Dean Curry

RE
O
M
DIALOGS FOR

EVERYDAY USE

Short Situational Dialogs

for Students of English as a Foreign Language

(11

MOR
DIALOGS FOR EVERYDAY USE
Short Situational Dialogs
for Students of English as a Foreign Language
D EAN C URRY

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT

OF

STATE

Office of English Language Programs

i

DIALOG 1
MORE DIALOGS

FOR EVERYDAY USE

Short Situational Dialogs for Students of English as a Foreign Language

DeanCurry
Firstpublishedin1983
Secondprinting1997
bytheEnglishLanguageProgramsDivision
oftheUnitedStatesInformationAgency,
Washington,DC.
Thisprintingpublishedin2004
bytheOfficeofEnglishLanguagePrograms
oftheUnitedStatesDepartmentofState.

United States Department of State

BureauofEducationalandCulturalAffairs

Office of English Language Programs

Washington,DC20547

http://exchanges.state.gov/education/engteaching/

ii

CONTENTS

Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog
Dialog

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31
32
33
34
35
36

Greetings ...............................1

EarlyintheMorning ......................2

DailyNeeds .............................3

AirportBus .............................4

MakingaDate ...........................5

CatchingaBus ..........................6

OrderingBreakfast .......................7

NearAccident ...........................8

ArrivalTime .............................9

AftertheGame .........................10

GoingforaWalk ........................11

WhatsforDinner? .......................12

AcademyAwards .......................13

AttheHotel ............................14

AftertheMovie .........................15

AttheBank ............................16

DiscussingaNewsStory .................17

TalkingItOver ..........................18

WeekendPlans .........................19

DinnerInvitation ........................20

CarInsurance ..........................21

ParentsNightOut ......................22

DiscussingtheEconomy .................23

DentalAppointment(byphone) ...........24

MakingPlans ...........................25

NeighborhoodProblem ..................26

CarTheft ..............................27

GettingReady ..........................28

MakingaPurchase .....................29

MailTime ..............................30

Bedtime ...............................31

GettingSomethingFixed .................32

FamilyPlans ...........................33

PlanningaBusinessTrip .................34

AShortDiscussion ......................35

FamilySquabble ........................36

iii

DIALOG 1
FOREWORD
he36dialogsinMoreDialogsforEverydayUse aresituationbased;
they present spoken American English in a naturalness of style that
will help students of English as a Foreign Language gain practice in
hearing and understanding the stream of speech.There is no estab
lishedorderofdifficultyinthearrangementofthedialogswithinthe
text, and teachers are encouraged to use them as needed to supple
mentthemorenormaltypeofclassroomlearningactivities.

The Language Notes concentrate upon words and expressions that

are either colloquial or idiomatic in nature. The dialogs themselves
arekeptshortsothatifteachersfeelthatmemorizationofthedialogs
canbeapartofthepedagogyofpresentation,studentswillnothave
to face a seemingly insurmountable task of memorizing long pas
sages. Memorization is encouraged since it often helps to develop
bothlisteningandreadingcomprehension.

An audiocassette is available with this booklet and is a necessary

componentoftheaudiostudyunit.

iv

DIALOG 1

Greetings
A. (Acquaintances)
Matt:

Goodmorning.

Maxine:

Goodmorning.Howareyoutoday?

Matt:

Justfine,thanks.Howareyou?

Maxine:

Wonderful.Thingscouldntbebetter.
B. (GoodFriends)

Dotty:

Hi.Whatsup?

Vivian:

Nothingmuch.Whatsnewwithyou?

Dotty:

Nottoomuch.Ivebeenprettybusy.

Vivian:

Metoo.SeemslikeallIdoiseatandsleep.

Dotty:

Gottago.Callmetonight.

Vivian:

Okay.Checkyoulater.
C. (Family)

Mother:

Goodmorning.

Son:

Morning.Whatsforbreakfast?

Mother:

Theusual.Eggs,toast,andcereal.Coffee,ifyouwant.

Son:

IthinkIlljusthavecerealforachange.

Mother:

Helpyourself.Thecerealandsugarareonthetable.
Themilksintherefrigerator.

