General English:8
Unit 6 Building rapport
Grammar Giving more information
Giving more information
In a social situation, where you want to avoid giving a very short response,
you can add extra information using words like when.
A: Do you guys often go out for dinner?
B: Yes, when there‘s a special occasion, like a birthday.
To give a less positive answer, you can use a phrase like but only when.
A: Do you ever go to that park?
B: Yes, but only when it‘s not too cold.
You may choose to split but and only when.
A: Are you on Friendface?
B: Yes, but I don‘t use it much, only when I‘m bored.
You can also say what our normal behavior is and contrast it with exceptions.
A: Did you come in on the subway?
B: I usually do, but today it was sunny, so I walked.
A: Are you going to the staff party?
B: Maybe, but I don‘t generally like that kind of thing.
We hang out sometimes,when everyone‘s free.
I like that place,but only when it‘s not busy.
We go out for dinner when there‘s a special occasion.
I love to go to the park,but only when it‘s sunny.
He doesn‘t generally like that kind of thing.
She only bikes to work when it‘s not raining.
They do watch TV.but only when there‘s something good.
Expressions Comparing habits
Comparing habits
One way of building a relationship is to share what‘s similar or different between you and another person.
To show that you do the same thing as someone else, you can use phrases like these:
A: Are you on Friendface?
B: Yes, but I don‘t use it much, only when I‘m bored.
A: Right, yeah. Me, too.
A: Do you usually go out for lunch?
B: Sometimes, if it‘s sunny.
A: Umm, I do the same.
Use me, too to agree with a positive statement. For a negative one, use I don‘t either.
A: Are you going to the staff party?
B: Maybe, but I don‘t really like that kind of thing.
A: Uh-huh, I know what you mean. I don‘t either.
You can introduce the idea that you do things differently by adding actually to your sentence.
A: Did you come in on the subway?
B: I usually do, but today I walked. It‘s a nice day.
A: Nice day, yeah. Actually, I never walk. Too lazy.
No, thank you. Actually, I‘m trying to save money.
You really don‘t like the subway. I don‘t either.
You bring your lunch every day? I do the same.
Listening Positive Listening
Words you can use when you‘re listening
You can use words and sounds like right, um and uh-huh to show that you understand or agree with what is being said
A: Are you on Friendface?
B: Yes, but I don‘t use it much, only when I‘m bored.
A: Right, yeah. Me, too.
A: Do you usually go out for lunch?
B: Sometimes, if it‘s sunny.
A: Umm, I do the same.
A: Are you going to the staff party?
B: Maybe, but I don‘t really like that kind of thing.
A: Uh-huh, I know what you mean. I don‘t either.
You can also repeat part of what someone has said to show that you get the key idea.
A: Did you come in on the subway?
B: I usually do, but today I walked. It‘s a nice day.
A: Nice day, yeah. Actually, I never walk. Too lazy.
Right,yeah.I might do the same.