Questions tagged [conversation]
For questions related to natural spoken conversations. Please use the dialogue tag for authored or scripted conversations
203
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What is the most suitable antonym for the word loud? [closed]
In terms of talking, what is the opposite of a loud voice?
For example, when someone is talking and I can not hear them properly, how can I say to them that their voice is very "opposite to loud&...
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2
votes
5
answers
229
views
"So I have learned."
Earlier today I found myself with the desire to use the expression: "So I have learned" in response to someone as a confirmation of recently gained knowledge. My question for you all is ...
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1
answer
43
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Did they end up going to the café first or straight to the library after the film according to the following dialogue? [closed]
M: I’ve got the cinema tickets. The film’s at 2:30 this afternoon and lasts about two hours. We could have a hot chocolate at the cafe after it.
W: That’d be nice, but I’ve got to get some ...
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1
vote
2
answers
85
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Provisioned for the weekend
What does it mean exactly? A friend asked me if I was "provisioned for the weekend," and as someone who knows English as a second language, I was scratching my head trying to figure out what ...
- 41
0
votes
2
answers
444
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 ...
- 131
0
votes
0
answers
66
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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 ...
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0
votes
0
answers
33
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 ...
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1
vote
0
answers
162
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
1
answer
65
views
Word for someone who always relates a topic of conversation back to their topic [duplicate]
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
1
answer
61
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
- 119
0
votes
0
answers
454
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
- 33
0
votes
1
answer
39
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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 ...
- 111
0
votes
2
answers
91
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 ...
- 111
0
votes
0
answers
4k
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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
0
answers
418
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, ...
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0
votes
4
answers
169
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 ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
600
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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 ...
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0
votes
2
answers
71
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 ...
- 103
3
votes
2
answers
2k
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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?
- 361
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votes
1
answer
78
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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 ...
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1
vote
0
answers
49
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"?
- 31
0
votes
1
answer
1k
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“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 )
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votes
1
answer
42
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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.
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0
answers
116
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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’
- 31
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0
answers
495
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?
- 31
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0
answers
726
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 ...
- 37
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0
answers
39
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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.
- 37
0
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1
answer
144
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 ...
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0
votes
1
answer
933
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 ...
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0
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1
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162
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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 "...
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1
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3
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6k
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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 ...
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1
answer
4k
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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 ...
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
479
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 ...
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vote
2
answers
104
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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.
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0
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3
answers
2k
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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 ...
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1
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85
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 ...
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0
votes
1
answer
340
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 ...
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0
votes
0
answers
31
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
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1
answer
9k
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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 ...
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0
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1
answer
132
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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 ...
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0
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1
answer
394
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~?)
user331542
2
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0
answers
51
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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 ...
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2
answers
283
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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
1
answer
5k
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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 ...
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2
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232
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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 ...
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3
votes
1
answer
100
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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 ...
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1
answer
6k
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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 ...
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1
vote
1
answer
1k
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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 ...
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1
vote
1
answer
89
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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." (= ...
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1
vote
1
answer
282
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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 ...
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