0308

The printer has gone out of action again.
SCENARIO: Used when sth is not working as it's supposed to.
DIALOGUE:
A: Not again!
B: What are you upset about?
A: The printer has gone out of action again.
NOTE:
Upset has many acceptable prepositions. It’s possible to say, upset about/ by/ at.
Example, I’m upset at the fact that I don’t know what she’s planning on my birthday.
The printer is not working again.
Have you called sb yet to have it serviced?
Have you called sb to fix this yet?
SCENARIO: Used when the speaker is asking if a machine or equipment is maintained in good condition.
DIALOGUE:
A: Have you called sb yet to have the photocopier serviced?
B: Of course, I have. We have our monthly maintenance. What’s wrong?
A: The photocopier isn’t working.
NOTE:
Maintenance is what all companies to do to keep their machines and things in good condition. No.1
No.2

I’m having trouble with the mail server again.
SCENARIO: Used when the speaker has some problems with the company mail system.
DIALOGUE:
A: This is getting on my nerves. I’m having trouble with the mail server again.
B: Have you upgraded your mail system?
A: Great! I failed to do that yesterday.
NOTE:
Sb fails to + verb. It means sb didn’t get what he/she wants.
I’m having problems with the mail server again.
Something’s up with the internet.
Something’s wrong with the internet,
SCENARIO: Used when the internet is slow or the performance is not as the good as expected.
DIALOGUE:
A: I think sth’s up with the internet. Can you help me out on this?
B: I’m sorry. I’m tied up centralizing our system. Why don’t you ask Charles? He’s just finished his break.
A: Ok, I’ll get him.
NOTE:
Be tied up + verb-ing means that the person is busy doing that thing. No.3
No.4

There’ no dial tone.
SCENARIO: Used when the telephone is not working and can't accept or make calls.
DIALOGUE:
A: I need to make a lot of calls today. But there’s no dial tone. How am I supposed to do that?
B: Try to figure it out. I’m very busy today.
A: How about if I use the phone in the conference room?
NOTE:
Try to figure sth out means to solve sth or decipher sth.
We’re running low on printer paper
We are running out of printer paper.
SCENARIO: Used there are a few or a little of sth.
DIALOGUE:
A: Ms. Miller, will you be buying our supplies later?
B: Yes, do you need anything?
A: We’re running low on printer paper.
NOTE:
Run out of means no more left. Running out of means almost nothing left. No.5
No.6

My rule of thumb during this kind of days is to use simple words then edit or change them the following day.
SCENARIO: Used when the speaker follows a general rule when he/ she doesn't know what to do.
DIALOGUE:
A: I’m not myself today. I can’t seem to get the right words.
B: My rule of thumb during this kind of days is to use simple words then edit or change them the following day.
A: Thanks, I need that.
NOTE:
Rule of thumb means a practical way of doing sth.
‘I’m not myself today’ means I’m not feeling as good as I usually am.
What I usually do in this kind of situation is simply to use easy words and then just edit or change them the following day.
I can’t get along without my IPad.
I don’t think I can focus without my IPad.
SCENARIO: Used when the person can't work or function properly without sth/sb.
DIALOGUE:
A: I need to get back home.
B: What do you mean? We’re going to be late for our meeting.
A: I can’t get along without my IPad. I have my outline there.
NOTE:
Outline is a list of words that could help a person remember things like in a presentation No.7
No.8

My workload is impossible.
SCENARIO: Used to express that the speaker has a lot of task to finish.
DIALOGUE:
A: You look worn out. Is everything ok?
B: Not really. My workload is impossible. I got to talk this over with Jim.
A Ok. But for now you got to stop. Go home.
NOTE:
Wear out means exhausted or stressed out.
Talk sth over with sb means to discuss sth with sb for advice or opinion.
I’m swamped.
I’m burning out from working 14 hours today.
I’m exhausted from working 14 hours today.
SCENARIO: Used when the person is very tired and/or may have difficulty working longer.
DIALOGUE:
A: I’m burning out from working 14 hours today. But getting a result like this is all worth it.
B: I’m with you on that.
A: Let’s call it a day!
NOTE:
Sth is all worth it means that the person is happy with the results after all the troubles that he/ she experiences. No.9
No.10

I’ve stretched to the limit.
SCENARIO: Used when the person is very tired and/or may have difficulty working longer.
DIALOGUE:
A: Care to have dinner with us?
B: No, thanks for the invite though. I’ve stretched to the limit. I just want to hit the sack.
C: See you tomorrow.
NOTE:
To hit the sack/ hay is an informal way of saying to go to bed.
I had a pretty rough day.
It’s a long and difficult day.
SCENARIO: Used when the speaker has a difficult day.
DIALOGUE:
A: We can continue doing this or we can do this for tomorrow. Your call.
B: It’s been a pretty rough day. Let’s keep this for tomorrow. Thanks everyone.
A: That’s a good call.
NOTE:
Your call means your decision to make.
Good call is good decision.
Bad call is bad decision. No.11
No.12