Language Notes

Acquaintance = a person one knows but not a close friend

@ Thingscouldntbebetter =Everythingisgoingwell. @ Hi =
informalwaytosayhello @ Whatsup? =Whatsnew? Usedin
formally.@ Pretty = rather; somewhat @ Me too = has meaning
ofIhavebeenbusy,too. @ Seems =Itseems @ Gotta =Ivegot
to = Imust @ Checkyoulater =Illcallyoulater. @ Whatsfor
breakfast? =Whatarewehavingforbreakfast? @ Just =only
@ Help yourself. =Serveyourself.

DIALOG 2

EarlyintheMorning
Gene:

Itstimetogetup!

Ed:

Ijustwenttobed!

Gene:

YoushouldnthavestayedupsolatewatchingTV.Itold
youwehadtogetanearlystart.

Ed:

Iknow, but that movie was just too good to leave. I guess
Ill just have to pay the price and be sleepy.

Gene:

Do you want to eat breakfast here?

Ed:

No. Why dont we just grab a bite at the coffee shop next
door?

Gene:

Okay by me.

LanguageNotes

TV =television@ getanearlystart =leaveearlyinthemorning

@ just =simply @ paytheprice =suffertheconsequences @
grababite =(Informal)getsomethingtoeat @ coffeeshop =
atypeofrestaurant @ Okaybyme. =Itsallrightwithme.

DIALOG 3

DailyNeeds
Judith:

Thisisthelastofthemilk.

Mother:

Iknow. I intend to go to the store today.

Judith:

Wouldyouget some of that new cereal we saw adver

tised on TV?

Mother:

Which one?

Judith:

You know the one with the silly ad about how vitamins
jump up and down.

Mother:

Oh, you mean KIKIES?

Judith:

Yeah. Thats the one.

Mother:

Well, Ill see. Sometimes the stores dont have some of

the new kinds of cereal.

LanguageNotes

lastofthemilk =exhauststhesupplyofmilk @ silly =foolish @

ad =advertisement @ Yeah =(Informal)Yes @ Illsee =Ill
examinethepossibility.

DIALOG 4

AirportBus
Stan:

Whattimedoesthebusleavefortheairport?

Harry:

Idontknow.Itusedtoleaveeveryhalfhour,butIthink
theschedulesbeenchanged.

Stan:

Doyouknowthetelephonenumbertocall?

Harry:

ItsEnterprise74700.Atleastthatswhatitusedtobe.

Stan:

Yeah,Illtryit.(Pause) Theydontseemtoanswer.

Harry:

Iexpectthatitsalittletooearly.Idontthinktheyopen
untilnineoclock.

LanguageNotes

Atleast =Inanycase

NOTE: OnmosttelephonesintheU.S.,lettersappearwitheach
numberonthekeypad.Whenthoselettersarecombined,
weoftenuseeasytorememberwordsofnamesinplace
ofthelettercombinations.Inthisexample,thelettersare
ENwhichcorrespondtothenumbers3and6.Sothe
numberhereis3674700.Theuseofonlynumbershas
becomemorecommontoday.

DIALOG 5

MakingaDate
Drew:

Whattimeareyouleavingtomorrow?

Paul:

Youmeantogotothegraduationceremony?

Drew:

Yes,IdliketogowithyouifImay.

Paul:

Idbedelightedtotakeyou.Iplantoleavehereabout

ninethirty.

Drew:

Fine.Icanbereadybythen.

Paul:

Okay.Illpickyouupatyourhouse.

Drew:

Seeyoutomorrow,then,aboutninethirty.

LanguageNotes

Makingadate =makingasocialappointment @ Illpickyou

up =Illcometoyourhouse.

DIALOG 6

CatchingaBus
Steve:

IsthiswhereIcatchthebusforthezoo?

Alan:

YoucantakeaT30fromhere,butthenyouhaveto
walkaboutsixblocks.

Steve:

Thatdoesntsoundtoobad.

Alan:

Actually,ifyougotothebusstopinthenextblock,
youcantakeaZ8whichwillletyourightoffinfront
ofthezoo.

Steve:

MaybethatswhatIlldo.Thanksalot.

Alan:

Yourewelcome.

