Illustrative Examples

1.-Would you like a cup of coffee?

-Yes, please.

2.-Would you like some chocolate?

-No, thank you. I'm trying to cut down on (= eat fewer) sweet things.

3. -Have a sandwich. (Taking one) -Thank you.

4. -Help yourself to salad.

-Thank you very much. It looks delicious.

5. -Do have some of this cake. I made it myself.

-Thank you, but I really can't eat any more.

6. -Would you like some more meat?

-No, thank you. I've got plenty.

7. -Would you like some of my home-made jam?

-That would be very nice.

8. Have an apple.

(Taking one) - Thank you.

9. - Would you like some more potatoes?

-No, thank you. I'm slimming.

10.-Do have one of these chocolates. They’re delicious. -Thank you very much, but I'm not very keen on sweet things.

11.-Here's the train timetable.

- Oh, thank you.

12.-Here are the figures you asked for.

-Thank you very much.

Exercise l. Offer the following things to the person mentioned in brackets.

1. a sweet (to a fellow-student);

2. some chocolate (to your sister);

3. a glass of wine (to your neighbour who drops in to see you);

4. some orange juice (to a friend in a snack bar);

5. a sandwich (to a friend on a picnic);

6. some grapes (to a friend who has come to see you at home);

7. a piece of cake (to a guest whom you know only slightly);

8. some jam (to an elderly relative who is staying with you);

9. another cup of tea (to a colleague who is visiting you);

10. a biscuit (to a neighbour who is having coffee with you);

11. a book (to a friend who asked you to bring it);

12. an ice-cream (to a tourist to whom you are acting as a guide);

13. an orange (to your small niece);

14. another pancake (to your boy- friend at a party);

15. some salad (to your brother’s wife. They’re having supper with you).

16. some keys (to a colleague who has asked for them).

Exercise 2. Reply to the following offers; (a) accepting, (b) refusing politely.

1. Would you like a cup of tea?

2. Do have some of this cake. It's delicious.

3. Have an apple.

4. Help yourself to vegetable salad.

5. Would you like some of my home-made wine?

6. Have one of these pies.

7. Would you like some cheese?

8. Will you have some fruit salad?

9.Have some more strawberries.

10. Do have another piece of cake.

XIV. T H A N K S

1. Discussion

There are various ways of thanking people besides simply “Thank you” and “Thanks’. Here are the most common:

Thank you.

Thank you very/so much/ ever so much/ very much indeed.

Thanks.

Thanks a lot / awfullv.

Many thanks. - rather formal

I don't know how to thank you/ I can never thank you enough. - if someone has done exceptional.

I’m very grateful (to you).

That's/It's very/awfully kind of you. - formal, semi-formal.

How kind of you.

(I’m) much obliged (to you). - used mainly by shop assistants.

Possible replies are:

Not at all.

You’re welcome,

(Oh,) that's all right.

(Oh,) that's OK. - informal, casual

Don't mention it. - more emphatic. Rather formal

It's nothing. - informal, semi-formal

Think nothing of it. - informal, casual

It's a pleasure. - only for things involving some time and trouble.

When someone thanks us for hospitality, saying, fox example, ‘Thank you for a wonderful meal”^”or “for a most enjoyable evening”, we can say:

I’ m glad you enjoyed it/ you were able to come.

Thank you for coming.

When someone thanks us for a present, we can say:

I'm glad you like it.

Illustrative Dialogues

1.Thanks for Information (formal, semi-formal)

Jean: Could you tell me the time, please?

Passer-by: Yes, it's ten past nine. Jean: Thank you.

Passer-by: You're welcome.

2.Thanks for Hospitality (informal, semi-formal)

John: It's about time we made a move. Ruth: Really? Can't you stay a bit longer?

John: I'm afraid not. You see, we promised our baby­-sitter we'd be back by twelve at the latest.

Ruth: I see. What a pity.

Sheila (John's wife): Thank you for a lovely meal.

Ruth: I'm glad you enjoyed it. You must come again some time.

3.Thanks for a Birthday Present (informal, semi-formal)

Ann: Happy birthday, Catherine.

David: Many happy returns of the day.

Cath: Thank you. (David gives her a bunch of flowers.)

What beautiful flowers! Thank you very much.

Ann: And here's your present.

Cath: Oh, thank you. (She unwraps it.) Oh, a hair­-drier! Just what I wanted.Thank you ever so much.

Ann: I'm glad you like it.

4. Jill thanks her neighbour for helping her move into her new flat (semi-formal)

Jill: Thank you so much for all you've done.

Brian: Don’t mention it. I'm glad I was able to help.

Jill: I don't know what I should have done without you.

Brian: It's nothing, really.

Jill: Well, I hope you'll come to my flat-warming party.

Brian: That's very kind of you.

Jill: I'll let you know when I've fixed the date. Well, thank you again for your help.

Brian: It's a pleasure. Good-bye.