That’s ridiculous! I’m not paying for a $15 late fee because I miss paying $10.
SCENARIO: Used to express strong disapproval or anger.
DIALOGUE:
A: You have an amount due of $10 but there’s a late fee of $15 on top of it. The due date was 2 weeks ago, August 12.
B: That’s ridiculous! I’m not paying for a $15 late fee because I miss paying $10. I didn’t get my bill in the first place.
A: Since I can see here that you are a good payer, let me waive the late fee if you pay the $10 this week.
NOTE:
On top of it means an addition to the amount.
Miss a payment is when a person didn’t pay the due on or before the due date.
To waive a late fee is to ignore the rule of.
That's absolutely ridiculous!
Can I speak to the manager please?
SCENARIO: Used, in complaints, when the speaker would like to talk to sb higher in the operation to express her frustration/ anger.
DIALOGUE:
A: I was told that I could get one of these if I buy one of these. But this is defective. This is a rip off. I need to speak to the manager, please.
B: I’m sure we can work something out. How about if I replace this item that’s working?
A: Fine. I don’t mind if you do that.
NOTE:
Rip off means to steal sth from sb. People say that when they are charged with unreasonable fees, they are ripped off. No.13
No.14

I don’t think it’s fair to give a tip because the service is poor.
SCENARIO: Used when the speaker thinks sth is not enough or doesn't meet expectations.
DIALOGUE:
A: Shouldn’t we give a tip?
B: I don’t think it’s fair to give a tip because the service is poor. Nobody helped us with any of our bags. We have to use the staircase instead of the elevator.
A: In retrospect, you’re right!
NOTE:
Tip is a small amount of money given to a person who renders service.
In retrospect means to think about sth that has or had happened.
The printer is not working again.
I’m afraid there’s a slight problem with the truck. It won’t start.
I’m sorry to bother you but there’s a slight problem with truck.
SCENARIO: Used in minor problems which can be fixed in a short time.
DIALOGUE:
A: I’m afraid there’s a slight problem with the truck. It won’t start.
B: What?! Oh, my! We need to get these cupcakes to The Safari Hotel in 3 hours.
A: Call Joe, the mechanic. I think he’s up by now.
NOTE:
Mechanic is a person who fixes things.
Be up by now means the person is awake. No.15
No.16

You always boss me around.
SCENARIO: Used when the speaker feels that the other person doesn't respect him/her enough.
DIALOGUE:
A: I have enough of you. You always boss me around.
B: I don’t think so. I’m a just being honest.
A: Well, it’s not always good to be one.
NOTE:
Have enough of sb means the person doesn't have patience anymore.
I am honest means the person's character.
I am being honest means his behavior at the moment.
You never respect me.
I’d like to file a complaint with your employee’s attitude.
SCENARIO: Used in formal situation to document a complain to sb/ sth.
DIALOGUE:
A: I’d like to file a formal complaint with your employee’s attitude. She doesn’t want me to look at the bag on the shelf because she said I can’t afford it anyway.
B: I’m sorry for that ma’am. I assure you we will give disciplinary action to her.
A: I think she needs to be trained.
NOTE:
Can't afford sth means the person doesn't have the money to buy or pay sth.
Disciplinary action means a punishment so that the person will not do it again. No.17
No.18

I'm not at all satisfied with our service.
SCENARIO: Used in formal situations to express frustration.
DIALOGUE:
A: ‘Mr. Meadow conducted a survey with the company’s clients and 30% of them are not satisfied with our service. This is going to put us in the red. Next week, we will have our customer satisfaction training. Anyone who wishes not to attend for no valid reason, is free to hand in his resignation.’ What do you think?
B: I think it’s too threatening. How about if we try to keep it encouraging and firm?
A: I have to rewrite my speech.
NOTE:
In the red means a person or company with many debts or liabilities than profit.
Hand in a resignation is to give or submit a letter stating that you'll stop working in the company.
I’m really not happy with your attitude.
I’m not used to such impolite behavior.
I haven’t experience such impolite behavior.
SCENARIO: Used to express that sth is not right and not common in usual and/or polite situation.
DIALOGUE:
A: She has a good educational background and work experience. Why did you turn her down?
B: I’m not used to such behaviour. No please, excuse me, thank you or I'm sorry. Education and experience are important but so is character. Don’t worry, we’ll get the right one soon.
A: I understand.
NOTE:
Turn sb down is to say 'no', decline an offer or reject sth/ sb. No.19
No.20