LanguageNotes

catchingabus =gettingabus @ T30 =numberofabus @

Thatdoesntsoundtoobad. =Thatdoesntappeartobediffi
cult. @ Z8 =numberofabus@ letyourightoff =takeyou
exactlyto

DIALOG 7

OrderingBreakfast
Waitress:

Wouldyouliketoordernow?

Phil:

Yes.Idlikebaconandeggswithbuttered

toast.Nojelly.

Waitress:

Whatwouldyouliketodrink?

Phil:

Doyouhavehotchocolate?

Waitress:

Yes,wedo.

Phil:

Then,Illhaveacupofhotchocolate.

Waitress:

Howdoyouwantyoureggs?

Phil:

Overeasy,please.

LanguageNotes

How do you want your eggs? = How do you want your eggs
prepared? @ Overeasy =eggfriedononesideandslightlyon
the other with the yolk left uncooked or partially cooked, not
hard. Other ways to prepare eggs are scrambled, fried (hard),
boiled(softorhard),andpoached.

DIALOG 8

NearAccident

Quinn:

Howaboutthat!

Kerwin:

What?Whathappened?

Quinn:

Didyouseewhatthatguydid?

Kerwin:

No.Iwaslooking the other way.

Quinn:

He madeaUturnrightinthemiddleoftheblockand
almosthitakidonabicycle.

Kerwin:

Driversgetcraziereveryday!

Quinn:

Right.Nobodywantstodrivebytherulesanymore!

LanguageNotes

Near accident = almost an accident @ How about that! =

Just consider what happened! @ guy = man @ I was look
ing the other way = I was looking in the opposite direction.
@ Uturn =turnavehiclesuchasacarortruckintheshape
ofaU.

DIALOG 9

ArrivalTime

Pat:

WhattimedoesMothersplanegetin?

Cliff:

Imnotsure,butIthinkat2:35.Illcalltheairlineto
makesure.

Pat:

WhydontyoudothatwhileIchangemyclothes?

Cliff:

DoyouthinkDickorBrendawillwanttogo?

Pat:

Idontknow.Iguesswecouldcallthem.

Cliff:

IknowDickhastowork,butmaybeBrendacango.

Pat:

Okay. Call her first, then the airline. Ill go get ready.

LanguageNotes

getin =arrive

DIALOG 10

AftertheGame

Gloria:

Didyouwatchthegamelastnight?

Roy:

Isuredid.Iwouldnthavemisseditforanything!

Gloria:

IthinkitwasoneofthebestgamesIveeverseen.

Roy:

Metoo.Ithoughtbothteamsplayedsuperball.Too
badonehadtolose.

Gloria:

Yeah.Ithoughttheywereevenlymatched.Itcould
havegoneeitherway!

Roy:

Thatshotthatwoninthelastfifteensecondswasreally
something.

LanguageNotes

10

Isuredid =Icertainlydid (watchthegame)@ playedsuperball

=playedextremelywell @ Toobad =Unfortunately @ Itcould
havegoneeitherway! =Eitherteamcouldhavewon! @ really
something =extraordinary;quiteunusual

DIALOG 11

GoingforaWalk
Roger:

Whatdidyousay?

Claire:

Isaidthatitsalovelyday.Whydontwegoforawalk?

Roger:

Canyouwaitafewminutes?Ihavetofinishthisletter.

Claire:

Donttaketoolong.Itwouldbeashamenottotake
advantageofsuchlovelyweather.

Roger:

Iwontbelong. No more than ten minutes. Why dont

you go onaheadandIllmeetyou in the park.

Claire:

BelieveIwill.Lookformeneartherockgarden.

LanguageNotes

Donttaketoolong =Dontdelay. @ goonahead =proceed

(tothepark) @ Lookforme =Meetme

11

DIALOG 12

WhatsforDinner?

Mother:

Iwonderwhatweshouldhavefordinnerthisevening?

Mona:

Areyouaskingme?

Mother:

Yes,Iam.Ireallydontfeelmuchlikecooking,butthe
family must eat.

Mona:

Well,youknowme.Icanalwayseatpizzaorspaghetti.

Mother:

So Ive noticed. Youre putting on a little weight,

arent you?

