INTTERMEDIATE SUBJECT

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!

Bringing up a serious topic
o Can I talk to you for a minute?
o Do you have a minute?
o Got a minute?

REJOINDERS
Rejoinders are quick responses to show that you are interested or paying attention.
o (Oh) Really?
o That's interesting.
o Is that right?
Note how rejoinders are used in the following situations.
1. I just got a new job.
2. I lost my wallet yesterday. Oh really? That's great!
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.
2. Johnny is in the hospital.
3. I'm going to Hawaii.
You did?
He is?
You are?

GIVING OPINIONS
Asking for Opinions
o
What do you think?
o What's your opinion?
o What are your ideas?
o Do you have any thoughts on that?
o 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

DISCUSSION

o Well, my friends. In this occasion I want to express my opinion about ….Well….
o Alright, my brothers and sisters. Let me express my opinion about …..I think…..
o O.K. ladies and gentlemen. According to the expert of religion….why so? Because…
o Well, every body, after listening my friend’s explanation about...I’ve an idea to overcome…firstly…
o I'm happy to be here.
o I'm glad to have this opportunity to . . .
o Today, I'd like to talk (to you) about . . .
o My topic today is . . .
o The focus of my remarks is . . .
o I'd like to share some thoughts on (topic Let me start by . . .
o First, let me tell you about . . .
o I've divided my topic into (three) parts: (They are..)
o For instance,
o Let me illustrate,
o To illustrate,
o In conclusion,
o To conclude,
o To summarize,
o To sum up,
o That’s all my opinion about …..And I say thank you very much for your attention. Wassalamu’alaikum wr.wb.
o Thus ends my opinion, more or less I do hope my forgiven thank you so much, wass.wr.wb.
o Actually, I want to go on my explanation but because the time is so limited so I have to stop my explanation
o Thank you very much for your attention, was.wr.wb

The vocabularies of discussion
~ In this occasion : dalam kesempan ini
~ In this good opportunity : dalam kesempatan yang baik ini
~ I would like to express : aku akan mengemukakan
~ My opinion : pendapat saya
~ In my opinion : menurtut pendapat saya
~ I’m going to tell you about: saka akan menceritakan tentang
~ According to Mr.Alex : menurut Mr. Alex
~ Based on this fact : berdasarkan kenyataan ini
~ Actually : sebenarnya
~ hopefully : mudah mudahan
~ I agree with him : saya setuju dengan dia
~ Be louder : agak keras
~ As we know : seperti yang kita ketahui
~ The next : selanjutnya
~ The following turn : giliran, selanjutnya
~ It’s your turn : ini giliran mu
~ Don’t be silent : jangan diam saja
~ I admit that : saya mengakhui bahwa
~ Don’t be scared! : jangan takut
~ Don’t be doubt! : jangan ragu ragu
~ Don’t be hesitating! : jangan ragu
~ Pay attention please : silakan diperhatikan
~ Be quite : tenang
~ Don’t disturb me : jangan ganggu aku
~ As long as I know : sepanjang yang saya ketahui
~ As far as a know : sejahu yang yang ketahui
~ As good as possible : sebaik mungkin
~ As fair as possible : seadil mungkin
~ We have decided : kami telah memutuskan
~ The decision is : keputusannya adalah
Interruption
Usually, when someone gives his opinion, there is someone interrupts or cut while speaking. In addition, the speaker is angry because getting interruptions, the following are the correct English interruption. lets learning it together

Menginterupsi Dengan Sopan
 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?
Kembali Pada Topik Pembicaraan
 Anyway, - You were saying…
 Now, where was I? - To get back to…
 Where were we? - What we are saying…


AGREEING AND DISAGREEING
Agreeing
o I agree.
o So do I.
o Me too.
Me neither.
I don't either. (Agreeing about a negative idea.)
(Agreeing about a negative idea.)
o You're right.
o That's right.
o Good idea.
o I think that's a good idea.
Disagreeing
o I disagree.
o I don't think so.
o (No.) That's not right.
o Yes, but...
(I'm sorry, but) I don't agree
for these situations
Postive Agreement
If you agree with someone about an opinion, you can simply say "I agree" or "You're right." For example,
A: I think we need more time.
B: I agree. / You're right.
The words "so" and "too" are often used in expressions of positive agreement.
Note that "too" usually comes at the end of the sentence, and "so" at the beginning.
Remember to use "question order" with so.
For example,
A: I'm in a hurry.
B: So am I. / I am too. / Me too.
A: I need to go to the bathroom.
B: So do I. / I do too. / Me too.