I don’t want to sound critical but your employees should be better trained.
SCENARIO: Used when the speaker tries not to be rude but would still want to show disappointment.
DIALOGUE:
A: I’d like to share with you an observation.
B: Ok. Let me hear it.
A: You seem to be good man but probably too good. I don’t want to sound critical but your employees should be better trained. They are ordinary, nice but not very good. You need great employees to grow well as a company.
NOTE:
To share an observation is to tell another person his/ her perceptions or views.
The printer is not working again.
Excuse me if I seem out of line but I think you should rethink about this.
SCENARIO: Used when the speaker tries not to be rude but would still want to show disapproval.
DIALOGUE:
A: The employees are asking if we could have free coffee dispenser.
B: No, it’s going to cost a lot.
A: Excuse me if I seem out of line but I think you should rethink about this. Many of our employees are working late and if they don’t have coffee they’d be tired and nobody would want to work.
NOTE:
To cost a lot is the same as sth is expensive. No.21
No.22

Don't get me wrong but I think our packaging is a little dull.
SCENARIO: Used when the speaker tries not to be rude but would still want to show disapproval.
DIALOGUE:
A: Our sales is not what we’ve expected.
B: Don’t get me wrong but I think our packaging is a little dull. I think it needs a little touch of bright colors like pink, yellow or light blue.
A: Can you show us a sample next week?
NOTE:
Dull is another way to say that sth is boring.
Touch of sth is a little bit of sth.
Please don’t misinterpret my idea but I think you should improve the packaging.
We'll do our best to settle the matter to your satisfaction, sir.
We’ll do our best to settle the matter
SCENARIO: Used as a polite response to complaints.
DIALOGUE:
A: I don’t think that showing annoyance because somebody is slow at choosing something is an appropriate behaviour of an employee. I don’t think I can work with you.
B: We are terribly sorry about that. We’ll do our best to settle the matter to your satisfaction, sir.
A: Let me think about this before we go ahead.
NOTE:
Annoyance means the person is not happy, irritated or angry.
To settle is to solve or arrange sth. No.23
No.24

We’ll solve this.
SCENARIO: Used to show confidence that the problem can be solved.
DIALOGUE:
A: Hi, I don’t know how to set up this toy police car because there’s no manual inside. It’s my nephew’s birthday and he wants to play with this right off the bat. Can you help?
B: Of course. We’ll solve this thing. Please wait here, I’ll get a manual in the storage room.
A: Thank you. That would be very helpful.
NOTE:
Manual is a note that has instructions, directions, etc.
Right off the bat means immediately.
We'll solve this once and for all. Please come with me.
I’m afraid we can’t help you at the moment. He’s in a court room. Could you leave your contact phone number and address? We will contact you soon.
I’m afraid the manager/boss isn’t in at the moment. Could you call later?
SCENARIO: Used as a polite way of explain a delay but the problem is given importance.
DIALOGUE:
A: Is Mr. Bright in? I need to consult to him regarding some insurance policies.
B: I’m afraid he can’t help you at the moment. He's in a court room. Could you leave your contact phone number? We will contact you soon.
A: Tell him it's Mrs. Jones. He knows my number.
NOTE:
Consult is to ask for advice.
These are the possible structure of consult:
Consult sb about sth.
Consult with sb No.25
No.26

I suggest you leave it with us and we’ll see what we can do.
SCENARIO: Used when the speaker would like to own the responsibility of completing a task.
DIALOGUE:
A: I can't believe my husband forgot to bring the cake. A birthday party is not a party without a cake.
B: I suggest you leave it with us and we’ll see what we can do.
A: Thank you so much.
NOTE:
Leave it with/ to sb. It usually to make the person feel relaxed
I suggest you leave it with us and we’ll see what can be done.
I’m afraid there is nothing we can do about it.
Well, I’m afraid there isn’t much we can do about it.
SCENARIO: Used to express that sth can’t be solved.
DIALOGUE:
A: I drop the cell phone in a tub and it won't start. I turned it off and blowed dry it but it still didn't work.
B: I’m afraid there is nothing we can do about it.
A: I'm so disappointed with myself.
NOTE:
Blow dry is to use wind to dry sth. No.27
No.28

EXERCISE
PART 1: AVERAGE – Fill in the blanks.
A: I’m having trouble with the printer. I think ____________________.
B: Do you know how to fix this?
A: I don’t know. I’m afraid to touch it.
A: I’ve been trying to open my email for an hour but it’s not working . I think ___________________________.
B: Yes, the IT department is doing system maintenance. It will be finished in three hours.
A: That’s why!
A: We are _____________________whiteboard markers. I’ll buy some later. What color do you like?
B: Anything but red. I also need to get paperclips.
A: Don’t worry about that it’s on my list. Everything __________________of.
Instruction: Fill in the blanks.

CHALLENGE
Instruction: Make your own sentences. Use the phrases of this lesson. Your teacher will explain if you use it correct or not.
Suggestion: It’s easier to remember vocabularies if learners use personal or real situations or examples.
DIFFICULT
1.A customer thinks that you are rude because you accidentally turn your back on her. But it was just a coincidence. She was angry and she called for your manager. What would you say?
2.You ask the salesperson to show the bag on display. You like it and you are thinking of buying it. The salesperson told you that it’s not necessary because you can’t afford it anyway. What would you say?