Mona:

I know. Dont remind me! Im starting a new diet day

after tomorrow.

Mother:

Its about time!

LanguageNotes

12

I wonder = I wish to know about @ pizza = A spicy Ital

iandishmadelikeapiefrombreaddoughandcoveredwith
cheese,tomatosauce,meat,spices,etc. @ puttingonalittle
weight =gainingweight @ Dontremindme! =Dontcallitto
myattention! @ Itsabouttime! =Itstherighttime(tobegin)!

DIALOG 13

AcademyAwards
Janice:

DidyouseetheAcademyAwardsprogramlastnight
onTV?

Rob:

Iwatchedforawhile;thenIhadtogotobed.

Janice:

Youmissedagoodshow.Ididntagreewiththeselection
forbestpicture,though.

Rob:

IguessImissedthatpart.Whathappened?

Janice:

Oh,theychosesomepicturethatwassoavantgardethat
nooneunderstandsit.

Rob:

Well,Idontgotothemoviesveryoften.Youknowme.I
prefermoreactivetypethings.

Janice:

Toobad.Ireallywantedtodiscussitwithsomeone.

LanguageNotes

AcademyAwards =awardsinthefilmindustrygivenannually
forthebestmovie,bestactor,bestdirector,etc.Theawards,
smallstatues,arecalledOscars. @ Avantgarde =inthearts,
havingtodowithcreativeideas,methods,designs,etc.,that
areaheadofallothers.

13

DIALOG 14

AttheHotel

Clerk:

Yes,sir.MayIhelpyou?

Tony:

Ihaveareservationfortonight.TonyDavis.

Clerk:

Justamoment,please,whileIcheck.Thatiscorrect.You
haveareservationforathreeroomsuitefortonight.

Tony:

Imafraidtheresbeenamistake.Ionlyaskedforasingle
room,notasuite.

Clerk:

Imsorry,Mr.Davis,butwehaveonlythesuiteavailable.
Yourrequestarrivedtoolatetoreserveasingle.Theresa
largeconventionintownthisweekandwerefullup.

Tony:

Well,ifthatsthewayitis,Illhavetotakeit.

Clerk:

JustsigntheregisterhereandIllhaveyourbagssentup
later.Itssuite718.

LanguageNotes

14

MayIhelpyou? =MayIserveyou? @ Werefullup. =Allofour

roomsaretaken.

DIALOG 15

AftertheMovie

Pamela:

Ireallyenjoyedthatmovie!

Scott:

Idid,too.AtfirstIthoughtitwasgoingtobeadrag,
butthenitreallygotgood.

Pamela:

Whatpartdidyoulikethebest?

Scott:

Oh,Idontknow.Iguessthescenethatgrabbedmethe
mostwastheone in which the old man was dying.

Pamela:

I liked that one, too. In fact, I cried.

Scott:

To tell you the truth, I had a few tears in my eyes.

Pamela:

Now what?

Scott:

How about a coke andahamburger?

Pamela:

Super!

LanguageNotes

beadrag =beboringoruninteresting @ thescenethat

grabbedmethemost =thescenethatmostmovedme
emotionally @ coke =CocaColaoranysoftdrink @ Super!
=Wonderful!

15

DIALOG 16

AttheBank

Teller:

MayIhelpyou?

Nancy:

Idliketocashthischeck,please.

Teller:

Doyouhaveanaccountwithus?

Nancy:

Yeah.Heresmyidentificationcard.

Teller:

Doyouwantlargeorsmallbills?

Nancy:

Actually,Iwanttobuysometravelerschecks.

Teller:

Whatdenomination?

Nancy:

Twentieswouldbefine.

Teller:

Doyouwantthewholeamountintravelerschecks?

Nancy:

Yes,please.

LanguageNotes

16

tocashthischeck =toreceivemoneyforthischeck @ largeor

smallbills =billsoflargeorsmalldenomination @ travelers
checks =specialchecksissuedbybanksforaspecialamount
andwhichcanonlybeusedbythebuyer.

DIALOG 17

DiscussingaNewsStory
Helen:

Didyouhearaboutthatguywhowasstruck
bylightning?

Mavis:

YoumeanthatmanupinMaine?

