Our inner world shapes the way we connect with other people. A few well-chosen words can show that we care, help us clear up confusion, make someone feel appreciated or repair a difficult moment. Read and listen to short dialogues and notice the phrases people use to respond in different situations.
Showing Interest and Concern
Sophie: I nearly gave up on my photography course yesterday.
Ben: Really? What happened?
Sophie: We had to show our photos to the whole group, and I completely lost my confidence when it was my turn.
Ben: Oh, dear ... I’m sorry to hear that.
Sophie: I thought everyone would notice how nervous I was.
Ben: I can understand why you feel that way. What happened next?
Sophie: My teacher asked me to take a minute and then try again. This time, I explained the story behind one of my photos, and people actually started asking questions about it.
Ben: Oh, I see. That sounds interesting. Tell me more about it.
Sophie: The photo was of an old railway station near my grandparents’ house. I’ve decided to create a whole series about places that are slowly disappearing.
Ben: Really? That’s a great idea.
Sophie: Thanks. I’m still a little embarrassed about what happened at the beginning, though.
Ben: Oh, I’m sorry. But one difficult moment doesn’t mean the whole presentation went badly. It sounds like you handled it really well in the end.
Ben: Really? What happened?
Sophie: We had to show our photos to the whole group, and I completely lost my confidence when it was my turn.
Ben: Oh, dear ... I’m sorry to hear that.
Sophie: I thought everyone would notice how nervous I was.
Ben: I can understand why you feel that way. What happened next?
Sophie: My teacher asked me to take a minute and then try again. This time, I explained the story behind one of my photos, and people actually started asking questions about it.
Ben: Oh, I see. That sounds interesting. Tell me more about it.
Sophie: The photo was of an old railway station near my grandparents’ house. I’ve decided to create a whole series about places that are slowly disappearing.
Ben: Really? That’s a great idea.
Sophie: Thanks. I’m still a little embarrassed about what happened at the beginning, though.
Ben: Oh, I’m sorry. But one difficult moment doesn’t mean the whole presentation went badly. It sounds like you handled it really well in the end.
Expressions:
Oh, dear ... — used to react with concern, sympathy or mild surprise when someone tells you about a problem or unpleasant situation
Oh, I’m sorry ... — used to show sympathy when someone tells you about something upsetting, disappointing or unpleasant
Really? — used to show surprise or strong interest and encourage the other person to continue
Oh, I see — used to show that you now understand what the other person means or why something happened
That sounds interesting — used to show that something another person has described seems interesting to you
Tell me more about it — used to encourage someone to give more information about something they have mentioned
What happened next? — used to ask how a story or situation continued
I’m sorry to hear that — used to express sympathy after hearing about something unpleasant, disappointing or upsetting
I can understand why you feel that way — used to show empathy and to say that the other person’s feelings are understandable in the situation
Oh, I’m sorry ... — used to show sympathy when someone tells you about something upsetting, disappointing or unpleasant
Really? — used to show surprise or strong interest and encourage the other person to continue
Oh, I see — used to show that you now understand what the other person means or why something happened
That sounds interesting — used to show that something another person has described seems interesting to you
Tell me more about it — used to encourage someone to give more information about something they have mentioned
What happened next? — used to ask how a story or situation continued
I’m sorry to hear that — used to express sympathy after hearing about something unpleasant, disappointing or upsetting
I can understand why you feel that way — used to show empathy and to say that the other person’s feelings are understandable in the situation
Emma: I finally finished the display for the school exhibition. What do you think?
Daniel: Wow — it looks fantastic! I really like the way you’ve organised everything.
Emma: Thanks! I changed the layout three times before I was happy with it.
Daniel: Well, I think it’s brilliant. You’ve done a great job.
Emma: That means a lot. I wasn’t sure whether the photos and colours worked well together.
Daniel: They definitely do. I really like what you’ve done. It looks professional without being too formal.
Emma: I wanted it to feel personal, so I included some of my own photographs as well.
Daniel: That was a great choice. I’m impressed with your work. You should be proud of that.
Emma: Thank you! I’m actually starting to feel quite proud of it now.