Negative Agreement
For negative agreement, use neither in place of "so," and either in place of "too."
For example,
A: I'm not hungry.
B: Neither am I. / I'm not either.*
A: I don't have enough money anyway.
B: Neither do I. / I don't either.*
These expressions can also be used in the second or third person:
They're from Luxembourg.
So are we. / We are too.
Todd doesn't like spaghetti.
Neither does Louise. / Louise doesn't either.*
*Note that neither is used with "positive" verbs and either is used with "negative" verbs.
When no verb is used in negative agreements, "neither" is more common:
Neither do I.
I don't either.
Me neither.

Disagreeing
To express disagreement, you may simply say "I disagree" or "I don't think so." For example,
A: I think John Doe would make a great President.
B: I disagree. / I don't think so.
You may also disagree by stating the opposite opinion, sometimes stressing a word for emphasis.
A: I don't like chocolate ice cream.
B: Well, I do. / Well, I do.
Make simple statements about the following and have a
partner agree or disagree with you. Then switch roles.
1. Talk about today's weather.
2. Say what foods you like best.
3. Tell what you think about smoking.
4. Give an opinion about a current politician.
5. State your ideas about a controversial topic

ASKING FOR DETAILS
Wh- Questions can be used to ask for more information:
 What did you do over the weekend?
 Where did you go for Spring Break?
 How was your trip?
 When did you get back?
 What kind of things did you see?
 Who did you go with?
 How many people were there?
 Whose car did you drive?

When asking for details about a particular item you are considering buying, you can say
 Could you give me some information about this computer?
 Can you give me more details about that CD player?
 Could you tell me about this bookcase?
 What can you tell me about these blenders?

ASKING PERMISSION
Are commonly used for asking permission
o Can I ask you a question?
o May I have a piece of cake?
o Could I get you to turn off the lights

Some other common phrases are
o Do you mind if I smoke?
o Would you mind if I asked you something?
o Is it okay if I sit here?
o Would it be all right if I borrowed your lawn mower?

Giving Permission
o Sure.
o
Go ahead.
o No problem.
o Why not
o Don’t worry about it

ASKING FOR AND GIVING ADVICE
Asking for Advice
o What do you think I should do?
o What do you suggest?
o What would you do (in this situation)?

Giving Advice
o I think you should get a lawyer.
o Maybe you should try someplace else.
o Why don't you call the company?
o If I were you, I would tell her.

SEQUENCING

First,
Second,
Third,
Last, First of all,
Then,
Next,
Finally, To begin with,
Then,
Later,
In the end,

HYPOTHETICALLY
 What would you do if . . .
 Suppose . . .
 Imagine . . .

Present Hypothetical
 If I were rich, I would buy a bigger house.
 If I had a bigger house, I would invite my friends over.

Past Hypothetical
 If Jack had been there, he could have prevented the incident.
 If I had seen that movie, I would have cried.

Formal Hypothetical
 Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
 Had I been there, I might have been able to help.

MAKING SUGGESTIONS

Here are some phrases and expressions for making suggestions in English.
o I think you should . . .
o I don't think you should . . .
o Why don't you . . .
o Why don't we . . . (do something together)
o Let's . . .

 I think you should buy the blue one.
 I don't think you should sell your car.
 Let's go bowling tonight.
 Why don't we go skiing on Saturday?
 5. Why don't you come with me to China?  That's a good idea.
 Thanks for the advice, but I really need the money.
 Sorry, I can't. I'm meeting a friend for dinner.
 Sounds like a good idea. Where do you want to go?
 Thanks, but I've already been there.

Conversation Practice
With a partner, practice making suggestions in the following situations:
1. Help your partner decide which item to buy.
2. Warn your partner against doing something.
3. Suggest that your partner change his/her plans.
4. Help your partner make up his/her mind.
5. Suggest doing an activity together.
Sample conversations:
A: Should I buy the Porsche or the Ferrari?
B: I think you should buy the Ferrari.
A: Why is that?
B: Because I'd like to borrow it.
A: Why don't you give Daphne a call?
B: Good idea. I haven't seen her for awhile.
A: Maybe you should ask her out.
B: Hmmm. I'll think about it.