Helen:

Thatstheone;theblindguywhocouldseeagain.

Mavis:

Ireadabouthiminthepaperthisweek.Hedbeen
blindforabouteightornineyears.

Helen:

Uhhuh.Wasnthealsoabletohearagainafter
thelightninghithim?

Mavis:

Right.Hedidnthavetowearahearingaid
anymore.

Helen:

Ithinkitwasamiracle!

Mavis:

Metoo!

LanguageNotes

Maine =stateinthenortheasternpartoftheUnitedStates
@ Uhhuh. =Thatsright. @ Right. =Correct. @ hearingaid
=devicetohelpdeaforpartiallydeafpersonshear @ Me
too! =SodoI!

17

DIALOG 18

TalkingItOver
Jeff:

Cantwegosomeplaceandtalk?Itssocrowdedinhere.

Sonia:

Well,theresalittleparkdownthestreetaboutthree
blocks.Itsusuallynotcrowdedthistimeofday.

Jeff:

Letsgo.Ineedtogetsomefreshairanyway.

Sonia:

Justwhatisityouwanttotalkabout?

Jeff:

Yourememberthatnoteyou sent melastmonth?

Sonia:

Which one? The one about the trip out west?

Jeff:

Yeah. Thats the one. Listen. Ive got a terrific idea about
the whole project and we need to discuss it.

Sonia:

Wonderful! Id like to hear some of your ideas.

LanguageNotes

18

Talkingitover =Discussingamatterorproblem @ anyway =in

anycase @ Just =Exactly

DIALOG 19

WeekendPlans

Al:

Hi.ImgladIranintoyou.

Bob: Why?Whatsup?

Al:

Howdyouliketogoonahikethisweekend?

Bob: Allweekend?

Al:

Well,justSaturdayandSunday.

Bob: ImnotsureIcanbegoneallweekend.Ipromised

tohelpmysistermoveSaturday.
Al:

Howabout Sunday, then? We couldstartearlyin

themorning.

Bob: Imight be able to do that.Tellyouwhat. Let me

checkandIllcallyou at home tonight.
Al:

Great!Illtalktoyoulater.

Bob: Solong.

LanguageNotes

ImgladIranintoyou. =ImgladImetyou @ Whatsup? =

Whats happening? = Whats going on? @ to help my sister
move = to help my sister move her household effects to
another houseorapartment. @ HowaboutSunday,then?
=IsSundayagoodday,then? @ Tellyouwhat =Heresmy
opinion/reaction. @ Let me check = Let me verify @
Great! =Wonderful! @ Solong =Goodbyefornow.

19

DIALOG 20

DinnerInvitation

Laura:

Dontforget.Wereinvitedouttodinnertonight.

Ted:

Oh.Ialmostforgot.Thanksforremindingme.Whattime?

Laura:

Seventhirty.Weshouldleavethehousebysixthirty.You

knowhowbadthetrafficisthattimeofnight.

Ted:

Uhhuh.Itsinformal,isntit?

Laura:

Yeah.Youcanwearyournewsportsjacket.

Ted:

Okay.Illtrytogethomealittleearly.

Laura:

Good.Byebye.

LanguageNotes

20

Wereinvitedouttodinnertonight =Wereinvitedtohave
dinnerwithfriendsoracquaintances. @ Uhhuh. =Yes,(Ido).
@ Byebye. =Goodbye;solong.

DIALOG 21

CarInsurance

Dick:

Ineedtogetcarinsurance.Yagotanyideas?

George:

Well,youcouldtrymycompany.Itseemstohave
fairrates.

Dick:

Dotheyinsureoldercars?

George:

As farasIknow, they insure all kinds of vehicles.

Dick:

How long have you had a policy with them?

George:

Oh, I dont know. Maybe five years.

Dick:

And you say their ratesarelow?

George:

Not low, reasonable. Ive alwaysgottengood service

from them. Let megive you their phone number and
you can call them.

LanguageNotes

carinsurance =insuranceonautomobilesincaseofaccidents,
theft,bodilyinjury,etc. @ AsfarasIknow =Totheextentof
myknowledge

21

DIALOG 22

ParentsNightOut
Joe:

Canyougetababysitterfortonight?

