Making a case or arguing a point

Conversation: Selecting a company officer

BOSS: I’ve called you here to talk about the selection of a new director for the Customer Service Department. As you know, so far there are only two candidates, Martha Francis and Juliette Welch. First, I’d like to hear your comments, both pro and con, about Martha’s qualifications for this position.

IVANA: Well, I think Martha is the perfect person for this position. She’s been with the company for twenty years, so she knows the business inside out. She’s conservative and serious; plus she gets along with everybody.

APRIL: Yikes! In my opinion, if she becomes director, nothing will change. I mean, we wouldn’t see anything new—just the opposite—we’d keep on implementing the same programs as always.

KATIE: She isn’t known for thinking outside the box. What’s more, we’d start to see our current customer base fall off, simply because our competitors have enthusiastic new people and innovative programs. I’m just sayin’ . . .

TIM: I have to agree with April and Katie on this one. In the first place, Martha is too conservative; plus she’d hardly inspire any enthusiasm among the employees.

BOSS: Anybody else want to put their two cents in? OK. Then let’s talk about Juliette. What do you guys think?

IVANA: Look, if Juliette gets this job, it will be a total disaster for the company. In the first place, her fancy degree isn’t worth squat because she has zero experience. Besides, we don’t even know her very well. Good grief, she’s only been here since March, and to top it all off, we all know that she was fired from her last job.

TIM: Really. I’ve heard that her coworkers think she’s a bit uppity, like she thinks she’s the queen of the office. She’s not exactly popular with the other employees. I don’t think they’d be happy with her as the boss.

STAN: Well, since I put her name up, I have to say that I see her as a very bright and competent person. Still, I recognize that she lacks experience. And now that you tell me that her personality could cause friction among the employees, then I’ll go along with your decision in this case.

BOSS: Obviously, we haven’t found the ideal person to handle this job. We may have to look outside the company, which I don’t particularly want to do. We’ll meet here tomorrow at the same time. I’ll expect your suggestions—and they’d better be more promising!

Improving your conversation

Pros and cons

Pro can be used as a shortened form of professional—in this case meaning expert.

You painted the walls yourself? Man, you’re a real pro!

Pro can refer to the positive characteristics or positions in an argument. Con refers to the negative ones.

This issue has both pros and cons.

On the pro side, he’s a hard worker.

On the con side, he often comes to work late.

In the first place/plus/in addition

To begin a series of arguments that are intended to convince someone to agree with your pro (positive) argument, use in the first place. Subsequent arguments are introduced by in the second place, in addition (more formal), furthermore (more formal), what’s more, plus, and—to introduce the last argument—finally. For the frosting on the cake can be used instead of finally to indicate that the last argument mentioned is the strongest one of all. As if that weren’t enough and to top it all off are alternative expressions with the same function.

Our lake district is a wonderful place for a vacation. In the first place, it’s easily reached by car, and there is plenty of free parking for all visitors. In the second place, there are luxury hotels, with all the bells and whistles, as well as more economical inns and even campsites for those who like to rough it. What’s more, there are lots of things to do, from golfing to swimming and other water sports, plus many activities organized especially for children. Finally/For the frosting on the cake/As if that weren’t enough/To top it all off, the fresh air and quiet atmosphere guarantee you an invigorating, yet relaxing, break from city life.

Besides

In a con (negative) argument, the same expressions are used, with one exception: instead of in addition, besides is used.

I don’t recommend the lake district for a family vacation. In the first place, it’s very expensive for what it offers. In the second place, it’s just as hot there as it is in the city, and besides, the place is full of mosquitoes. Finally, the roads that take you there are jammed with traffic all summer. Why not opt for a change of scenery and go a little farther away?

So far

So far indicates what has happened between the beginning of something and the present time. It can go before the subject or at the end of the phrase.

We have a hundred signatures on the petition so far.

So far we have a hundred signatures on the petition.

Still

Still has a number of meanings. Here it indicates that what follows is contrary to and more important than what preceded it.

I would like to have that job. Still, it would be very difficult for me to move to another city to be able to do it. (I probably wouldn’t accept it if they offered it to me.)

It would be very difficult for me to move to another city to be able to take that job. Still, I would like to have it. (I would probably accept it if they offered it to me.)

On the other hand can be used for the same purpose.

I would love to move to a place with a better climate. On the other hand, my whole family lives here. (I’ll probably stay here.)

My whole family lives here. On the other hand, I would love to move to a place with a better climate. (I might move.)

