MA THUẬT NÓI TIẾNG ANH

1. Ways of attracting attention, agreeing and refusing
Cách gây chú ý, đồng ý và từ chối
If you want to talk to someone it may be necessary first to attract their attention in a polite way. Also you are likely to be asked to do things which you may agree to do - or want to refuse.
¬     To attract someone’s attention:
ë       Er, excuse me ...
ë       Er, I say ...
ë       Er, Mr. Smith ... (if you know someone’s name)
        To agree:
ë       Yes, certainly.
ë       Sure.
ë       I’d be glad to.
ë       Yes, of course.
ë       Why, yes of course.
ë       By all means.
ë       No, not at all.
®   To refuse:
ë       I’m sorry, but ...
ë       I’m afraid ...
ë       I’m awfully sorry, but you see …
ë       I’d like to say yes, but …
ë       I’d really like to help you, but …
British people don’t like to refuse bluntly (in a plain, direct way). Instead, they usually give an excuse so as not to hurt people’s feelings. These excuses are sometimes called ‘little white lies’; but of course they shouldn’t involve serious or obvious lying
2. Ways of getting more information
Cách hỏi thêm thông tin
ë       Could you tell me a bit more about ...?
ë       Sorry, but I’d like to know some more about ...
ë       I didn’t quite follow what you said about ...
ë       Sorry, that’s not quite what I meant, what I really wanted to know was ...
ë       Sorry to press you, but could you tell me ...?
Sorry, I don’t quite understand why ...

3. Ways of expressing feelings
Cách diễn đạt cảm giác
ë       Let me explain how I’m feeling.
ë       Let me explain how I feel.
ë       Let me tell you my reaction to that.
ë       It’s not easy for me to say this, but I’m a bit upset about what happened.
ë       I will try to explain the way I’m feeling, but it’s not easy to do.
ë       I am uncomfortable about what happened because … .
ë       In my culture, we don’t usually talk about this, but I’d like to let you know how I feel
4. Ways of showing appreciation
Cách bày tỏ sự cảm kích
Thanking
  ë            Thanks
ë            Thank you very much indeed.
ë            It’s very good of you
ë            Thanks for the present / gift.
ë            Thanks for a lovely evening.
ë            Thank you very much for doing what you did. You really helped me a lot.
ë            I really appreciate your help. It meant a lot to me.
ë            Thanks for all you’ve done. It was a great help.
ë            I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you very much.
ë            I hope I can help you someday the way you helped me.
     Responding to thanks
 
ë            You’re welcome.
ë            Don’t mention it.
ë            Not at all.
ë            It’s a pleasure.
ë            My pleasure.
ë            Glad you enjoyed it.
5. Ways of extending invitations
Cách mời mọc
( Definite Invitations
These include a time or date, a place and a yes/no question asking if a person can come.
ë       Can you come to my house for dinner Saturday night?
ë       Would you like to join us for dinner this evening?
ë       How about a drink in the bar before dinner tonight?
ë       Would you like to go out to dinner and the movies tonight?
ë       Are you and your family free to come over Saturday night?
ë       Would you like to spend the weekend with us in the mountains?
 
( Indefinite invitations
These do not include a specific time and place and may not include a yes/no question. When people extend indefinite invitations, they do not really know when and if they will get together with the other person.
ë        Let’s get together sometime.
ë       We really should have lunch soon.
ë       Why don’t we get together one of these days?
ë      Let’s go out some weekend.
6. Ways of responding to invitations
Cách đáp lại lời mời
Accepting invitations
ë       Yes, I’d really like to come. Thanks for inviting me.
ë       That sounds nice. I’d be happy to come.
ë       Sure. I can come. (informal)
ë       Great. I’ll be there. (very informal)
ë       Sounds good. I’ll see you then. (informal)
ë       Thank you, I’d love to.
ë       Thank you, I’d be delighted.
ë       Thank you, that sounds very nice.
ë       An excellent idea.
( Declining invitations but showing interest in accepting another time
ë       I’m afraid I can’t make it that day. Can we make it another time?
ë       I’m really sorry. We already have plans for that night. I hope we’ll be able