15. Congratulations on special days

It is common to use a special greeting used just for that occasion on special days, holidays and other special occasions. Here are some of the most common:

*birthday greetings : Happy birthday! Best wishes / Good luck on your thirtieth (age - use an ordinal number) birthday! Many happy returns!

* wedding / Anniversary greetings: Congratulations! Best wishes / good luck on your tenth (number - use an ordinal number) anniversary! Here's to many more happy years together (used when making a toast)

* special Holidays greetings: Merry Christmas! Happy New Year / Easter / All the best for a happy New Year / Easter

* special occasions greetings: Congratulations on your promotion! All the best for your… I'm so proud of you!

When making special greetings to children on their birthday and at Christmas, it is also common to ask them what they received.

Conversations

1. - Ann. good luck on your eighteenth birthday. - Thank you.

2. - Merry Christmas! What did you get from Santa Claus? 3. Happy Birthday! What did your Daddy get for you?

16. Talking on the phone

• when you are making the call

Asking for the person you want to speak to: Is ... there, please?

Can/may I speak to ..., please?

Saying who you are: It’s ... This is ... (more formal than It’s ...)

• when you are answering the call

Hello? In formal or business situations, you usually give your name, or the name of your company: Hello, R.W.Motors.

When the right person is there: One moment, please Hold on/Hang on (informal) I’ll just get him/her (informal) Speaking

(say this when you are the person they have asked for)

when the right person is not there: Sorry, he’s/she’s ... Can I take a message? Would you like to leave a message? Do you want to hold?

• saying goodbye

At the end of the conversation, it sounds rude if you suddenly say goodbye/bye, and put the phone down. People usually say something else first

Conversations

1. - Hello, is Ann there, please?

- One moment, please.

2. - Could I speak to Mr. Brown, please?

- Sorry, he’s at the meeting. Would you like to leave a message

3. - Is that Mary?

- Speaking.

4. - Well, I’d better go. I have to see my doctor.

- OK, see you soon, then.

- Yes, see you on Tuesday. Bye.

- Goodbye.

17. General words and phrases and some hints on conversing in English

* when you want to make your conversation sound more natural, less abrupt, you use Well So Just

*when you want to add something that you have just remembered

By the way Incidentally Talking about/ of That reminds me

These phrases are used to introduce suggestions, offers, requests and complaints, etc, when you want to sound casual, matter of fact.

*when you want to soften a statement or opinion, to avoid sounding dogmatic

As far as I know/ I (can) remember/ I can see

Personally Actually In a way It all depends

*when you want to make the statement general, you can use:

Generally/ in general/ as a (general) rule On the whole

The thing is (but NOT The matter is) You see can be used to introduce an explanation colloquially.

Such phrases as the following can also make your conversation sound more natural and idiomatic but they have very little meaning and should not be overused. Especially avoid repeating the same phrase too often.

You know I mean to say As a matter of fact Frankly speaking To tell the truth To cut a long story short

English people are reluctant to assert their opinions too forcefully, or express their feelings strongly, at least to strangers and mere acquaintances. It also leads them to play down the seriousness of their misfortunes and failures. These tendencies are reflected in the following conversational habits:

*wide use of such words as well, as a matter of fact and questions tags

* use of understatement

This is particularly desirable when speaking of one’s own possessions or achievements (to avoid seeming boastful).

Knowledge of what to say in a particular situation will make your conversation in English more pleasant and easy.

Tasks

1. Check your knowledge of the Ukrainian equivalents to these words:

1. reluctant a) зачекайте (у розмові по телефону)

2. understatement b) дурниці

3. boastful c) ні в якому разі

4. request d) неохочий

5. permission e) знайомий

6. apologizing f) стримане висловлювання, замовчування

7. rubbish g) прохання

8. no way h) хвальковитий

9. hold on/hang on i) вибачення

10. acquaintance j) дозвіл

2. Talk with your classmates on the following everyday situations: