Lesson III : Basic Conversation

The point is that + (subject + verb)

By stating 'the point is' you are stating in your opinion the meaning about what is actually happening.

Here are some examples:

"The point is that if you study you will do well in school."
"The point is that she does not understand."
"The point is that we need this done today."
"The point is that the world would be a better place."
"The point is that we should help."
"The point is that snakes can be dangerous."
"The point is that leaving a baby alone is not a good idea."
"The point is that if we do not leave now we will be late."

"The point is that she needs to be more responsible."
"The point is that we need to work together.

Lesson II: Basic Conversation

I'm thinking of + (verb-ing)

'Thinking' refers to a process of thought, forming an opinion or judgment. When expressing 'I am thinking of' you are letting someone know what you are personally thinking.

Here are some examples:

"I'm thinking of checking out the new movie."
"I'm thinking of filming my vacation."
"I'm thinking of following a healthy diet."
"I'm thinking of handing out flyers describing our business."
"I'm thinking of increasing my work load."
"I am thinking of introducing myself to him."
"I am thinking of launching a new website."
"I am thinking of moving to a new city."
"I am thinking of offering her the position."
"I am thinking of opening up a store."

I'm working on + (noun)

'I'm' is a contraction for the words 'I am.' The phrase 'working on' relays a physical or mental effort towards an accomplishment.

Here are some examples:

"I'm working on a big project."
"I'm working on training my dog."
"I'm working on making new friends."
"I'm working on educating myself."
"I'm working on my homework."
"I am working on painting a house."
"I am working on a new idea."
"I am working on my computer."
"I'm working on my website."

I wish I could + (verb)

You are expressing a desire to do something.

Here are some examples:

"I wish I could sing better."
"I wish I could settle the argument."
"I wish I could sail around the world."
"I wish I could remain calm during all of this."
"I wish I could remember his name."
"I wish I could replace my old car with a new one."
"I wish I could play outside."
"I wish I could go to the game with you."
"I wish I could write better."
"I wish I could own my own business."

It's my turn to + (verb) The word 'It's' is a contraction of the words 'it is.' When stating 'my turn' you are telling someone that it is time to change position or position focuses on to you. Here are some examples: "It's my turn to walk you home." "It's my turn to do laundry." "It's my turn to work late." "It's my turn to take out the trash." "It's my turn to choose where we eat." "It is my turn to pay for dinner." "It is my turn to roll the dice." "It is my turn to provide an answer." "It is my turn to try and play the game." "It is my turn to attempt solving the problem." Are you into + (noun) Here you are asking a question about an interest they might have or something they might enjoy doing. Here are some examples: "Are you into soccer?" <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> "Are you into working out at home or at the gym?" "Are you into scary movies?" "Are you into playing games?" "Are you into jogging?" "Are you into painting?" "Are you into traveling?" "Are you into fixing cars?" Thank you for Saying 'thank you' is telling someone you appreciate what they have done. This can either be something they did for you or for someone else. Here are some examples: "Thank you for inviting me." "Thank you for helping me move." "Thank you for informing me about the job opening." "Thank you for mailing that package for me." "Thank you for working so hard." "Thank you for stopping by to visit." "Thank you for replying to my email." "Thank you for providing me with the answers." "Thank you for heating up dinner." "Thank you for hurrying to get here."

Lesson I: Basic Conversation

I'm looking forward to When telling someone that you are 'looking forward to' you are saying that you are waiting or hoping for something, especially with pleasure. Here are some examples: "I'm looking forward to meeting you." "I'm looking forward to talking with you." "I'm looking forward to going on vacation." "I'm looking forward to spending time with my family." "I'm looking forward to learning the English language." "I am looking forward to visiting another country." "I am looking forward to having a family." "I am looking forward to graduating from college." "I am looking forward to watching the baseball game." "I am looking forward to running in a race."

I would like to + (verb)

This sentence lets someone know what you would be interested in doing. This can be a physical, mental or verbal action.

Here are some examples:

"I would like to answer that question."
"I would like to compete in a cooking contest."
"I would like to explain myself."
"I would like to invite you over."
"I would like to practice."
"I would like to become a doctor."
"I would like to see you more often."
"I would like to thank you."
"I would like to learn about animals."
"I would like to meet the President.

I'd rather + (verb)

'I'd' is a contraction of the words 'I had' or 'I would.'

When using it with the word 'rather' you are suggesting you would like to do or prefer one thing more than another.

Here are some examples:

"I'd rather talk about this later."
"I'd like to eat at home than go get fast food."
"I'd rather ski than snowboard."
"I'd rather stay late than come in early tomorrow."
"I'd rather handle the problem myself."
"I had rather go home than stay out too late."
"I had rather listen to my parents or get in trouble."
"I would rather exercise than sit on the couch all day."
"I would rather complete my task early."
"I would rather know the answer."

