Ex. II Read and translate the information about gratitude and apology.

Thanking

1 Formal

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Here’s your bag.— Thank you.

I hope you have a good journey.— Thank you very much.

2. Informal

Thanks.

Have a good time.— Thanks.

The less “safe” many thanks and thanks a lot are also often heard.

Thank you for... Thanks for...

Thank you for your help.

Thanks for the ride.

Thanks for the tip. (= advice)

Thanks for everything.

Thank you so much for a lovely party.

If you have been staying with people in Britain it’s customary to write them a letter of thanks — the British still use the letter-box more than the phone.

Replies to thanks

The “safest” expression to use is:

Not at all

Other phrases you may hear are:

Thank you for all the trouble you’ve taken.—Not at all.

Don’t mention it.

That’s all right.

It’s a pleasure

You’re welcome (American)

If you are not sure what to say, just smile.

Please

Please is hardly ever used on its own.

Please is used a great deal added to a phrase when you want something or want someone to do something (whereas thanks is used especially when you’ve been given something):

Would you pass the sugar, please?

Could you tell me the time, please?

Would you please come this way?

Sit down, please.

Please sit down.

As an answer

Would you like some coffee? — Yes, please.

- No, thank you.

- No, thanks.

Don’t use please when you give something.

1. If you are offering something that has not been asked for, mention the thing (to attract the other person’s attention), smiling at the same time:

Have you seen today’s paper?

Would you like a cigarette?

Chocolate? (high rising intonation)

I’ve brought some flowers for you.

I thought you might like these (of flowers, fruit, etc.)

2. If the thing has been asked for, say:

Here you are.

Could I have a light, please? — Yes, here you are.

Would you pass the salt, please.— Here you are.

There you are is also sometimes used:

Could you lend me your key, please? — There you are.

Ex. III Read and translate the following dialogues.

I

Stephen and Mary Newby are going to drive Paul Bartlett over to the airport.

Steve: Let’s put your bags in the back.— Good. Jump in.

Mary. Have you had any lunch, Paul?

Paul: Yes, thanks.

Steve: Then we’ll drive straight over to the airport.

Mary: Here’s a copy of “Time” — I thought you might like to have a

look at it on the plane.

Paul: Thank you very much.

Paul: Look, there’s no need for you to hang around here—it may be

ages before the plane leaves.

Mary: Well, I do hope you’ll have a good journey.

Paul: Thank you Mary.

Steve: Goodbye Paul, and all the best.

Paul: Goodbye, and thanks for everything.

II

Mr Rhodes comes back late from work and talks to his land­lady.

Mr Rhodes: I’m ‘sorry I’m so -late. Had a lot of work at the shop.

Landlady: That’s all right. I kept your dinner hot. Have you seen today’s

paper?

Mr Rhodes: I’m afraid I haven’t had time.

Landlady: It says the price of petrol’s going up.

Mr Rhodes: Pardon?

Landlady: I said it says the price of petrol’s going up.

Mr Rhodes: Oh, ‘really?