Questions tagged [conversation]
For questions related to natural spoken conversations. Please use the dialogue tag for authored or scripted conversations
195
questions
0
votes
1answer
23 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
46 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
47 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
25 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
3answers
77 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
45 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
62 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
397 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
63 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
44 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
116 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
34 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
48 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
64 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
126 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
123 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 ...
1
vote
4answers
80 views
“of” vs“in” which preposition is more suited in the below context?
which one is more suitable to use and why :
1- There is a stoppage in the development
2- There is a stoppage of the development
Example sentence:
He suffers from a stoppage in/of physical ...
0
votes
0answers
25 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
62 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
66 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
122 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
229 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
872 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
75 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
58 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
562 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
73 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
138 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
28 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
3k 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
103 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
236 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
47 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
77 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
2k 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
146 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
90 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 ...
-3
votes
1answer
115 views
How can I improve my speaking? [closed]
When I speak I use a small vocabulary, even though I know a lot more than that. Those words tend to be vague and boring. I know other alternatives for those words, although it doesn't come out ...
1
vote
1answer
611 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
85 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
217 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
88k 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
126 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 ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the difference between didn’t get to sleep and “toss and turn”? [closed]
I saw this saying in a conversation book:
I didn’t get to sleep for two or three hours. Then after that I tossed and turned all night.
And I’ve consulted Merriam Webster dictionary.
Doesn’t “toss ...
0
votes
1answer
2k views
If I were you or if i was you? [duplicate]
I think they both acceptable, but which one you recommend me to use in conversation.
If he were/was an elephant.
Isn't were sounds too formal/oldfashioned?
1
vote
1answer
5k views
Difference between saying basically and essentially?
I've observed that the word "basically" is not appreciated by any of my professors, specifically in the writing context (as opposed to in conversation).
Is saying (writing) "essentially" a more ...
0
votes
1answer
3k views
What does “Sunny Greetings” mean when starting a conversation?
Recently I met a new friend who uses the message "Sunny Greetings" every time we start a conversation, especially via message.
What makes this word "Sunny" becomes appropriate?
Will it depend on any ...
2
votes
3answers
7k views
What phrase do you use instead of “Nice to meet you” when the two of you have already met but [closed]
I'm not a native English speaker. I would like to know what phrase can be used instead of
"Nice to meet you"
when the two of you have already met but this just happens to be the first time you ...
0
votes
1answer
2k views
what's the difference between “artificial” and “man-made”?
My colleagues and I started a conversation about skiing.
I told them about my last year trip to a mountain but unfortunately there wasn't any snow at all. People there managed to make some artificial ...
