专题一--牢记常见的英语套话

中英文化，既有趋同性，也有趋异性。但两种文化在大多数情况下是相同的，比如在“礼貌原则”的使用上，在运用语言的预设、蕴涵和言外之意等方面，两种文化的思维方式和表达方式是很接近的，我们可以依靠母语的经验，运用和汉语相同的程序来获取和表达英语中的意义，逐步培养自己按规则自然生成语言的能力。但是，文化的趋异性虽然在人际交往中不占主导地位，却是多数外语学习者容易出现失误的地方，也是同学们在应试中，尤其是在听力和口语测试中容易丢分之处。所以，在平时学习中，同学们要适当注意操练现成的语块，即公式化语言或者叫套话。为便于同学们尽快适应听力和新题型对话填空题中对口语功能项目的要求，轻松应对单项填空题中对语用知识的考查，现将常见的英语套话以练习的形式总结如下：

    On the right below are some common colloquial responses, i.e. phrases often used in particular, informal situations. Of course, different people respond in different ways, but the phrases below are very common. Try to remember them.

1.Can I bring some friends to the party?           The more the merrier.

2.How did you know I had a boyfriend?          A little bird told me.(=I can’t tell you who told me about it. It’s a secret.)

3.Fancy a cuppa?(=What about a cup of tea?)       I could do with one.(=I’d love one.)

4.You mustn’t tell a soul.                       My lips are sealed.

5.Did you manage to catch the train?              By the skin of my teeth.

6.I’ve got some gossip.                         I’ m all ears.(=Tell me. I’m listening.)

7.I really can’t afford to eat here.                 Don’t worry. It’s on me!(=I’ll pay for it.)

8.I’ll get these drinks.                          It’s my round.(=I’ll buy everything.)

9.Do you know where the cinema is?             Sorry, haven’t got a clue.(=I know nothing

                                            about it.)

10.I think I’ll stay in actually.                   OK, suit yourself.(=OK, do whatever you

want to do.)

11.Can you lend me a tenner?                   You must be joking!(=It’s impossible.)

12.I’ve got an exam tomorrow.                   Rather you than me!(I’m glad you’ve got one. Fortunately I haven’t got.)

13.I’ll pay you back ,really I will.                 I’ll believe it when I see it!

14.That’s the joke.Don’t you think it’s funny?       I don’t get it.(=I don’t understand.)

15.I’ve eaten too much. I feel sick.                Serves you right.

16.England is so expensive!                     You can say that again!(=I agree with you.)

17.I don’t know how you can drive around London.  There’s nothing to it.(=It’s easy. Anyone

can do it.)

18.We bumped into John’s teacher in Venice!       It’s a small world.

19.Who do you think is to blame,                 It’s six of one and half a

the boss or the workers?                      dozen of the other.

20. People say you’re very generous.              Flattery will get you nowhere.

21. Where shall put your case?                   Dump it anywhere.

22. I like your new car.                         Care for a spin?

23. I thought you were going to accept the offer.     I’m having second thoughts.

24. Bobby’s in trouble at school.                  Well,boys will be boys.

25. I’m afraid this is the only job I can offer you.    Beggars can’t be choosers.

26. I didn’t get the job.                         Well,you can’t win them all.                 

注：1、The more the merrier.是这一情境中的习惯说法，不宜说成The more the better.

2、By the skin of my teeth.意为“勉强、刚好”怎样。

3、It’s my round.=I’ll buy rounds.buy rounds意为“为所有人买单”。在英国，朋友们在一起饮酒时，第一杯可由别人付帐，但饮第二杯、第三杯时应自己主动去买。

4、tenner,fiver,quid,grand都是英国口语中表示英镑（纸币）数量和单位的名词。a tenner=₤10, a fiver=₤5, a quid=₤1, a grand=₤100。

5、Serves you right.相当于You did it yourself.意为“活该”。

6、It’s six of one and half a dozen of the other.指责任均摊。

7、Care for a spin?意为“要不要试一下？”

8、I’m having second thoughts.意为“我正在进一步考虑。”

9、Well,boys will be boys.意为“男孩毕竟是男孩。”

Do this quiz to find out what you know about what to say when to English people.

1.Your friend had an interview. What do you ask her after?

