Dialogue
Read the following dialogue aloud with your partner.
Fanny:
Good morning Andy. I would like to inform you that we intend to have a
meeting this afternoon at three o’clock. I would like to invite you to attend…
if it is convenient for you,
Wilson:
Oh, that sounds fine. However, I must request my boss to leave the office
because some staff are on annual leave in this period and there is a lack of
sufficient officers in the office. I will confirm later if it is possible. Where is
the meeting?
Fanny:
In the conference room on the 12th floor.
Wilson:
Who will attend?
Fanny:
Tommy, Stella and Pinkie have confirmed and I am trying to contact Alice.
However, she has not responded to my text message.
Wilson:
I suggest you attempt to contact Alice by another method. You may send her
an email.
Fanny:
Thank you. I will follow up your suggestion.
How natural-sounding do you think it is/
How could you improve it?
Possible Answer
Fanny:
Hi Andy. We’re having a meeting at three this afternoon, if that’s OK for you.
Wilson:
Should be OK but I’ll have to check with the boss as a load of people are
away on holiday and we’re a bit short staffed. I’ll let you know later. Where is
it.
Fanny:
In the conference room on the 12th floor.
Wilson:
Who’s coming?
Fanny:
Tommy, Stella and Pinkie, definitely, and I’m trying to get in touch Alice but
she hasn’t answered my text.
Wilson:
Why don’t you email her?
Fanny:
Yeah, I will.
Written and spoken forms
Verbs
Some of the verbs below are mainly used in formal written English. Others are more appropriate in
conversation. Put them into two lists and match the formal written verbs with the spoken ones.
ask
attend
be (in a place)
come
consult
get
give
hand in / send
inform
locate
obtain
provide
request
tell
manage to do something
say
see / look up state
submit
succeed
Formal written
inform
Spoken
tell
Answers
Some of the verbs below are mainly used in formal written English. Others are more appropriate in
conversation. Put them into two lists and match the formal written verbs with the spoken ones.
ask
attend
be (in a place)
come
consult
get
give
hand in / send
inform
locate
obtain
provide
request
tell
manage to do something
say
see / look up state
submit
succeed
Formal written
Spoken
inform
tell
attend
come
consult
see / look up (book) / ask (person)
locate
be (in a place)
obtain
get
provide
give
request
ask
submit
hand in / send
succeed
manage to do something