Lesson 4 – What is the alternative?

• summarise and present problems
• focus on ways to discuss options and express cause and effect
• learn phrases for talking about possible outcomes
• practise pausing to sound clear when discussing problems.

If we are explaining a problem, we can say:

• I’ve got a real dilemma (this Sunday.)
• The problem is  (..pause..) that I want to …. but….
• I can see problems arising (on Sunday…)
• What if …   Or, more likely, I bet …
• So I don’t know what to do. If  …, ….. but if I don’t …, ….
• Yeah, that’s one option. But, you know, I …

If we are the listener who want to ask for more details, we can say:

• What’s that?
• So, how’s that a problem for you?

If we are the listener who want to agreeing with the speaker, we can say:

• Oh, I see what you mean.
• Yep, that’s a dilemma alright.

If we are the listener who want to offer advice, we can say:

• Can’t you just make a polite excuse? You don’t have to give (him/her/them) the exact reason, do you?
• Perhaps you should just (go …. ) to avoid these complications
• You are better to stay away from that problem

Other phrases that I have learnt from the lesson: 

he might be upset with me for being evasive, you know, not giving him the whole truth. He’ll see me as part of some conspiracy against him.

get on well with (someone)
I really get on well with (Mark)   [Writing] =I hit it off with (Mark)                 [Verbal]

hang out with = to spend time with (someone)
he hangs out with (someone)
I’d like to hang out with (someone)