2.You’re pouring your friend a drink and want to know how much he wants. What do you say?

3.You don’t want much hair cut off. What do you say to the hairdresser?

4.You decide you don’t want to buy something the assistant has shown you. What do you say?

5.How do you ask about a place to meet? In one word.

6.The phone line goes dead in the middle of the conversation/call. What do you say when you call your friend back?

7.You need to find some information that a caller needs. What do you say to mean they have to wait a moment?

8.You have to change an appointment for the 4th time! What do you say to this person?(not just “sorry”)

9.You are speaking to a friend on the telephone and you want to signal that you’d like to end the conversation. What do you say?

10. You are on a crowded train. You see an empty seat beside another passenger. You want to find out if someone else is sitting there. What do you say?

11.You are in a shop. You don’t intend to buy anything, you just want to look. The shop assistant says, “Can I help you?” What do you say?

12.Someone you don’t know very well asks you, “Do you mind if I smoke? You don’t like smoking but you don’t want to offend them. What do you say?

The answers: 1.How did it go?  2.Say when./How much would you like?  3.Just a trim.  4.It’s the wrong size./I think I’ll leave it./I’ll think about it.(make some kind excuse)  5.Whereabouts?（大概在哪里？/靠近哪里？）  6.It’s a bad line./Sorry about that. We must have got cut off.  7.Hold on a moment, please./Could you bear with me a moment?  8.Sorry to mess you around like this.  9.Oh, the line is noisy./Oh, I feel a bit tired.(You may tell a white lie.)  10.Excuse me, is this seat free (taken, occupied)?  11.I’m just looking around. Thank you.  12.I’d rather you didn’t if you don’t mind.

The following common phrases are associated with particular situations. Think out briefly who would say it and in what circumstances.

1.Mind the doors!/Mind your head!/Mind the gap!

2.To eat here or take away?

3.Many happy returns.

4.How do you plead?

5.Have you anything to declare?

6.Heel!/Behind me./Keep beside me.

7.Take this prescription and come back and see me in a week.

8.I’m putting you through.

9.A pint（品脱） of bitter（一种啤酒） please.

10.Going…going…gone!

11.Here’s to the bride and groom.

12.I now pronounce you man(husband) and wife.

13.I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

14.This won’t hurt.

15.God bless her and all who sail in her.

16.Amen./So be it.

17.Once upon a time…

18.Say “Cheese”.

19.All aboard!

20. Please fasten your safety-belts.

The answers: 1.in a train/ in a hotel; in the lift, on a platform  2.in a fast-food shop  3.on one’s birthday  4.in the court  5.at the customs or seaport  6.saying to a dog  7.at the doctor’s  8.(an operator) at the reception  9.in a pub  10.at an auction（拍卖）  11.at a wedding  12.in a church/at the register  13.in the court/in the Bible 14.a nurse (when giving an injection)  15.on a new ship when it gets into the water  16.in a church when praying  17.at the beginning of a story  18.a cameraman when taking photos  19.when getting in or on a plane, ship or train  20. air-stewardess to passengers before take-off or landing.

Translate the following sentences into Chinese.

1.Do you have the time?

2.I'm pressed for time.

3.It's about time.

4.We have thirty minutes to kill.

5.Don’t dream away your time.

6.Time will tell.

7.Let bygones be bygones.

8.Stay tuned!

9.My mouth is watering.                                                                                              

10.Let's get a bite.

11.I have a sweet tooth.

12.Let's talk over coffee.

13.It's my treat this time.

14.It's on me./My treat.

15.I would like to check out.

16.Let's go Dutch.

17.What a good deal!

18.Allow me.

19.Count me on.

20.Don’t count on me.

21.I owe you big time.

22.Where can I wash my hands?

23.Can you keep an eye on my bag?

24.I'm not myself today.

25.I am under the weather.

26.Don’t keep the truth from me.

27.I won't buy your story.

28.Don’t give me that!

29.You can count on us.

30.He always talks big.

31.Tune him out!

32.I wasn't born yesterday.

33.Don't give me a hard time!

34.Get out of my face!

35.Don't get me wrong.

36.I am behind you.

37.Don't look wise.

38.You're going too far!

