Striking up a conversation

Conversation: Running into a friend

NICOLE: Hi, Jen. What’s up? I haven’t seen you for ages.

JEN: Nicole! Fancy running into you here. Do you have time for a cup of coffee?

NICOLE: Sure. We really need to catch up. Do you work around here?

JEN: At the dress shop across the street. I’m a sales assistant for the time being, but I’m hoping they’ll promote me to buyer after I have some experience on the floor.

NICOLE: Oh—I love that shop. Their clothes are so trendy and different from the run of the mill. You look fantastic—I’ll bet their sales have gone up since you started working there.

JEN: Well—I try! The thing is, I enjoy the work, because I love the clothes, and I like helping people find what works for them. It’s actually quite fulfilling.

NICOLE: Good for you. And I think the idea of becoming a buyer is great. Before you know it, you’ll be working on your own designs. I remember how you used to dream of being a fashion designer.

JEN: Yeah, and I think this is a step in the right direction. Now, what are you up to? The last I heard, you were about to move across country. I hope you’re back to stay!

NICOLE: As a matter of fact, I just got back a couple of months ago. I’m glad I went, because now I know I really want to be here. I’m working as a waitress right now but am hoping to get a teaching job. I’ve applied to most of the local school districts so have my fingers crossed I’ll get something this fall.

JEN: What do you want to teach? I’ve heard there are openings for high school teachers in Howard County.

NICOLE: No way! I haven’t even applied there. I’ll do it as soon as I get home. Man, that’ll be awesome if they need a biology teacher. Thanks for the tip! Which reminds me—waiting tables isn’t all bad. On weekends I get pretty good tips. And banking on the info you just gave me, I think I’ll follow you back to work and splurge on a new dress!

JEN: Great. I already have in mind some things for you to try on.

Later:

NICOLE: Wow. I love this one. I guess I’m getting ahead of myself, but I have a feeling this is just what I need for the interview with the principal.

JEN: And for the first day of school!

NICOLE: Thanks so much for your help. Now I’m really pumped! I’m so happy I ran into you today.

JEN: Me, too. Let’s make sure we get together more often.

NICOLE: Yeah. I promise I’ll keep in touch.

JEN: Take care, and let me know what happens. Bye for now.

NICOLE: Bye—and thanks again!

Improving your conversation

What’s up?

What’s up? is an informal way of asking people how they are. What are you up to? is a way to ask people what they have been doing lately.

Run into

Run into means to see someone by chance or in an unexpected place.

Fancy running into you here

Fancy running into you here means I didn’t imagine I would see you. It is often said when you see people in places where you normally don’t see them. Other expressions you could use in this situation are fancy meeting you here and what a coincidence.

For ages

For ages and in ages mean for a very long time.

Before you know it

Before you know it means very quickly.

As soon as

As soon as indicates that something will happen at the same time that something else happens.

We’ll eat as soon as your dad gets home.

I’ll call you as soon as I get the information.

Used to

Used to has several uses.

To be used to (something) indicates a custom or habit.

At first it was difficult to live here, but now I am used to the cold weather.

I work the night shift, so I am used to staying up all night and sleeping during the day.

Used to (do) can indicate action that was once habitual but is no longer done, or a situation that was once true but no longer is.

She used to live next door to us.

He used to smoke.

I used to be married to him.

Used to (do) can also indicate an action that was done routinely in the past.

When we were little, we used to swim in the lake.

When he was a kid, he used to ride his bike to school.

This meaning can alternatively be expressed with would (always) or a past tense verb.

When we were little, we would always swim in the lake.

When we were little, we swam in the lake.

When he was a kid, he would always ride his bike to school.

When he was a kid, he rode his bike to school.

Try

Try on means to put clothing, shoes, or accessories on to see if they fit or if you like them.

I would never buy shoes without trying them on first.

Try this dress on. Let’s see how it looks.

Try out means to use a car or other equipment to see how well you handle it or if you like it.

Try to/try and indicate an effort to do something that may not be easy.

Try to be here before eight o’clock./Try and be here before eight o’clock.

Try + verb in -ing form (something) indicates a suggestion for solving a problem or problematical situation.

I try is a way to express modesty after receiving a compliment.

There is/there are

There is is followed by a singular or non-count noun to indicate that it exists.

There is a stop sign on the corner.

There is milk in the refrigerator.

There is too much pollution here.

There are is followed by a plural noun to indicate that more than one person, place, thing, or abstract notion exists.

There are a lot of bikes on the road.

There are too many people in this class.

Wow

Wow is a common way to express surprise.

I’ll bet

I’ll bet indicates sincere belief that what you are going to say is true, even though you have no proof.

What’s Maria up to? I’ll bet she’s making a lot of money.

However, if you are replying to someone else’s statement with I’ll bet, this indicates that you do not believe it.

No way

No way is another expression that can mean two opposite things: definitely no or that’s good news.

On the . . .

To be on the floor means to be working as a salesperson in a store.

I’ll bet you’re tired after being on the floor all day.

To be on the job means to be working on a project that requires physical labor.

Trendy

Trendy is an adjective that describes the latest fashions.

It looks like long skirts are trendy again this year.

Run of the mill

Run of the mill is a way to describe something very ordinary or nondescript. If used before a noun, it has a hyphen between each word; if used without a noun, there are no hyphens.

My shoes are comfortable but not trendy. They are quite run of the mill.