Since

Since has a number of meanings. It can indicate the beginning of a time period that extends to now.

I haven’t seen my uncle since last Friday.

They’ve been living in their new house since June.

In the example conversation since means because, indicating convenience.

I can take you home, since your house isn’t far from mine.

Since you came early, you can help me finish setting up for the party.

Yikes

Yikes is an expression that indicates surprise—either good or bad.

Good grief

Good grief is an expression that indicates mild displeasure.

More homework? Good grief, Miss Thompson, you’ve already given us a paper to write!

Just sayin’ . . .

Just sayin’ . . . is an expression that is intended to subtly show the speaker’s desire that you consider something just suggested.

There’s a good movie on tonight, and I have a big flat-screen TV. Just sayin’ . . .

It could be that you’re being a little hard on your sister. Just sayin’ . . .

I mean

I mean introduces an explanation or further comment on what was previously said.

I really don’t recommend that teacher! I mean, she gives way too much homework.

You guys

You guys is an informal way to address more than one person. In the southern part of the United States, y’all is commonly used instead.

What are you guys doing for the Fourth of July?

What are y’all doing for the Fourth of July?

You people is considered extremely insulting. It’s best not to use it.

Friction

Friction can mean unrest, difficulty, or disagreement between two or more people.

You guys have got to learn to get along. There is too much friction in this office.

Really

Really can be used in several ways. In the example conversation it indicates agreement with what was said before.

The new teacher is fantastic. Really, she says she will help everybody get an A.

Total

Total, when used as an adjective (before a noun), means complete.

He’s a total slob. He never cleans his desk.

Zero

Zero, when used before a noun, means no amount of.

She’s hard to work for. She has zero patience.

Squat

Squat means nothing at all.

I went to every class, and I didn’t learn squat. It was all a review of the previous class.

Obviously

Obviously indicates that what is going to be said is already known by the listener(s); an alternative is of course.

John’s dog just died. Obviously, he’s feeling sad.

Hardly

Hardly means almost not at all.

She hardly has enough money to live on.

Hardly ever means almost never.

He hardly ever calls his mother.

Not exactly

Not exactly, when used before an adjective, means hardly.

Well, this is not exactly the best pizza I ever ate.

Inside out

Inside out can indicate that an inner surface has become the outer surface.

You have your shirt on inside out.

It can also indicate a thorough knowledge of something.

Get Pierre to help you with your French. He knows the grammar inside out.

Keep on

To keep on means to continue or not stop. It is followed by a verb in -ing form.

We can’t take a break. We have to keep on studying.

Think outside the box

To think outside the box means to be creative or to always have new ideas for solving problems.

When she solved the school’s traffic problem, she was really thinking outside the box.

Fall off

To fall off can mean, literally, to accidentally disappear from a high point.

He broke his leg when he fell off the diving board.

It can also mean to decline or be reduced.

Sales of new houses began to fall off during the month of January.

Put one’s two cents in

To put one’s two cents in means to offer one’s opinion.

Everybody is arguing about this. OK, I’ll put my two cents in: we should go home and think about this and then try to discuss it calmly next week.

A bit uppity

To be a bit uppity means to act as if you were superior to other people. Alternative expressions include to be stuck-up/to be snooty/to be a snob.

Maybe she’s just not used to the job, but the new secretary seems to be a bit uppity.

Put someone’s name up

To put someone’s name up means to nominate someone for a position or office.

No, I’m not running for president of the fraternity. I don’t know who put my name up.

Go along with

To go along with means to accept an idea or decision.

I really don’t agree with some of these rules, but I will go along with whatever the majority decides.

Handle

To handle means to do whatever necessary to perform a duty in a satisfactory way.

The job is hard, but I think she can handle it.

To handle can also mean to touch.

Please do not handle the merchandise.

Had better

Had better indicates a warning and implies that if something isn’t done, there will be negative consequences. It is usually used in the form of a contraction.

They’d better arrive on time. [Otherwise, they’ll miss the bus.]

I’d better not go out tonight. [I have a test tomorrow that I need to study for.]

You’d better not tell anyone my secret. [If you do, I’ll be very angry.]

Fill in each blank with the word or expression (e.g., in the first place, in the second place, plus, in addition) that best organizes a convincing argument.

1.   Man, I’m not going to see that movie.

a.   _________________, it’s a chick flick.

b.   _________________, it’s starring Myra Delgado.

c.   _________________, it lasts two and a half hours!