Daniel: And by the way, is that a new jacket?
Emma: It is. I wasn’t sure about the colour.
Daniel: Keep it — that really suits you.
Daniel: Wow — it looks fantastic! I really like the way you’ve organised everything.
Emma: Thanks! I changed the layout three times before I was happy with it.
Daniel: Well, I think it’s brilliant. You’ve done a great job.
Emma: That means a lot. I wasn’t sure whether the photos and colours worked well together.
Daniel: They definitely do. I really like what you’ve done. It looks professional without being too formal.
Emma: I wanted it to feel personal, so I included some of my own photographs as well.
Daniel: That was a great choice. I’m impressed with your work. You should be proud of that.
Emma: Thank you! I’m actually starting to feel quite proud of it now.
Daniel: And by the way, is that a new jacket?
Emma: It is. I wasn’t sure about the colour.
Daniel: Keep it — that really suits you.
Expressions:
It looks fantastic! — used to give a strong compliment about the appearance of something
I think it’s brilliant — used to express strong approval of an idea, result or piece of work
You’ve done a great job — used to praise someone for doing something very well
That really suits you — used to say that something, especially clothes, a colour or a style, looks good on someone
I really like what you’ve done — used to show strong approval of someone’s work, idea or result
You should be proud of that — used to tell someone that their achievement is something they can feel proud of
I’m impressed with your work — used to show that someone’s work has made a very positive impression because of its quality
That really suits you — used to say that something, especially clothes, a colour or a style, looks good on someone
I really like what you’ve done — used to show strong approval of someone’s work, idea or result
You should be proud of that — used to tell someone that their achievement is something they can feel proud of
I’m impressed with your work — used to show that someone’s work has made a very positive impression because of its quality
Lena: I sent in my exchange programme application this morning.
Tom: You did? That’s great! How are you feeling about it?
Lena: Relieved, mostly. I nearly didn’t apply at all.
Tom: Really? Why not?
Lena: I kept thinking I didn’t have enough experience. Then you suggested writing about the volunteer project instead of trying to make everything sound impressive.
Tom: I just thought it showed more about who you are.
Lena: That’s a good point. And honestly, I really appreciate your suggestion. The application sounded much more like me after I changed it.
Tom: I’m glad. You had all the ideas already — you just needed to trust them a bit more.
Lena: Maybe. And thanks for taking the time to help me with it yesterday. I know you had other things to do.
Tom: It was fine. I wanted to help.
Lena: You even stayed after everyone else had left to read the final version. That was very kind of you.
Tom: Well, I know how much this opportunity matters to you.
Lena: It really does. And having someone encourage me when I was ready to give up — that means a lot to me.
Tom: Then you’d better tell me as soon as you hear back.
Lena: Definitely. And seriously, I really appreciate your help.
Tom: You did? That’s great! How are you feeling about it?
Lena: Relieved, mostly. I nearly didn’t apply at all.
Tom: Really? Why not?
Lena: I kept thinking I didn’t have enough experience. Then you suggested writing about the volunteer project instead of trying to make everything sound impressive.
Tom: I just thought it showed more about who you are.
Lena: That’s a good point. And honestly, I really appreciate your suggestion. The application sounded much more like me after I changed it.
Tom: I’m glad. You had all the ideas already — you just needed to trust them a bit more.
Lena: Maybe. And thanks for taking the time to help me with it yesterday. I know you had other things to do.
Tom: It was fine. I wanted to help.
Lena: You even stayed after everyone else had left to read the final version. That was very kind of you.
Tom: Well, I know how much this opportunity matters to you.
Lena: It really does. And having someone encourage me when I was ready to give up — that means a lot to me.
Tom: Then you’d better tell me as soon as you hear back.
Lena: Definitely. And seriously, I really appreciate your help.