Susan:

Idontknow.Why?

Joe:

Well,Ithoughtwecouldgooutfordinnerandthengo
toamovieafterward.

Susan:

IcancallDebbieandseeifshesavailable.Sheusually
doesntliketositduringtheweek,butshemightmake
anexception.

Joe:

Well,dothat,andthencallmeattheofficeifyouhave
anyluck.

Susan:

Okay,butdontgetyourhopestoohigh.Itshardtofind
agoodbabysitterthesedays.

LanguageNotes

22

nightout =eveningawayfromhomeforthepurposeofrecre
ationorrelaxation @ babysitter =womanoryounggirlhired,
usuallybyparents,towatchsmallchildrenwhiletheparents
areawayfromhome @ tositduringtheweek = tobabysiton
weekdays @ ifyouhaveanyluck =ifyouaresuccessful @
dontgetyourhopestoohigh =dontexpectsuccess

DIALOG 23

DiscussingtheEconomy
Gordon:

Theeconomicnewsdoesntlookgood,doesit?

Hobart:

Notaccordingtothenewspaperyesterday.Isawasimi
larreportlastnightonTV.

Gordon:

Isawthat,too.Theanalysisseemedtobequite realistic.

Hobart:

I hope theyre wrong. We really need to get the rising

price structure under control.

Gordon:

Well, costs seem to be rising in so many categories that

it appears to defeat any efforts at stabilization.

Hobart:

Thats my feeling, too. Raw material now costs more.

Labor is demanding higher wages and production costs
continue to soar.

Gordon:

There may be some relief this summer. I understand the

price of some foodstuffs will decrease.

LanguageNotes

Thatsmyfeeling,too =Thatsmyopinion,too @ soar =rise

beyondwhatiscommonandordinary

23

DIALOG 24

DentalAppointment
(byphone)
DentalAssistant:

Dr.Katunasoffice.MayIhelpyou?

Karen:

Yes.Idliketomakeanappointmentfora
dentalcheckup.

DentalAssistant:

Areyouoneofthedoctorsregularpatients?

Karen:

No,Imnot.Irecentlymovedtothisareaand
afriendofminerecommendedDr.Katuna.

DentalAssistant:

Isee.Dr.Katunacansee you next Thursday.

Do you prefer morning or afternoon?

Karen:

Morning is best for me.

Dental Assistant:

Would 10:30 be all right?

Karen:

That would be fine.

Dental Assistant:

Good. Well expect you then at 10:30

on Thursday.

Karen:

Thank you very much.

LanguageNotes

24

Isee =Iunderstand @ Would10:30beallright? =Would10:30

beacceptable?

DIALOG 25

MakingPlans
Alice:

Whenshallwemeet?

Sofia:

Youmeantotalkabouttheparty?

Alice:

Right.Wereallyneedtoplanbetterthistime.Remember
whatamessitwasatthelastparty?

Sofia:

Isuredo.Ihopewelldomuchmoreplanningthistime.

Alice:

Well,thatswhyweregoingtomeettomorrow at my
house. How does 7:30 sound to you?

Sofia:

Fine by me. Ill call Jan and Judy. Well see you tomorrow.

LanguageNotes

Right. =Correct. @ mess =unpleasantorunsuccessfulaffairor

event @ Howdoes7:30soundtoyou? =Howdoyoureactto
meetingat7:30? @ Finebyme. =Itsallrightwithme.

25

DIALOG 26

NeighborhoodProblem
Wife:

Wevegottodosomethingabouttheneighborsdog!

Husband:

Why?Hashebeenintoyourflowergardenagain?

Wife:

Theflowergarden,thegarbagecan,andyesterday
hestarteddiggingholesintheyard!

Husband:

DidyoutalktoMrs.Gorham about it?

Wife:

Youknowhowsheis.Allsweetnessandlighttoyour
face but then she never does anything. They should
eitherkeepthatanimalinthehouseortiedup!

Husband:

IlltalktoHankabout ittonight. He usually listens.

Wife:

We need more than listening, dear. We need action!

