Perfect Phrases for ESL: Conversation Skills, Premium Third Edition

345 Pages·2022·9.507 MB·English

by  Diane Engelhardt

PERFECT
PHRASES
™
for
ESL
Conversation Skills
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PERFECT
PHRASES
™
for
ESL
Conversation Skills
Premium Third Edition
Hundreds of Ready-to-Use Phrases That Help You
Express Your Thoughts, Ideas, and Feelings in English
Conversations of All Types
Diane Engelhardt
New York Chicago San Francisco Athens London Madrid
Mexico City Milan New Delhi Singapore Sydney Toronto
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Copyright © 2022, 2017, 2013 by Diane Engelhardt. All rights reserved. Except as permitted
under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or
distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the
prior written permission of the publisher.
ISBN: 978-1-26-428564-8
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Contents
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction: Who Can Benefit from
Using This Book? xv
Part 1 Phrases for Conversation
Chapter 1 Small Talk 3
Openers: Excuse Me . . . 5
Talking About Yourself 7
Showing Interest 8
Introducing Yourself 9
Breaking the Ice 11
Staying in Touch 13
Saying Good-Bye 14
Dialogue: Small World 16
Topics for Practice 18
Chapter 2 Past Experiences 20
Openers: Greetings 21
Greeting Friends and Acquaintances 22
Making Introductions 24
Catching Up 25
v
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vi ➜ Contents
Past Experiences 26
Transitions and Connectors 27
Discourse Markers 30
Enjoyment and Pleasure 32
Expressing Emotions 33
Ending the Conversation 34
Time Expressions 34
Dialogue: Long Time No See 35
Topics for Practice 37
Chapter 3 Likes, Dislikes, and Interests 39
Openers: Feeling Things Out 40
Likes 41
Dislikes 44
Preferences 48
Interests 49
Desires and Dependency 50
Indifference 51
Making Offers 51
Dates and Invitations 53
Expressing Emotions 56
Compliments 57
Dialogue: What’s for Dinner? 57
Topics for Practice 59
Chapter 4 Objects and Processes 62
Openers: Take a Look! 63
Describing Objects 64
Properties and Features 68
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Contents ➜ vii
Cost and Estimates 71
Use and Availability 73
Making Comparisons 74
Making Contrasts 78
Evaluations and Judgments 79
Giving Instructions 80
Expressing Emotions 83
Dialogue: The New Smartphone 84
Topics for Practice 86
Chapter 5 Problems and Advice 89
Openers: What’s Wrong? 90
Stating a Problem 91
Asking for Help or Advice 93
Identifying the Cause of a Problem 95
Sympathy and Understanding 96
Advice and Assistance 97
Appreciation and Gratitude 103
Making Someone Aware of a Problem 104
Complaints 105
Reassurances 106
Reluctance and Avoidance 109
Expressing Emotions 110
Dialogue: What’s the Matter? 112
Topics for Practice 114
Chapter 6 Decisions and Goals 117
Openers: What Are We Going to Do? 118
Options and Alternatives 119
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viii ➜ Contents
Reasons and Purpose 120
Advantages and Disadvantages 122
Making a Decision 124
Indecision and Hesitation 129
Setting Schedules and Deadlines 130
Goals and Plans 131
Encouragement, Recognition, and
Congratulations 133
Expressing Emotions 135
Dialogue: A Tough Decision 138
Topics for Practice 139
Part 2 Phrases for Discussions
Chapter 7 Opinions 145
Openers: Asking for an Opinion 147
Stating an Opinion 147
Value Judgments 149
Generalizations 150
Agreeing and Disagreeing 151
Supporting an Opinion 153
Figures and Statistics 155
Making an Argument 161
Solutions and Recommendations 164
Expressing Emotions 166
Dialogue: The Best Idea I’ve Heard So Far 167
Topics for Practice 169
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Contents ➜ ix
Chapter 8 Group Discussions 172
Openers: Opening the Floor 173
Leading a Discussion 174
Participating in a Group Discussion 177
Interruptions 181
Clarification and Explanations 183
Misunderstandings 185
Managing the Discussion 188
In Conclusion 191
Dialogue: The Holiday Party 193
Topics for Practice 195
Chapter 9 Serious Subjects 198
Openers: Common Concerns 200
Offering Solutions to General
Problems 201
Levels of Language 202
Direct vs. Indirect Language 202
Irony, Sarcasm, and Euphemism 206
Complaints and Demands 208
Rules and Conditions 212
Bad News and Good News 214
Causes and Consequences 216
Certainty and Possibility 218
Apologies and Agreements 220
Dialogue: A Hard Bargain 225
Topics for Practice 227
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