Daily Conversation 30

Janaki	Hello, Sahan. I have bad news to tell you.
Sahan	Is it about your uncle?
Janaki	Yes, I am calling from the hospital. His diagnosis is not good.He is falling in and out of consciousness. Aunt is also at his bedside.
Sahan	Hang in there Janaki. I will be there soon. Let's see what we can do.

  Hang in there - a way of telling someone not to give up in difficult situations.

Daily Conversation 29

Namali	What are you looking for?
Nisha	I am looking for my phone. I know you have hidden it from me.
Namali	Are you crazy? Don't mess with me. I didn't take your phone.
Nisha	I know you all are always joking with me. I am going to lose my temper if you don't find my phone.

  I am going to lose my temper- I am going to get angry

Don't mess with me-Don't bother or annoy me

Daily Conversation 28

Ravi	I have good news to tell you
Kamal	What is it? Is it related to us.
Ravi	No, It is something related to Nimali. But, you have to promise me that you keep this as a secret.
Kamal	I won't tell anybody. Please tell me. Don't keep me in suspense

Don't keep me in suspense- deliberately delay telling them something or the outcome of something

Daily Conversation 27

Ravi	How was the National Engineering Association conference ?
Kamal	It was pretty good and very well attended.
Ravi	I've heard that quite a lot of people aren't too happy with the president. They don't think he's been doing a good job. Do you think that he will resign before his term comes to an end?
Kamal	Well it might if he doesn't improve his performance pretty quickly

well attended- Describes an event where many people are present

Daily Conversation 26

Ravi	Hello! I couldn't call you for some time. I was busy with my new office duties.
Kamal	No problem. I was not free in the last few days either. By the way. How is the new place?
Ravi	It is fine. People working there are very friendly to me. But, still I am not used to my work properly.
Kamal	Don't think too much. It will take some time for you to get used to it.

Get used to it - be familiar with it

Daily Converstation 25

Ravi	I have good news to tell you. I was selected for the job.
Kamal	Really nice. My congratulations ! I knew that you were going to be selected. So, when are you going to start your work?
Ravi	They wanted me to come as early as possible. But, I need some time to get ready. I want some new dresses as well.
Kamal	And don't forget the party. We must celebrate this.

Grammar tips .....

Prepositional phrases

At

• at any rate:  whatever happens or is happening
• at one's disposal:  available for one’s use
• at fault:  causing a problem or accident
• at first:  in the beginning
• at last:  finally, after some delay
• at a loss:  unsure of what to do or say; speechless

Daily Conversation 24

Ravi	Kamal, as you said, the interview went well.
Kamal	Really? That's great. Did you make a good impression on them?
Ravi	I think so. But I can't be sure until I get the result.
Kamal	Don't worry. Everything will be fine.

Daily Conversation 23

Ravi	Sorry, I couldn't call you for a while. I have been doing some practice for my interview.
Kamal	That's good. How have you been practising?
Ravi	Well. I have been practising some common dialogues which can be usuful at an interview.
Kamal	Fine. If you want any help just ring me. I am willing to help you in this regard any time.

I am willing - I would like
in this regard- regarding this

Daily Conversation 22

Ravi	Kamal, I have a good news to tell you. Just now, I got a letter from the bank. I was asked to come for an interview.
Kamal	That's great. Didn't I tell you that you should apply for this
Ravi	Yes, thank you. You are always a good friend to me. By the way, I don't know how to face for this. This is my first interview you know. I will be feeling a bit uneasy at the interview.
Kamal	You don't have to be like that. The first thing you have to do is be relaxed and try to be in a positive attitude.

Daily Conversation 21

Ravi	You know what Kamal. In the end, I applied for the job which was in the news paper.
Kamal	That's what I told you. You should have applied at first. However you have taken the right decision even at the end.
Ravi	But, the thing is that I will have to prepare for an interview. I am pretty sure that they are going to call me for an interview.
Kamal	Take it easy. I am sure you have a good chance of getting selected.

I am sure -  I believe

Daily Conversation 20

Ravi	Did you see the last week news paper?
Kamal	No, was there anything important in the paper?
Ravi	There was a vacancy in David's bank. But, I didn't apply for it.
Kamal	Why didn't you apply? You could have applied for it.

You could have applied for it- You had a chance. But, you didn't apply

Daily Conversation 19

Ravi	You know what. Our neighbour, Mr. Silva died of heart attack last night.
Kamal	How sad. His sudden death must have come as a terrible shock to the entire family.
Ravi	Can't argue with that. What shall we do now?
Kamal	Let's go there. I will inform my office that I am not able to come to work today.

You know what- Do you know that 
Can't argue with that- I agree with what you said


 Grammar tips .....

little / few / a little / a few

 little / a little - with uncountable
few / a few - with countable

little/ few- negative meaning
a few / a little - positive meaning

 Ex:
1. I have few friends here. So, I feel lonely. (negative)
2. I have a few friends here. So, I don't feel lonely.
3. I have little knowledge in English. So, I can't help you.
4. I have a little knowledge in English. Maybe, I can help you.

Daily Conversation 18

You know what

Ravi	You know what, I have been called for an exam for the post I have applied for
Kamani	What a good news. When are you going to sit for the exam.
Ravi	Next Monday. I am not sure whether I will be selected. I have  heard there were a lot of candidates for the post.
Kamani	Don't worry. You can do it. I wish you luck on your exam.

You know what- Do you know that

Daily Conversation 17

I wonder what to do

wife	The medicine which the doctor ordered cannot be found anywhere.
Husband	Did you try the pharmacy in the town itself?
wife	Yes, I tried that one also. They said they were out of stock and next week only they could give the medicine.
Husband	We can't wait until next week. I wonder what to do.

I wonder what to do - I have no idea what I should do

Daily Conversation 16

This is because

Seetha	There are no many buses on the road. I think this is because yesterday was a holiday.
Geetha	I think you are right. We will have to wait for ages
Seetha	There are a lot people in the town. I think this is because the previous days were holidays
Geetha	You are absolutely right. The shops had been closed those days

This is because - The reason is this



Grammar tips .....

Reported Speech

.....................................

A) Reported speech: Commands and Requests

My wife “Clean the house”

My wife told me to clean the house.

      Teacher “Do your homework”

Teacher told me to do my homework.

      She “Please dance with me”

She asked me to dance with her.

      My sister “ Please bring me a cup of tea ”

My sister asked me to bring her a cup of tea.

Daily Conversation 15

You can say that again

Seetha	Do you like this song? I am sick and tired of it.
Geetha	What is the reason for that? Don't you like its music?
Seetha	That is not the case. This song is played way too often on the radio
Geetha	You can say that again. even it is a beautiful song, when we hear it too often we tend to dislike it.

You can say that again - I agree with you
Sick and tired - hate



Grammar tips .....

Possession (possessive nouns and others)

We normally use ‘s for people or animals

The girl’s name / horse’s tail / a woman’s hat / the manager’s office / Mary’s eyes

when it is a plural noun   -   we put ‘ ( apostrophe)  after the s   

                                                      sisters’ house  / students' union

when the plural noun doesn’t end in s

                                                      men’s room / children’s game