Questions tagged [conversation]
For questions related to natural spoken conversations. Please use the dialogue tag for authored or scripted conversations
201
questions
-1
votes
0answers
30 views
Correct response to the assertion “You can be adamant”
There was a segment in a web-series wherein the dialogue was:
Male protagonist: You can be adamant! (In an exasperated tone)
Female protagonist: I can! (retorts the character)
I thought the response ...
1
vote
2answers
73 views
“Truth” as a reply instead of “True”
I think this sentence is grammatically correct:
You need a new pair of glasses.
True.
However, I've heard sometimes someone says Truth instead of True:
You need a new pair of glasses.
Truth.
Is ...
0
votes
0answers
47 views
Is this is an “either/or” statement or an “either/and” statement?
I’m currently applying to jobs and ran across this statement in the qualifications section of one listing:
“Not currently enrolled in or completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in a digital marketing ...
0
votes
0answers
25 views
This and that when they refer to non-tangible objects
Let's take this example:
....But on a regular, day-to-day basis, when a task requires thinking
that isn’t itself enjoyable, even puzzle lovers’ brains prefer less
thinking over more.
That is the law ...
1
vote
0answers
54 views
Difference between Reply x Answer x Response [closed]
I have a question about conversation in english... i'm only a recently student of english, then I've got a lot of question.
If I understood, in a conversation face to face or in some social media, ...
0
votes
1answer
49 views
Word for someone who always relates a topic of conversation back to their topic
I have a friend who consistently relates any conversation back to their set topics. Such as North Korea, nazis,soviet union, freemasons and greece. For example, I was talking about disney killing off ...
-2
votes
1answer
57 views
What does the woman say in the movie? [closed]
What does the woman say in the movie?
The link to the specified section of the movie:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XHAEckAKxeEGyF2hQ8juhA5ewshXEhCo/view?usp=sharing
0
votes
0answers
85 views
What to say when someone's answer is not related to our question or at least we think it's not? [duplicate]
I would say: "How's that related to my question ?"
Please answer for both formal and informal cases
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Proper use of “we” in this conversation
Is the following use of "we" in an informal conversation incorrect or ambiguous:
Mary: How did your day go at work?
John: It was good. I had a meeting early in the morning and we had lunch ...
0
votes
2answers
74 views
Is it natural to say “Me, I xyz”?
I tend to put "me" in front of sentences when I'm trying to set them apart from a previously said opinion or view.
Examples:
Me, I like pizza.
Me, I'm cold.
Is it okay to say it like that ...
0
votes
0answers
1k views
What is a casual way of saying “I will go offline soon” in an Internet conversation
I'm having a conversation on my phone, but know I can't answer in a short while (e. g. need to go to sleep of have an appointment). What's a casual way of saying "I'm going offline soon"? I ...
0
votes
0answers
167 views
Meaning of “I am holding for”
I was watching "Gilmore Girls"
Lory (Lorelai's daughter) just got in private school, but Lorelai discovered that tuition enroll fee is too much high to prepare on short notice. So I think, ...
0
votes
4answers
127 views
How to express surprise when you do not expect something and forced to do it
A friend and I booked a table at a restaurant in the expectation of being there for the whole evening but, once we had begun our meal, the waiter told us that we had to vacate the table by 9:30 as the ...
0
votes
0answers
132 views
When do you close? vs Until what time are you open?
I have just came across this situation.
At I can't get rid of this question what should I say
when do you close
or
until what time are you open?
it might sound really silly question,
but when you ...
0
votes
2answers
68 views
how to recognize places and people's names easily during conversation
I can distinguish places or names easily when I am reading because they have capital letters. However that information is not conveyed through conversation. I found it difficult for me to recognize a ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
What’s the origin/etymology of “mm-bye”?
As said to end conversations (especially on the phone): mmm-bye.
When and how did this form/usage start?
-2
votes
1answer
70 views
Do native English speakers pronouce b as m?
