) . . . .

    Please ask . . . to . . . .

    Would/Could you tell . . . (that) . . . ?

    Would/Could you ask . . . to . . . ?

KEY VOCABULARY

• Nouns

Clothes, Belt, Blouse, boot(s), cap, coat, dress, glove(s), hat, (high) heels Jacket, Jeans, Pajamas, Pants, Raincoat, running shoes, scarf, shirt, shoe(s), shorts, skirt, sneakers, sock(s), suit, sweater, sweatshirt, swimsuit, T-shirt, tie

• Seasons of the year

Spring, summer, Fall, Winter,

• Other noun

Clothes, Matter, Problem, Season, Taxi, Weather,

• Adjectives

Beige, Black, (dark/light) blue, (dark/light) brown, (dark/light) gray, (dark/light) green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow, Weather, Cloudy, Cold, Cool, Hot, Humid, Sunny, Warm, Windy,

• Possessives

Our, your (plural), their

• Other adjective

Dry, important, ruined

• Verbs

Rain, snow, take (a taxi), wear

• Adverbs

Actually, probably

• Conjunction

But,

• Interjections

Uh-oh!, Yeah.

• Talking about preferences

What's your favorite color?

    My favorite color is . . . .

• Asking about and describing clothing

What color is/are . . . ?

    It's/They're . . . .

Are you wearing . . . ?

    Yes, I am./No, I'm not. I'm wearing . . . .

• Showing opposition

I'm . . . , but I'm not . . . .

• Talking about the weather

It's snowing/raining/. . . .

It's cloudy/cold/hot/sunny/. . . .

KEY VOCABULARY

• Nouns

Bill, chore, cup, dance club, girlfriend, groceries, laundry, letter, mall, meal, popcorn, roommate, test, video

• Verbs

Clean, come over, do (the laundry), dust, eat out, Exercise, go jogging, listen (to music), pay, rent, shop, vacuum, visit, wash,

• Adverbs

Either, else, over

• Prepositions

around (the house), during (the week), on (the bus)

• Interjection

Oh, well.

• Talking about past activities

Did you go out/. . . this weekend?

    Yes, I did. I went to/. . . .

    No, I didn't. I stayed home/. . . .

What did you do?

    I . . . . I didn't . . . .

• Giving opinions about past experiences

Did you like . . . ?

    I liked it a lot.

    I loved . . . .

Did you have fun?

    We had a great time.

• Asking for additional information

Did you do anything else?

KEY VOCABULARY

• Nouns (Months of the year)

January, February, March, April, May, June

July, August, September, October, November

December

• Other noun

Birthday, gym, mashed potatoes, parade, party, picnic, plans, present, turkey

• Pronoun

Anything

• Adjectives

Different, embarrassing, holiday, next, same, special, unusual

• Verbs

ask (= invite), celebrate, end, go out, have (a party/a picnic), invite, order, see (a movie)

stay (home), take (someone to a restaurant)

think about

• Adverbs

around (midnight), tonight

• Preposition

for (Thanksgiving/your birthday)

• Talking about future plans

Are you going to do anything exciting this/next . . . ?

    Yes, I am. I'm going to . . . .

    No, I'm not. I'm going to . . . .

What are your plans?/Any plans?

    I'm going to . . . .

What are you going to do?

    I'm going to . . . .

Where are you going to go?

    I'm going to go to . . . .

Who's going to be there?

    . . . is/are going to be there.

When are you going to go?

    We're going to . . . .

How are you going to get there?

    We're going to . . . .

• Talking about dates

When is your birthday?

    It's August ninth.

• Talking about holidays

What are you going to do for Thanksgiving?

    I'm going to have dinner at my parents' house.

• Greeting someone on a special day

Happy birthday!

    Thanks.

Have a happy Thanksgiving/. . . .

    Thanks. You, too.

• Asking for more information

What about you?

• Expressing an opinion

Hmm. That's unusual.

(That) sounds like fun.

• Giving a positive reaction

Fabulous! What Are You Going to Do?

