Interrupting

Just a minute, could I just ask something?

Before you go on, could I say something?

Excuse me. Could I come in here?

Summarizing

So, to sum up …

We’ve agreed that …

Concluding

Unless you want to add anything, that’ll be all.

Well, I think that’s everything.

To my mind we achieved our aims.

Requests and offers

Requesting	Agreeing	Disagreeing
Could you possibly … (help me now)?	Yes, certainly/sure.	I’m sorry but that’s not possible.
Do you think you could …?	Yes, that’s no problem.	I’m afraid not …
Would you …?	Yes, of course.	I think that’ll be very difficult.
Could/Can you …, please?	Yes, I’ll do that.	Sorry, but …
Would you mind … (being interviewed)?	No, of course not.	I’m sorry, there’s a problem.
Do you mind … (taking a taxi)?	Not at all.	I’m afraid I do …
Let’s go, shall we?	Yes, let’s.	I’m afraid I’ll have to stay.
Bring me this document, will you?	(No answer is required)	I’m sorry but it’s just being typed.

Talks and presentations

Introducing the topic

I’m going to… / I’d like to …

The aim of my presentation is to …

I’ve divided my presentation into (two parts).

First, I’d like to …

Second, I’ll move on to …

Then I’ll focus on …

Finally, I’ll tell you about …

Referring to questions

Feel free to interrupt me if there’s anything you don’t understand.

If you don’t mind, we’ll leave questions till the end.

Introducing each section

So, let’s start with …

Now let’s move on to …

Let’s turn our attention to …

This leads me to …

Finally …

Summarizing a section

That completes my …

So, to summarize, …

Referring

I mentioned earlier …

I’ll say more about this later.

Checking understanding

Is that clear?

Are there any questions?

Referring to visual information

If you look at this picture you can see ...

This photo shows …

Referring to common knowledge

As you know …

As I’m sure you are aware …

Concluding

That concludes my talk.

That brings me to the end of my presentation.

If you have any questions, I’d be pleased.

Thank you for your attention.

Dealing with questions

That’s a good point.

I’m glad you asked that question.

I’m afraid I don’t have the information at present.

Supplement IX.

SONGS

FOREVER YOUNG

Bob Dylan

May God bless and keep you always, 

May your wishes all come true, 

May you always do for others 

And let others do for you. 

May you build a ladder to the stars 

And climb on every rung, 

May you stay forever young, 

Forever young, forever young, 

May you stay forever young. 

May you grow up to be righteous, 

May you grow up to be true, 

May you always know the truth 

And see the lights surrounding you. 

May you always be courageous, 

Stand upright and be strong, 

May you stay forever young, 

Forever young, forever young, 

May you stay forever young. 

May your hands always be busy, 

May your feet always be swift, 

May you have a strong foundation 

When the winds of changes shift. 

May your heart always be joyful, 

May your song always be sung, 

May you stay forever young, 

Forever young, forever young, 

May you stay forever young.

WHEN I’M SIXTY-FOUR

The Beatles

When I get older losing my hair, 

many years from now. 

Will you still be sending me a Valentine 

birthday greetings bottle of wine. 

If I’d been out till quarter to three 

would you lock the door. 

Will you still need me, will you still feed me, 

when I’m sixty-four? 

You’ll be older too, 

and if you say the word, 

I could stay with you. 

I could be handy, mending a fuse 

when your lights have gone. 

You can knit a sweater by the fireside 

Sunday morning go for a ride, 

doing the garden, digging the weeds, 

who could ask for more. 

Will you still need me, will you still feed me,

when I’m sixty-four? 

Every summer we can rent a cottage, 

in the Isle of Wight, if it’s not too dear 

we shall scrimp and save 

grandchildren on your knee 

Vera Chuck and Dave 

send me a postcard, drop me a line, 

stating point of view 

indicate precisely what you mean to say 

yours sincerely, wasting away 

give me your answer, fill in a form 

mine for evermore. 

Will you still need me, will you still feed me 

when I’m sixty-four?