I very often study English and try to improve my listening skill with some educational materials. And I just encountered a sentence, "Once he made an alarm clock for cats – you know, to wake them ...
1
vote
0answers
47 views
A slang-phrase for “dreamed for him”
Is there an informal way of saying "I've been informed my child was accepted at the school I always dreamed for him"?
0
votes
1answer
564 views
“I’ll get right on it” [duplicate]
What does it mean to say ( I’ll get right on it) if someone in a really terrible situation and being offered a help and he replied ( I ‘ll get right on it )
-2
votes
1answer
36 views
Using “is” or not
Should I use "is" in the below:
1-Whatever what you dream of, with the hard work you can achieve it.
2-Whatever is what you dream of, with the hard work you can achieve it.
0
votes
1answer
50 views
What is some literature you would recommend to improve my conversational and word association skills? [closed]
What books could help me improve my wit and verbal skills and become a better conversationalist?
0
votes
0answers
85 views
Is it correct to say ‘Skyping’ in a sentence
Is it correct to say to my boss ‘ I will be Skyping with you from there’
0
votes
0answers
216 views
Is it common to say 'not that urgent'
Is it correct to say ‘not that urgent’ to someone who is offering urgent appointment thinking that there is something urgent?
0
votes
0answers
372 views
superior “at” vs “in” which preposition to use?
(which is the best sentence to use between ( 1 or 2) and (3 or 4) :
1- He is superior at all things. (means he is the best)
2- He is superior in all things. (means he is the best)
3- He is ...
0
votes
0answers
30 views
which preposition sounds more idiomatic and natural?
which one to use to mean that people die because of flu ?
1- People die from flu.
2- People die of flu.
0
votes
1answer
106 views
What sentence sounds more natural?
I have a question regarding the following sentences:
which one is more native one.
I wouldn't be trying to learn English, if I haven't met someone who inspired me.
I wouldn't be trying to learn ...
0
votes
1answer
185 views
Is it incorrect to say “I couldn't catch that” when referring to missed conversation?
A friend of mine who speaks English as a second language asked me if it was correct to say "I couldn't catch that" when referring to just having missed a part of a conversation, e.g. a phone call. My ...
0
votes
1answer
132 views
A word describing someone who says “like” or “um” every couple of words in most sentences [duplicate]
Is there a word (or a few words) that accurately describes someone with the "like disease" (or the many other unnecessary words or small phrases spread throughout most sentences, such as "um") in "...
1
vote
3answers
371 views
How to answer cheers?
I occasionally have meetings with my supervisor. When the meeting finishes, my supervisor says: "cheers". I don't know how to answer that. What is a natural response to that? What do native speakers ...
0
votes
1answer
2k views
I would like + please
I received an email with this sentence:
He gives a talk and then I and anyone else interested can discuss with him afterward.
In response to that sentence, can I write this next sentence or not? How ...
0
votes
2answers
84 views
Response to “Excuse me” when some one wants to pass you [duplicate]
It has happened to me a lot that when I am searching for an item in aisle in a supermarket and somebody says "excuse me" and passes me. What is a natural response to excuse myself here? What should ...
1
vote
2answers
73 views
response to thank you after helping [closed]
I kept a door for somebody to pass and he said: "thank you". What should I say in response? I said: "no problem!". But I am not sure my response was the best one.
0
votes
3answers
1k views
Using “Excuse me, …” for asking questions
It has happened to me a lot that I stop random people in the street for asking a question about direction. I said "Excuse me". In answer to my "excuse me" People usually say "Hey". I am wondering if I ...
-1
votes
1answer
76 views
Where should a period be placed when a sentence ends in a word that is meant to be copied exactly? [closed]
Where should a period be placed when a sentence ends in a word that is meant to be copied exactly?
Contrived example: Let's say that my friend is house-sitting and I want to text them the password to ...
0
votes
1answer
233 views
Is having “a past” always refering to a bad history?
If someone has a past, does that always mean a bad history?
For example: is it appropriate to say "He is a photographer, with a painter's past" or it would be a bad introduction even in an informal ...
0
votes
0answers
30 views
Why do people use present tense when they are quoting someone? [duplicate]
I've heard and used this a lot but was wondering why and is it even correct.
When you are in a conversation with your mates and you are telling a story and when you try to quote someone, you say
"...
0
votes
1answer
6k views
Will/would be able to
My friend: I am ready to go to any country in the world if there's a treatment.
Me: There's a hospital in the US – they WOULD/WILL be able to treat this.
What's the difference between WOULD BE and ...
0
votes
1answer
110 views
How to ask to repeat a phrase?
If voice during phone conversation become gibberish, how to ask a person to repeat last words? I'm living in Cyprus and all local people when speak English just use 'tell me' for this. It this a ...
0
votes
1answer
321 views
Would it be possible to respond “Not” if someone ask me that “Do you ~”, or “Did you ~”?
Is it alright that I say just a word "Not." about the question starting with "Do you~?", or "Did you~?"? (Not Are you~?, Were you~?)
2
votes
0answers
48 views
How to shout to a stranger 80ft away to let her know that her cards have fallen onto the ground? [closed]
During my recent trip visiting U.S. I noticed a girl's credit card falling onto the ground. She was walking and did not notice this. The girl (maybe ~20 years old) was ~80ft away from me. I tried ...
0
votes
2answers
124 views
How would i ask for application process completed succesfully [closed]
We applied to International Revenue Service for obtaining ein for our new established USA based company, filled out and thereafter sent SS-4 form through fax and I need to check out on the phone ...
0
votes
1answer
3k views
Synonym for “sure” and “yes please”
When somebody suggests me something (maybe offering me something, or suggesting me for a proposal/plan), and I would like to show my agreement/approval for that. Instead of just saying "sure" or "yes ...
-1
votes
2answers
185 views
How to say “dulcet” in verbal English (or slang)?
For example, if somebody sitting next to me hummed or sang a song and I want to tell him that his song is dulcet, in a polite but informal manner (or even slang). How can I express that?
Should I ...
3
votes
1answer
93 views
My wife, I just have the one, is
A: Those are my wives
B: Well, my wife, I just have the one, ...
This conversation is taken from the series shameless, s07e03, min. 22:47.
What is the meaning of the definite article in B's ...
-1
votes
1answer
5k views
I am your friend. What about you?
I want to offer a friendship, where there is a cultural barrier that I need to respect; And there is a barrier in the other direction too - but less strong.
I want to offer the friendship by stating ...
1
vote
1answer
832 views
How to punctuate rhetorical question in an informal sentence?
I am writing a story where my character says something like, "It's been what? Twenty-five years? since I've seen you".
Now, how do I properly punctuate this in my sentence?
Do I use ellipses or ...
1
vote
1answer
86 views
Can “some couldn't know” be used to console somebody?
A : "Hey pal, I don't think I can go on anymore. I feel people around me are much greater than me. I feel I'm useless and nobody cares about me."
B : "Don't worry. It's okay. Some couldn't know." (= ...
1
vote
1answer
230 views
Word for not insignificant small talk?
From Merriam Webster small talk is defined as
"light or casual conversation"
However describing a conversation with my parents as small talk would indicate a shallow relationship.
Is there a word ...
1
vote
0answers
120k views
Best reply to “Have a nice weekend”?
Someone says: "Have a nice weekend!"
Which of these replies suits best? Consider saying this to a foreign person, not a friend:
"Same to you."
"You too."
"I wish you, too."
Feel free to post if ...
0
votes
2answers
127 views
Daily Conversation
John: May I speak to Ali please?
Father: _______________________________.
Yes, you may
Hold on please.
Some of my students give number 1 answer. I do not intend to accept number 1 as a valid answer ...