KEY VOCABULARY

• Nouns (Parts of the body)

Ankle, arm, back, chest, chin, ear, elbow, eye, finger(s), foot (plural = feet), hand, head, knee, leg, mouth, neck, nose, shoulder, stomach, throat, thumb, toe(s), tooth (plural = teeth), wrist

• Health problems

Backache, Cold, Cough, Earache, Fever, the flu, headache, sore (eyes/throat), stomachache, toothache

• Medications

Antacid, aspirin, cold pills, cough drops, cough syrup, eye drops, muscle cream

• Other noun

Bath, coffee, fun, idea, juice, look, patient   

• Adjectives

Feelings, awful, bad, exhausted, fine (well), good (better), great, happy, homesick, sad, sick, terrible, terrific, tired, sore, wrong

• Verbs

Feel, guess, help, hope, lift, lose (weight), miss, point, stay (in bed), stay up (late), take (a bath), take (a look at), take (medicine)

• Adverbs

Already, soon, too

• Prepositions

for (ten minutes), in (bed/the house), on (the phone)

• Talking about health problems

How are you?

    I'm not so good, actually.

What's the matter?/What's wrong?

    I have . . . .

How do you feel?

    I feel sick/. . . .

    I don't feel well.

    I feel better already.

• Expressing sympathy

That's too bad.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I hope you feel better soon.

• Giving instructions/advice

Take/Don't take . . . .

Go to/Don't go to . . . .

Eat/Don't eat . . . .

Do/Don't do . . . .

You Can Play Baseball Really Well.

KEY VOCABULARY

• Nouns (Sports)

Baseball, basketball, bike riding, Football, golf, hiking, hockey, ice-skating, Skiing, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball

Ability, beach, guitar, piano, poetry, talent, talent show, team, (free) time

• Adjectives

Artistic, athletic, great, mechanical, musical, technical                               

• Verbs

Draw, enjoy, enter, fix, play (a musical instrument), play (a sport), practice, sing, skate, speak, use (computers), write

• Adverbs

(not) at all, just, maybe, tomorrow, too, (not) very well, (really) well

• Preposition

on (TV)

• Talking about sports

What sports do you like/play . . . ?

    I love/play . . . .

    I don't like/play . . . .

    I like . . . , but I really love . . . .

Who do you play . . . with?

    With some friends from work.

When does your team practice?

    We practice on . . . .

What time do you practice?

    We start at . . . .

Where do you go skiing?

    I go skiing in Colorado.

• Asking for and giving an opinion

What do you think of . . . ?

    I think it's dangerous/. . . .

• Talking about abilities and talents

Can you . . . ?

    Yes, I can./No, I can't.

Can they . . . ?

    Yes, they can . . . very well.

    No, they can't . . . at all.

I can . . . , but I can't . . . very well.

• Agreeing to do something

Sure. Why not?

• Complimenting someone

You're a really good . . . !

You can . . . really well.

    Thanks.

• Here are some examples of short questions and answers in English.

Are you a doctor?

Yes, I am.

No, I'm a nurse.

Is he from Colombia?

                Yes, he is

No, he isn't.

No, he's from Venezuela.

Is it time to go?

Yes, it is.

No, it isn't.

Not yet.

Is she married?

Yes, she is.

No, she isn't.

I don't know.

Are they here yet?

Yes, they are.

No, they aren't.

Do you live in Oklahoma?

Yes, I do.

No, I don't.

No, I live in Texas.

Does she drink coffee?

Yes, she does.

No, she doesn't.

No, she drinks tea.

Does it fly?

Yes, it does.

No, I don't think so.

Do you need some help?

Yes, I do.

No, I'm fine.

Can I have this?

Yes, you can.

No, you can't.

Should we go?

Yeah.

Okay.

No, not yet.

Could you help me?

Sure.

No, sorry.

• General greetings and inquiries

      How's it going?

      How's everything?

      How's life?

      (This means "How are you?" not "Where are you going?")

• Asking about present activities

      What's up?

      What's happening?

      (What are you doing now?)