39.It’s going too far.

40.She gives me a headache.

41.I'm fed up with him.

42.Take heart.

43.Maths is beyond me.

44.Let's call it a day.

45.It's better than nothing.

46.It's up in the air.

47.You bet!

48.It's up to you.

49.You're the boss.

50.You have the final say.

51.Whatever you say.

52.Let's give him a big hand.

53.That's really something.

54.Two thumbs up！

55.I'm dying to see you .

56.I can't make it.

57.You can never tell.

58.What's the rush?

59.I couldn't agree more.

60.Keep it up!

61.Don’t let me down.

62.Don't just shake your head.

63.You've got to do something.

64.Let me sleep on it.

65.I couldn't help it.

66.You're wasting your breath.

67.The answer is zero.

68.Never teach fish to swim.

69.Have you lost it?

70.I couldn't care less.

71.You have my word.

72.I don't feel up to that.

73.What's up?

74.I'll say.

75.It beats me.

76.I don't get the picture.

77.It slipped my mind.

78.I quit.

79.Just go for it.

80.No way!

81.Forget it!

82.Please yourself!

83.After you.

84.I'm really dead.

85.Mind you!

86.It's a deal.

87.That's it.

88.Hey, give me five.

89.Get out of here！

90.Get me a break!

91.Don’t trust to chance.

92.Hold your tongue！

93.The wall has ears.

94.Don’t fall for it.

95.Bless you!

96.Long time no see！

97.Wonders will never cease!

98.Clothes make the man.

99.So far, so good.

100.It doesn’t make sense.

    The answers: 1.现在几点钟？  2.我时间紧迫。  3.时间差不多了。  4.我有三十分钟空闲时间。  5.不要虚度光阴。  6.时间会证明的。  7.过去的就让它过去吧。  8.稍等一下。  9.我馋得流口水了。  10.去吃点东西吧！  11.我喜欢吃甜食。  12.我们边喝边谈。  13.这次我请客！  14.我请客。  15.我想结帐。  16.各付各的。  17.真便宜！  18.让我来。  19.算上我。  20.别指望我。  21.我欠你太多了。/你对我的帮助使我感激不尽。    22.请问洗手间在哪里？  23.帮我看一下包好吗？  24.我今天心神不宁/身体不舒服。  25.我不太舒服。  26.别瞒着我事实真相。  27.我不信你那一套。  28.少来这一套！  29.你可以信赖我们。  30.他总是吹牛。  31.别听他的。/不理他。  32.我又不是三岁小孩。  33.别跟我过不去！  34.离远一点，别烦我！  35.不要误会我。  36.我支持你。  37.别自作聪明。  38.你太过分了！  39.太离谱了。  40.她让我头疼。  41.我受够他了。  42.勇敢一点。/振作起来。   43.我对数学无能为力。  44.今天就到这里了。  45.总比什么都没有好。  46.尚未确定。  47.当然。  48.由你决定。  49.听你的。  50.你说了算。  51.随便你。  52.让我们热烈鼓掌。  53.真了不起。  54.非常好！  55.我真想见你。  56.我去不了。/我赶不上。  57.不知道。/谁也没有把握。  58.什么事那么匆忙？  59.我完全同意。    60.坚持下去。  61.别让我失望。  62.别光摇头，想想办法！  63.你一定要想办法。  64.让我考虑一下。  65.我没办法。/我情不自禁。  66.你在白费口舌。  67.白忙了。  68.不要班门弄斧。  69.你疯了？  70.我不在乎。  71.我保证。  72.我觉得不能胜任那工作。  73.有什么新鲜事吗？  74.我也有同感。  75.我不知道。  76.我不明白。  77.我忘了。  78.我不干了。  79.放手去做。  80.免谈！/决不！   81.休想！  82.请便！  83.你先请。  84.我真要累死了。  85.请注意！听着！  86.一言为定。  87.完了。/没有了。/对了。  88.嗨，好啊！  89.别骗了！/别开玩笑了！  90.别开玩笑了！  91.不要碰运气。  92.不要再说！  93.隔墙有耳。  94.别上当。  95.祝福你！  96.好久不见！  97.世界真奇妙。  98.人要衣装。  99.目前还不错。  100.这没有意义。