Ask for some everyday English

The waiter may ask:

What can I do for you?

How can I help you?

How was your day?

Can I be of any help to you?

How was your day?

Do you want a sample today?

A customer may say something to express what he wants:

Sure, I think I want it. . .

I think I want it. . .

Yes, I want it. . .

Can I have it? . .

I would appreciate it if you could. . .

When serving food to customers:

Here you are.

Have a nice day!

Have a nice day!

When the service staff thanked the customers for shopping, they said

If you say "thank you", customers will say "thank you".

The most commonly used sentences on the phone

Call:

Is Yang there? (most commonly used)

Is Yang there? (not commonly used)

Hello, is Yang there, please?

Hello, is Yang there, please?

If it were me:

This is him. (male)

This is her. (Female)

I am Lin Kun (your name).

You're talking to him. (she)

You're talking to him.

If it's someone else:

Hold on. (most common)

I'll get him. Please wait a moment.

Wait a minute, let me see if he is here.

Please wait a moment.

If he happens to be out:

No, he's out. (most common)

No, he's not here. Can I take a message?

No, he isn't.

No, he's not here.

No, he just went out and will be back in 30 minutes.

If the person he is looking for is not here:

Do you know when he will come back?

Do you know where he is going?

Do you know where I can find him?

Do you know his office number? (or work place number)

Answer:

No, I'm sorry, I don't know! (50%)

I don't know. (49%)

Yes, his telephone number is 404- 123-4567.

If you want to leave a message:

Can I leave a message?

Answer:

Sure, go ahead.

Wait a minute, I'll get a pen and paper.

Error number:

Is this Wachovia Bank?

Answer:

No, I'm afraid you have the wrong number.

What number did you dial?

What number are you calling?

End the conversation:

Thank you. Have a nice day.

When you can't hear clearly:

What?

Excuse me.

Excuse me?

Say it again?

Say what?

What did you say?

In a restaurant.

1. What would you like to eat? what would you like to eat?

Are you ready to order? Are you ready to order?

I want some steak and bread. I want steak and bread.

4. What would you like for dessert? What would you like for dessert?

I want some ice cream. I want ice cream.

6. Do you want some fruit? Do you want some fruit?

7. Yes, please. I want an apple. Yes, I want an apple.

8. Would you like something to drink? Something to drink?

9. A small whisky, please. A small whisky, please.

10. This is your food. Here comes your food.

Please bring the bill. Please pay the bill.

12. Can I pay by check or credit card? Can I use a check or a credit card?

13. Sorry, we only accept cash. Sorry, we only accept cash.

14. Here you are.

15. Here is your change. Your change.

Buy movie tickets

May I have two tickets for Finding Nemo?

All right. What time?

2: 30, please.

Please pay 50 dollars.

Sorry, we have student cards. We can get a discount on these, can't we?

Of course. Please pay 30 dollars.

Here's 30 dollars.

Asking about the route

You (a) have just arrived in a city and don't know where the train station is. Ask someone (b):

Excuse me, can you tell me the way to the railway station? Can you tell me how to get to the railway station?

B: Go straight along this street, turn left at the first crossing, and then go straight for about 100 meters. You can't miss it. Go straight along this street, turn left at the first crossing, and then continue walking 100 meters, and you will arrive at the railway station.

A: How long will it take to get there? About how long will it take to get there?

I think it takes about 10 minutes to walk. It takes about ten minutes to walk.

I see. Is there a bus I can take? I see. Can I go by bus?

Yes, you can take the No.5 bus over there. Get off at the next stop. Yes, you can take the No.5 bus there and get off at the next stop.

I really appreciate your help. I really appreciate your help.

B: It's my pleasure. You're welcome.