• Asking and telling about recent events

      What's new?

      Guess what?

      (What interesting has happened since I last saw you?)

      (I want to tell you something. Ask me about it.)

      (The appropriate response to this is "What?")

      A: Guess what?

      A: I just got a new job.

      B: What?

      B: Congratulations!

In a discussion interaction

• Bringing up a serious topic

      Can I talk to you for a minute?

      Do you have a minute?

      Got a minute?

• Rejoinders are quick responses to show that you are interested or paying attention.

      (Oh) Really

      That's interesting.

      Is that right?

• Note how rejoinders are used in the following situations.

      1. I just got a new job.

                      Oh really? That's great!

      2. I lost my wallet yesterday.

      Oh really? That's too bad.

• Rejoinders may also take the form of follow-up questions. Note how they are used in the following situations.

      1. I just bought a new car.

      You did?

      2. Johnny is in the hospital.

      He is?

      3. I'm going to Hawaii.

      You are?

• Modals are commonly used for asking permission

      Can I ask you a question?

      May I have a piece of cake?

      Could I get you to turn off the lights

• Some other common phrases are

      Do you mind if I smoke?

     Would you mind if I asked you something?

      Is it okay if I sit here?

      Would it be all right if I borrowed your lawn mower?

• Giving Permission

      Sure.

      Go ahead.

      No problem.

Introduction in Discussion or Seminar

      (Good morning, afternoon, evening)

      I'm happy to be here.

      I'm glad to have this opportunity to . . .

      Today, I'd like to talk (to you) about . . .

      My topic today is . . .

      The focus of my remarks is . . .

      I'd like to share some thoughts on (topic)

Main points

      Let me start by . . .

      First, let me tell you about . . .

      I've divided my topic into (three) parts: (They are . . .)

Giving examples

      For instance,

      Let me illustrate,

      To illustrate,

Conclusion

      In conclusion,

      To conclude,

      To summarize,

      To sum up,

• Asking for Opinions

      What do you think?

      What's your opinion?

      What are your ideas?

      Do you have any thoughts on that?

      How do you feel about that?

• Giving Opinions

      I think we should get a new car.

      I don't think we need one.

      I believe (that) smoking should be outlawed.

      I don't believe (that) it should be illegal.

      In my opinion, Gone with the Breeze is the best movie ever made.

      I feel that it's the right thing to do.

      I don't feel that it's such a good idea.

• Giving your opinion

      I think that . . .

      I don't think that . . .

      In my opinion . . .

• Asking for support or details

      Why do you think that?

      Could you elaborate?

      Could you give (me) an example?

      Can you illustrate that?

      What evidence do you have?

      Could you explain it in more detail?

      Could you provide some details?

• Supporting your opinions

      Let me illustrate,

      For example,

      For instance,

      To give you an example,

      Let me give you an example,

      To elaborate,

      First, (second), etc.

      (These phrases can be followed by details, examples, elaboration, or a summary of your main points.)

• Interrupting politely

      Excuse me,

      Pardon me,

      Sorry to interrupt,

      May I interrupt (for a minute)?

      Can I add something here?

      I don't mean to intrude, but . . .

      Could I inject something here?

      Do you mind if I jump in here?

• Getting back to the topic

      Anyway,

      Now, where was I?

      Where were we?

      What were you saying?

      You were saying . . .

      To get back to . . .

      On the other hand,

However,

Yes, but . . .

You may be right, but . . .

I may be wrong, but . . .

Correct me if I'm wrong, but . . .

On the contrary,

• (Be careful with this one!)

It appears to be a direct negation of what was just stated, but it can actually be an emphatic reaffirmation of one's own opinion.

For example: It's not hot. On the contrary, it's cold.

("Not hot" and "cold" mean the same thing.)

               

• Classifying

Here are some phrases for classifying in English.

There are five kinds of . . .

There are two types of . . .

There are three categories of . . .

We can divide (this) into three parts:

      1)

      2)

      3)

This can be broken down into four sections.

They are:

      A)

      B)

      C)

      D)