DISCUSSING SENSITIVE TOPICS
Bringing up a sensitive topic
o Can I talk to you for a minute?
o Can I ask you something?
o Do you mind if I ask you something?
o I need to talk to you for a minute.
o I have to tell you something.
o There's something I need to tell you.
o There's something I think you should know.
o We need to talk.
Prefacing a negative subject
o I don't mean to be rude, but . . .
o I hate to tell you this, but . . .
o
I don't know how to tell you this, but . . .
o You might not like what I have to say, but . . .
o I wish I didn't have to tell you this, but . . .
o This may be unpleasant, but . . .
o This may seem blunt, but . . .


ACCEPTING AND REFUSING
Accepting and refusing politely may depend on what you are asked. For example

Would you like some cake?
Yes, please.
Sure. Thanks
Okay. Thank you No, thank you
I'd better not.
No, but thanks for offering.
Would you like to go see a movie?
Okay. Sounds good.
Sure. I'd love to.
Yeah. Good idea No, I'd rather not.
I'm sorry, but I can't.
No, but thanks for inviting me.
How about some more pie?
All right. Thanks
Looks good. Thanks
Don't mind if I do. No, thanks.
I'm really full. Thanks anyway.
Looks delicious, but I'll have to pass.
How about going skiing this weekend?
Great. What time?
Sounds like fun.
All right. When and where? Sorry. I'm busy this weekend.
I don't think I can.
How about some other time?

 Yes, I’d be great fun
 Yes, I’d love to
 Thank you
 Yes, with pleasure
 That would be great fun
 If you don’t mind
 Thank you, but I’m afraid I’ve got another appointment
 I’m sorry, I’ve lost of work to do
 That’s very kind of you but I’m afraid I’m rather tired up



EXPRESSIONS FOR DESCRIPTION
Sentences:
 It is . . .
 This is something . . .
 It's something that you . . .
 You can (verb) it.
 You can (verb) with it.
 You can use it to (verb).
 It is used for V + ing.
 You need it for V + ing.
 You need/use it when . . .
 If you want/need to (verb), then you can . . .
Questions:
 Is it . . . ?
 What do you do with it?
 What is it made of?
 What is it used for?
 What's the difference between A and B?

INDIRECT REQUESTS AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE
Tell someone to do something
Please tell Crissy to clean up her room.
Could you tell Bob to call me?
Tell him not to do that.
Tell someone some information
Can you tell them (that) the party starts at nine?
Please tell Mr. Hopkins (that) I will be late.
Ask someone to do something
Please ask Teresa to give me a call.
Could you ask Russell to be here at five?
Ask someone for some information (Yes or No)
Ask Paula if she is coming to the party.
Could you ask them if they did the homework?
Please ask her whether she finished the assignment.
Ask someone for some information (Open ended)
Ask Randy what he is doing.
Please ask her when she will be here.
Would you ask him what he wants?
Will you ask them how much it costs?
TAG QUESTIONS
Tag questions are used when seeking confirmation of what one believes to be true. They restate, in question form, the previously spoken sentence. For example,
He is an engineer. Isn't he?
They're not from Colorado. Are they?
Zack is really tired. Isn't he?
She is going to Taiwan, isn't she?
You have never been to Las Vegas. Have you?
The Rays are playing the Jays. Aren't they?
You went to the supermarket. Didn't you?
Zane doesn't live in Missouri. Does he?
Ms. Zeller has a new car. Doesn't she? (Positive statement, negative tag)
(Negative statement, positive tag)
(Positive statement, negative tag)
(Positive statement, negative tag)
(Negative statement, positive tag)
(Positive statement, negative tag)
(Positive statement, negative tag)
(Negative statement, positive tag)
(Positive statement, negative tag)

In tag questions, the corresponding pronoun and the first verb of the corresponding yes/no question are used. Also, notice that with positive statements, negative tag questions are used and vice versa. See also:
Common mistakes:
You are the zookeeper. Yes
You're the zookeeper. Aren't you?
You come from Canada. No?
You come from Canada. Don't you?
You're the boss. Are you?
You're the boss. Are you?
Simon is from Singapore. Isn't it?
Simon is from Singapore. Isn't he? (Incorrect)
(Correct)
(Incorrect)
(Correct)
(Incorrect-in most situations)
(Correct)
(Incorrect)
(Correct)
Some modals can be used in tag questions: can, will, would, could, should and must.
Mr. James will be at the ceremony. Won't he?
They couldn't do it. Could they?
Note: When the subject is "I" and the statement is in present tense, aren’t commonly used for tag questions.
I'm the winner. Aren't I?
I'm the winner. Am I not? (Common usage)
(Formal)