LanguageNotes

26

Allsweetnessandlighttoyourface =Excessivelyagreeable
andpleasantinthedirectconfrontation @ Hank =Mr.Gorham

DIALOG 27

CarTheft

Byron:

DidyouhearaboutwhathappenedtoHoward?

Vance:

No,what?

Byron:

Someonestolehiscar!

Vance:

Really?Whendidithappen?

Byron:

Lastnight.Heleftitparkedinfrontofhisgirlfriends
houseandwhenhecameouttogohome,itwasgone.

Vance:

Wow!Thatsreallytough.Hejustbought it last month,

didnt he?

Byron:

Uhhuh.Fortunately,hes got insurance and the police

thinktheyalreadyhaveagoodlead.

Vance:

Well,Icertainlywishhimluck.

LanguageNotes

theft =actofstealing @ Wow! =Exclamationofamazement,

surprise, joy, etc. @ Thats really tough. = Thats too bad. @
agoodlead =astrongclue

27

DIALOG 28

GettingReady
Bill:

Wedonthavemuchtime!

Jerry:

ImhurryingasfastasIcan!

Bill:

Well,trytohurryalittlebitmore,willyou?Idont
wanttobe late.

Jerry:

Oh, we wont be late. You know how these affairs are.

They never start ontime.

Bill:

Maybe so. But I always like to get there on time.

Jerry:

Oh, youre suchafuddyduddy.Dontworry.Illget

youtherewithtimeto spare.

Bill:

Is that a promise?

Jerry:

Its a promise. Now leave me alonewhileIfinish

gettingready.

LanguageNotes

28

suchafuddyduddy =anextremelyfussy,hardtoplease,or
veryparticularperson. @ timetospare =excesstime

DIALOG 29

MakingaPurchase
Joan:

Howmuchisthis?

Clerk:

Youmeanthelargeoneorthesmallone?

Joan:

Thelargeone.

Clerk:

Theyreonspecialthisweek.Theyvebeenreduced
tofivedollars.

Joan:

Isthistheonlykindyouhave?

Clerk:

No.Wehavesomethataredifferentinstylebutnot
incolor.Theyreoverthere.Doyouseethesign?

Joan:

Oh, yes.IthinkIlllookat those over there before

I decide.

Clerk:

Very well. Just take yourtime.

LanguageNotes

onspecial =speciallowprice @ Justtakeyourtime. =Dont

beinahurry.

29

DIALOG 30

MailTime

Barbara: Themailhasarrived.
Norma:

DidIgetanything?

Barbara: Ithinkso.Letmelook.Yougotsomethingfromthe
bankandanadvertisementfromahealthspa.
Norma:

Givemetheletterfromthebank.Itmightbeimportant.

Barbara: Here.Maybeyouveoverdrawnyouraccount.
Norma:

Nodangerofthat.Idonthaveanymoneytooverdraw.
IhopeitsanofferofthatjobIappliedfor.

LanguageNotes

30

healthspa =healthresort @ Maybeyouveoverdrawnyour

account. =Perhapsyouvespentmoremoneythanisinyour
checkingaccountatthebank. @ Nodangerofthat. =Thats
notapossibility.

DIALOG 31

Bedtime

Angela:

Didyoulockthedoors?

Frank:

Allexceptthebackdoor.IleftthatopenforTim.
Hetookthedogforawalk.

Angela:

Well,Imgoingontobed.Imbushed.

Frank:

Okay.Imgoingtostayupawhile.Ivegottogo
overthehouseholdbudget.Werealittleoverspent
thismonth.

Angela:

PleasetellTimtoclosethedoortothebasement.
Idontwantthedogdowntheretonight.

Frank:

Okay.Goodnight.Seeyouatbreakfast.

LanguageNotes

Imbushed =Imexhausted,verytired. @ stayup =remain

awake @ Ive got to go over = I must read to examine
@ overspent =expensesinexcessofincome

31

DIALOG 32

GettingSomethingFixed
Lee:

Howlongdoyouthinkitlltaketofixit?

Repairman: Hardtotell.Sometimeswecanfindtheprob
lemrightawayandsometimesitmaytakean
hourortwo.
Lee:

ShouldIwaitorcomebacklater?