2.   Girl, I can’t wait to see that movie.

a.   _________________, it’s a chick flick.

b.   _________________, it’s starring Myra Delgado.

c.   _________________, it lasts two and a half hours!

3.   This is a house you should consider buying.

a.   _________________, it’s in a fantastic location.

b.   _________________, it’s in a great school district.

c.   _________________, it has four bedrooms and four bathrooms all on one floor.

d.   _________________, the kitchen has been completely updated.

e.   _________________, the backyard is private, and there is room for a swimming pool.

Match the words or expressions in the first column with those in the second column that have a similar meaning. Note: There may be more than one match for each expression.

Circle the word or expression that best completes the following sentences.

1.   Don’t stop now. You need to _________________.

a.   put someone’s name up

b.   top it all off

c.   keep on trying

d.   be stuck up

2.   We need to work harder to keep our profits from _________________.

a.   going along

b.   falling off

c.   handling it

d.   keeping on

3.   I’d like to get to know her, but she seems to be _________________.

a.   a bit uppity

b.   falling off

c.   thinking outside the box

d.   putting her two cents in

4.   This is a big project. Do you think you can _________________?

a.   keep on it

b.   top it all off

c.   fall off it

d.   handle it

5.   I’ve heard everybody’s opinion except yours. It’s time for you to _________________.

a.   put your two cents in

b.   think outside the box

c.   handle it

d.   be a bit uppity

6.   We need to _________________ if we want to compete in today’s market.

a.   think outside the box

b.   top it all off

c.   be a bit uppity

d.   fall off

7.   We’re in a bit of trouble. Our profits are _________________.

a.   inside out

b.   falling off

c.   stuck-up

d.   topping it all off

8.   It’s been a bad week. Long days at the office, problems at home, and _________________, I’ve come down with the flu.

a.   to go along with that

b.   to put your name up to

c.   handle that

d.   to top it all off

9.   Do you want to be treasurer? I’ll _________________.

a.   fall off

b.   put your name up

c.   keep on trying

d.   put your two cents in

10.   You think we should get a new car? I’ll _________________.

a.   think outside the box

b.   go along with that

c.   top it all off

d.   put your name up

Circle the word or expression that best completes each of the following sentences.

1.   _________________ you’re here, you might as well wait.

a.   Good grief

b.   Really

c.   Yikes

d.   Since

2.   It’s a beautiful day. Maybe you should take a break and go for a walk with me. _________________

a.   I mean . . .

b.   Just sayin’ . . .

c.   Still . . .

d.   Furthermore . . .

3.   _________________! You’ve been working for nine hours.

a.   Good grief

b.   Since

c.   Just sayin’ . . .

d.   Still

4.   I’m ready for a vacation; _________________, I haven’t had one for more than a year.

a.   Still

b.   I mean

c.   hardly ever

d.   so far

5.   What’s the matter? You _________________ call me anymore.

a.   still

b.   obviously

c.   hardly ever

d.   so far

6.   How many miles have we driven _________________?

a.   hardly

b.   squat

c.   so far

d.   still

7.   You have the flu. _________________, you should go home.

a.   Still

b.   So far

c.   Obviously

d.   Total

8.   You paid $200 for a pair of shoes? _________________!

a.   Just sayin’ . . .

b.   Yikes

c.   I mean

d.   Squat

Match the words or expressions in the first column with those in the second column that have a similar meaning. Note: There may be more than one match for each expression.

Write an appropriate completion to each of the following sentences. Ask an English-speaking friend to check your work.

1.   This is a fantastic opportunity. Still, _________________________________________.

2.   I don’t want that job, and besides, _________________________________________.

3.   He plays the violin professionally. Obviously, _________________________________________.

4.   Yikes! _________________________________________.

5.   I’m sad, since you hardly ever _________________________________________.

6.   I’ll go along with _________________________________________.

7.   My best friend is not exactly _________________________________________.

8.   I hope no one/someone puts my name up for _________________________________________.

9.   This is ridiculous, I mean, _________________________________________.

10.   So far this week, I haven’t _________________________________________.

Write five sentences indicating what you think you’d better do in order to avoid negative consequences. Indicate what those consequences would be. Use the following sentence as a model. Ask an English-speaking friend to check your work.

I’d better go to bed early tonight; otherwise, I’ll be too sleepy to do well on my exam.

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Write a convincing argument about a topic that you feel strongly about. Use at least ten of the words or expressions explained in this chapter. Ask an English-speaking friend to check your work.

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