Mercy Law
Asking about free-time activities
- What do you do in your free-time?
- What do you do in your free-time?
- How do you spend your free-time?
Responding
- I play sports.
- I like to play sports.
- I go to the gym.
- I enjoy singing.
Showing interest
- Oh, yeah? That’s interesting.
- Oh, really? Sounds fun.
Inviting someone
- Do you want to see a movie?
- Would you like to see a movie?
Responding to an invitation
- I’d love to.
- Sounds great.
- Sure./ Ok.
- Maybe.
- I’m not sure.
Declining an invitation
- Sorry.
- I’m really sorry.
- I’d love to, but I can’t.
- I’m afraid I can’t.
Giving an excuse
- I have to go to work.
- I need to do my homework.
- I want to clean my room.
- I’d like to go to the gym.
Responding
- Oh, I see.
- Oh, that’s OK.
Apologizing
- Sorry I’m late. I got stuck in traffic.
- I’m sorry I’m late. I got stuck in traffic.
- I’m really sorry I’m late. I got stuck in traffic.
- I’m so sorry I’m late. I got stuck in traffic.
Responding to an apology
- Oh, that’s OK.
- No problem.
- don’t worry about it.
Asking double questions
- Where did you go for vacation? Did you go anywhere specific?
- Who did you go with? Did you go alone?
- What did you do there? Did you go to Victoria Peak?
- How was the weather? Was it sunny?
Describing past events
- Yeah, I did. I went to Hong Kong.
- No, I raveled with my sister.
- Yeah, we went to the top. We also took a city tour.
- It was OK. It was rainy for some of the time.
Asking about preferences
- Do you prefer traveling alone or in a group?
- Which would you prefer- staying in hotels or staying in hotels?
- Would you rather travel by bus or train?
Describing preferences
- I prefer traveling in a group (to traveling alone).
- I’d prefer staying in hotels (to staying in hotels).
- I’d rather travel by train (than travel by bus).
Expressing prohibitions
- You can’t travel without a passport.
- You’re not allowed to take liquids on a plane.
- You’re not permitted to check three bags.
Expressing obligations
- You must take your passport.
- You have to pack liquids.
- I need to buy a travel pillow.
- You don’t have to leave until 2 p.m.
Asking about prices and schedules
- How much is a one-way/round trip ticket to New York?
- When is the next train to New York?
- How long does it take?
- Where does the train from Chicago arrive?
- What gate does the flight to Miami depart from?
Describing prices and schedules
- It’s $86.50.
- The price is $86.50.
- It leaves at 7:15 p.m.
- It takes about three hours.
- It arrives at Platform four.
- It departs from Gate 58.
Asking about general behavior
- What do Scottish people generally wear to weddings?
- What do women in Scotland normally wear?
- How do teachers tend to dress at your school?
Describing general behavior
- They generally wear a kit.
- They normally wear a long skirt, but they sometimes wear a kit, too.
- Men wear slacks, a shirt, and a tie. Woman tend to wear a blouse, a skirt, and a jacket.
Asking for ideas
- What do you think?
- Do you think this design is nice?
- Is this a good color for me?
- Do you think this looks good on me?
Offering ideas
- I would get something more practical.
- A different design might be better.
- You might want to try a different color.
- I think this will look better on you.
Making requests
- Would you get some pillows for the sofa?
- Could you please get some pillows for the sofa?
- Would you mind picking up a mirror?
- Do you mind picking up a mirror?
- Can you do me a favor?
Agreeing to requests
- Sure. No problem.
- Of course. I’d be happy to.
- No, I don’t mind.
Asking about uses
- What do you use it for?
- How can you use it?
- What is it used for?
- What is its most interesting feature?
Describing uses
- I use to to store photos and watch movies.
- I can use it to read books and do homework.
- It’s used for recording, editing, and sharing my music.
- The most useful feature is the editing software.
Asking for opinions
- What do you think of the movie?
- How do you like the movie?
Giving opinions
- I think the movie is kind of boring.
- I feel like the acting isn’t very good.
- I find the acting terrible.
- To me, the story is confusing
- In my opinion the acting is excellent.
- If you ask me, the acting could be better.
Agreeing with opinions
- I agree.
- I think so, too.
- I completely agree with you.
- I feel exactly the same way.
Disagreeing with opinions
- I don’t really agree.
- I’m not sure about that.
- I’m not sure I really agree.
- I don’t feel that way at all.
Asking about an imaginary situation
- What would you do?
- What would you do if you were me?
- What do you think I should do?
- How would you feel?
Discussing an imaginary situation
- I would be honest.
- I would definitely apologize.
- If I were you, I’d get her a birthday present.
- I’d probably feel embarrassed.
Describing a series of events
- Before I went to bed, I heard something interesting on the news.
- She was watching TV when she learned about some needy families.
- After watching the show, she decided to give all the money away.
- Next, she set up a scholarship program to pay for the education of high school kids.
- Then she decided to pay for their college tuition, too.