Repairman: Suityourself,butitsprobablybettertocome
backlater.
Lee:

Youwillgetitfixedtoday,wontyou?

Repairman: I dont see any problem. We should have it ready

foryoubythreeatthelatest.But,bettercallbefore
youcome.
Lee:

Okay.Thanksalot.

Language Notes

32

Hard to tell. = Difficult to predict. @ right away = immediately

@ Suityourself =Doasyouplease @ bythreeatthelatest
=nolaterthanthreeoclock

DIALOG 33

FamilyPlans
Wife:

Thegascompanyphonedthisafternoon.

Husband:

Aboutthegasstovethatweordered?

Wife:

Yes,andalsoaboutthegasfurnaceyouaskedabout.

Husband:

Whatdidtheysay?

Wife:

Theyregoingtosendsomeoneouttotalkwithus
aboutthefurnace.

Husband:

Good.Ithinkweredoingtherightthing. The old

furnacejustisntveryefficientanymore.

Wife:

Iagree.Weshouldbeabletoaffordanewfurnace
nowthatyougotthatraisein salary.

Husband:

Exactlymythoughts.

LanguageNotes

gascompany =publicutilitycompanyprovidingnaturalor
manufacturedgasforheating,cooking,etc. @ Ithinkwere
doingtherightthing. =Ithinkweareproceedingcorrectly.
@ affordanewfurnace =payforanewfurnace @ Exactly
my thoughts. = I agree.

33

DIALOG 34

PlanningaBusinessTrip
Dave: WhenshallIsaythatyouwillarrive?

Don:

TellthemthatIplantobetherebytomorrowafternoon.

Dave: ShallIhavethemmakeahotelreservationforyou?

Don:

Noneed. Imade one lastweek by telephone.

Dave: Do you plan to stay longer than three days?

Don:

I dont think so. I can take care of all the necessary

businessinthreedays.

Dave: Well,haveagoodtrip.
Don:

Thankyou.

LanguageNotes

34

Noneed. =Itsnotnecessary. @ Haveagoodtrip. =Have

apleasant,successfultrip

DIALOG 35

A ShortDiscussion

Rosalie: Dontforget,JimandAdrianarecoming
overtonight.
Tracy:

Ithoughttheywerecomingnextweek.

Rosalie: No.Tonightsthenight.Itoldyouatleast
ahalfadozentimes!
Tracy:

Well,Iforgot.

Rosalie: Youforgetalltooeasilyifyouaskme.
Tracy:

Anyway,Ivemadeotherplans.

Rosalie: Likewhat?
Tracy:

ItoldFrankIdhelphimworkonhiscar.

Rosalie: Then,youlljusthavetotellhimyou
cant come!

LanguageNotes

comingover =comingtovisit @ Likewhat? =Forexample?

@ workonhiscar =helprepairhiscar

35

DIALOG 36

FamilySquabble
Brother:

Comeon!Itstimetogo!

Sister:

Waitaminute!Justholdyourhorses!Whatsyour

hurry,anyway?

Brother:

Well,Ivegottostopandgetgasinthecar,first.

Sister:

Thatwonttakelong.

Brother:

Well,itwont iftheresnolineatthepump.

Sister:

Well,Imnotquite ready.

Brother:

Ill give you five more minutes, then Im going on

without you!

Sister:

You wouldntdoathinglikethat!

Brother:

Oh,yesIwould!

LanguageNotes

36

squabble =noisyquarrelhavinglittleimportance @ Justhold

yourhorses! =Dontbesoimpatient! @ lineatthepump= line
ofwaitingcarsatthegasolinepump @ notquiteready= not
completelyready

MORE DIALOGS FOR EVERYDAY USE

Short Situational Dialogs
for Students of English as a Foreign Language

D EAN C URRY
The 36 situation-based dialogs aim to present spoken Ameri-

can English in a relatively natural way. It is similar in format and

pedagogy to Dialogs for Everyday Use, but with longer conver-

sational episodes. Each dialog is accompanied by language

notes that provide useful information on grammar and intona-

tion patterns. Also available with this book and Dialogs for Everyday Use is an audiocassette of all the dialogs which allow students to use this book for self-directed study programs.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT

OF

STATE

Office of English Language Programs