English Conversation 1

http://www.talkenglish.com/LessonDetails.aspx?ALID=522

Greeting - Example Conversations

Let's look at several example conversations. Then we can move on to the practice section.

Person A: "Hi, my name is Steve. It's nice to meet you."
Person B: "I'm Jack. It's a pleasure to meet you, Steve."
Person A: "What do you do for a living Jack?"
Person B: "I work at the bank."

Person A: "What is your name?"
Person B: "Jackson."
Person A: "What was that again?"

Person A: "Hey John, how have you been?"
Person B: "What a surprise. I haven't seen you in a long time. How have you been?"
Person A: "I'm doing very well. How about you?"
Person B: "I finally have some free time. I just finished taking a big examination, and I'm so relieved that I'm done with it."

Person A: "Hi Nancy, what have you been up to?"
Person B: "The same ole same ole." Or, "The same as usual. How about you?"
Person A: "I'm pretty busy at work these days, but otherwise, everything is great."

Person A: "Andy, it's been a long time, how are you man?"
Person B: "What a surprise. I haven't seen you in a long time. How have you been?"
Person A: "Do you come to this restaurant often?"
Person B: "I've been here a couple of times, but I don't come on a regular basis.

Ice-breakers

"Where are you from?"
"What high school did you attend?"


"How many credits are you taking this semester?"
"What classes are you taking?"
"What year are you?"

"Where is the best place to hang out?"

"Where do you live?"
"Why did you decide to come to this school?"
"What made you choose YMCA?"

Conversation on weather

You've got to drink a lot of fluids.

It's such a hot day that the two people in the conversation below just want to stay at home and spare themselves the worst of the heat. Winnie: Oh, man!  Nobody can stand this kind of scorching heat.  Marc: Tell me about it!  You can't even stay in the sun for five minutes. Winnie: You'll be scorched like a shrivelled plant. Marc: Or like a shrivelled old man! Winnie: I like your humor, Marc.  Anyway, I guess this afternoon there's nothing we can do but stay home. Marc: I guess so.  I don't want to be taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion or sunstroke or something.  Winnie: You want my advice?  Drink a lot of liquids and spare yourself the worst of the heat! Marc: Yeah, you're right.  Got to drink a lot of fluids.  Do we have any beer? Winnie: Yes!  Do you want Coors Light or Corona?  Marc: Do you have any Bud or Michelobe? In the dialogue below, Gary and Sharon are complaining about how hot the weather is today.... Gary: Oh, my!  It's really hot!  I've never seen such scorching weather in my life! Sharon: Tell me about it.  It's like the whole world is broiling. Gary: Oh, look at the thermometer!  The temperature has hit 98!  Sharon: I hope it's not gonna break into three digits! Gary: But it's already awfully close!  Sharon: Well, I just hope it'll level off. Gary: I guess we can't do anything until after dark then. Sharon: I guess so.  What else can we do?  You can't stay in the heat for long! A drought has just set in and the two people in the dialogue below are very concerned... Sally: I think a drought has set in.  It hasn't rained a drop for months. Ethan: I think so, too, but didn't it rain last month? Sally: It did rain last month, but the rainfall was only half the monthly average. Ethan: Oh.  That bad?!  Sally: That's right.  It's really bad.  I'm really concerned though not panicked yet.  Ethan: I don't blame you.  The pastures have browned out even before the summer hasn't arrived. Sally: Yeah, and the soil has been baked so hard that the plow can't even break the soil.  Ethan: Looks like it's going to be an ongoing thing that would get worse each day. Sally: Yeah.  If it doesn't rain, it's going to get critical. [Radio broadcasting: ...Temperatures have today reached a record 102 degrees and may well hit 110 tomorrow. Much more distressing, experts say, is that a drought has set in remarkably early and shows no sign of letting up soon....The ground is still parched from last year's drought – crops, plants and trees are being crippled at their most vulnerable time...] Anna: Did you hear that?  The drought conditions are severe!  There's a lot of death, dying, and suffering out there! Rose: I heard that, but it's not surprising actually, 'cause we haven't had as much rain as normal this year. Anna: Well, if it could rain even a drop, things would be much better!  And my flowers in the garden would come back in a heartbeat. Rose: I guess you might have to quit watering your garden.  I heard that they are going to start rationing water.  In fact, this morning I happened to hear on the radio that the reservoir had dipped below half its capacity this month and the volume of water entering the reservoir is the smallest in fifty years. Anna: Really!  I thought that might happen.  Great!  There go my vegetables!   Rose: I guess so.  But think about Africa.