Expressions:
I really appreciate your suggestion / help — used to show that you are genuinely grateful for someone’s suggestion or help and value what they have done
That’s a good point — used to show that you agree that someone has mentioned an important or sensible idea
That was very kind of you — used to thank someone and show that you appreciate their thoughtful or helpful action
Thanks for taking the time to help — used to thank someone for spending their time helping you
That means a lot to me — used to show that someone’s words, support or actions are personally very important to you
That’s a good point — used to show that you agree that someone has mentioned an important or sensible idea
That was very kind of you — used to thank someone and show that you appreciate their thoughtful or helpful action
Thanks for taking the time to help — used to thank someone for spending their time helping you
That means a lot to me — used to show that someone’s words, support or actions are personally very important to you
Mia: Can I talk to you for a minute? I’ve just realised I sent your draft to the whole group instead of only to our teacher.
Leo: You sent the unfinished version?
Mia: Yes. I don’t know what to say. I’m terribly sorry about what happened. I was rushing and clicked the wrong name.
Leo: I really wish you’d checked first. There were comments in that draft that I wasn’t ready to share.
Mia: I know. I should have been more careful. And I didn’t mean to upset you.
Leo: I know you didn’t do it on purpose, but it’s still embarrassing.
Mia: You’re right. I’ll try to put it right. I’ll message everyone now and ask them to delete the file without opening it.
Leo: Thanks. That would help.
Mia: And I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again. From now on, I’ll double-check the recipient before I send anything important.
Leo: Okay. I appreciate that.
Mia: Please accept my apology. I feel awful about putting you in this situation.
Leo: I do. Just be more careful next time.
Mia: I will. I promise.
Expressions:
I don’t know what to say — used when you are very sorry, shocked or embarrassed and find it difficult to respond appropriately
I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again — used to promise that you will take care to prevent the same mistake or problem in the future
I’m terribly sorry about what happened — used to express a strong and sincere apology for an unpleasant situation or mistake
I didn’t mean to upset you — used to explain that you did not intend to hurt, offend or make someone unhappy
I should have been more careful — used to admit that you made a mistake because you were not careful enough
I’ll try to put it right — used to say that you will try to correct a mistake or improve a situation you have caused
Please accept my apology — used to make a formal and sincere request for someone to accept that you are sorry
I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again — used to promise that you will take care to prevent the same mistake or problem in the future
I’m terribly sorry about what happened — used to express a strong and sincere apology for an unpleasant situation or mistake
I didn’t mean to upset you — used to explain that you did not intend to hurt, offend or make someone unhappy
I should have been more careful — used to admit that you made a mistake because you were not careful enough
I’ll try to put it right — used to say that you will try to correct a mistake or improve a situation you have caused
Please accept my apology — used to make a formal and sincere request for someone to accept that you are sorry
Asking for Clarification
Ella: I spoke to the course coordinator today. She said we’ll need to submit a learning journal at the end of the programme.
Noah: A learning journal? What do you mean by “learning journal”?
Ella: It’s basically a record of what we’ve learned, the problems we’ve had and how we dealt with them.
Noah: I’m not sure I understand. Do we have to write something after every lesson?
Ella: Not necessarily. We can choose the experiences that were most useful or challenging.
Noah: Do you mean that we can focus on just a few important moments rather than describe everything?
Ella: Exactly.
Noah: Okay, that makes more sense.
Ella: She also mentioned “evidence of progress”.
Noah: Could you explain what she meant?
Ella: Sure. We need to include something that shows how we’ve improved, for example, an earlier piece of work and a later version.
Noah: Oh, I see. So it’s not just about saying we’ve improved; we need to show it.
Ella: That’s right.
Ella: Sure. We need to include something that shows how we’ve improved, for example, an earlier piece of work and a later version.
Noah: Oh, I see. So it’s not just about saying we’ve improved; we need to show it.
Ella: That’s right.
Expressions:
What do you mean by ...? — used to ask someone to explain the meaning of a word, phrase, idea or statement more clearly
Could you explain what you mean? — used to politely ask someone to explain their idea or statement in more detail
I’m not sure I understand — used to say politely that something is not completely clear to you
Do you mean that ...? — used to check whether you have understood someone’s meaning correctly
Could you explain what you mean? — used to politely ask someone to explain their idea or statement in more detail
I’m not sure I understand — used to say politely that something is not completely clear to you
Do you mean that ...? — used to check whether you have understood someone’s meaning correctly