This book is quite interesting. It’s not just a run-of-the-mill romance novel.

Tip

A tip is an extra payment made to a server, taxi driver, beautician, barber, or anyone else working to provide a service.

The waiter gave us great service, so he got a good tip.

A tip can also be a helpful suggestion.

The teacher told us to answer the easy questions first. That was a good tip.

The thing is

The thing is introduces an explanation for a situation.

A step in the right direction

A step in the right direction refers to an action that will lead to success.

I’m so glad you’ve decided to go to college. That’s definitely a step in the right direction.

Be about to

To be about to means to be going to do at that moment.

I can’t talk anymore. We’re about to leave for the airport.

Fasten your seat belt. The plane is about to take off.

Which reminds me

Which reminds me introduces new information that is remembered because of something that was just said. An alternative to this expression is speaking of which.

I’m about to go shopping for Halloween costumes for the kids—which reminds me—do you still have the witch hat you borrowed from me last year?

I heard that Brittany was in town. Speaking of which, did you know she was getting married?

Have one’s fingers crossed

To have one’s fingers crossed means to indicate strong desire or hope that something happens.

I have my fingers crossed that we’ll win the game tonight.

Pumped

To be pumped means to be very excited and ready for an occasion or event. An alternative expression is all fired up.

The whole team is really pumped about the game tomorrow. We’re ready to win.

Bank on

To bank on means to rely on, count on, or trust certain information.

Splurge

To splurge means to spend more money than necessary on something, because you really want it.

She got a bonus at work, so she splurged on a first-class ticket.

Why don’t we splurge and buy the beautiful sofa instead of the run-of-the-mill one?

Another expression that indicates spending a lot of money is go overboard.

It was their anniversary, so they went overboard and stayed at a five-star resort.

Get together

To get together means to meet.

They get together every week to discuss their research.

Keep in touch

To keep in touch means to continue to contact each other.

They have kept in touch for more than thirty years.

Catch up

To catch up can mean to find out the news of a friend you haven’t seen in a while.

Let’s get together for lunch tomorrow. We have a lot to catch up on!

It can also mean to reach someone who is ahead of you.

She’s running so fast, we can never catch up with her.

Catch up can also mean to learn what the rest of the class learned when you weren’t at school.

After being home sick for a week, Adrian had to work hard to catch up on his lessons.

Get ahead of oneself

To get ahead of oneself means to make plans based on something that may not happen. Another expression that has the same meaning is to count one’s chickens before they hatch.

What? You just met him and you’re already planning what to name your children? Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself? You should never count your chickens before they hatch!

Have a feeling

To have a feeling about something is to think that it might be true or might happen.

They’ve never met, but I have a feeling they might like each other.

Make sure

To make sure means to follow all of the steps that will lead to a desired outcome.

Yes, you can take my car, but make sure you bring it back by four o’clock.

Let someone know

To let someone know means to tell a person information that he or she needs.

I’m not sure I can pick you up. I’ll let you know as soon as I find out if my car is fixed.

Me, too

Me, too is a way of saying that you agree with something positive that someone has said or that you have an activity in common with someone else.

Me, neither is used to express the same meanings after a negative statement.

Choose between There is and There are to complete the following sentences.

1.   _________________ only twenty-eight days in February.

2.   _________________ a lot of people in this city.

3.   _________________ a big pothole in this street.

4.   _________________ too many cars on the road.

5.   _________________ too much traffic here.

Fill in each blank with the correct form of the indicated verb.

1.   We’re not used to (live) _________________ in such a small space.

2.   We used to (live) _________________ in a big house.

3.   He’s fine now, but he used to (get) _________________ into trouble all the time.

4.   She used to (smoke) _________________. I’m so glad she quit.

5.   I can’t get used to (get) _________________ up so early.

6.   I used to (stay) _________________ up late every night.

7.   Are you used to (work) _________________ this hard?

8.   I know that guy. He used to (go) _________________ to my school.

9.   They are used to (be) _________________ cold in January.

10.   It’s hard to get used to (drive) _________________ in traffic.

Circle the word or words that best complete each of the following sentences.

1.   Always _________________ your best.

a.   try to do

b.   try doing

c.   trying on

d.   trying out

2.   I love these shoes. I’m going to _________________.

a.   try buying them

b.   try them out

c.   try them on

d.   try

3.   Before you buy any machine you should first _________________.

a.   try buying it

b.   try it on

c.   try it out

d.   try it

4.   You’re a very good driver! Thanks, _________________.

a.   I try to.

b.   I try.

c.   Try me.

d.   I’m trying to.

5.   I can’t get my finger to stop bleeding. _________________ a bandage on it.

a.   Try to put

b.   Try out

c.   Try on

d.   Try putting

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.

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 most appropriate response to each question or remark.

1.   What are you up to?

a.   I’m not used to wearing a suit.

b.   I used to try.

c.   I’m pumped up.

d.   I’m about to go on vacation.

2.   I’m going back to school.

a.   Me, neither.

b.   That’s a step in the right direction.

c.   Don’t get ahead of yourself.

d.   Thanks for the tip.

3.   Be sure to talk to my friend. He’s in charge of the program.

a.   Thanks for the tip!

b.   I’ll try it out.

c.   I’ll run into him.

d.   I’m on the job.

4.   Fancy meeting you here.

a.   Yes, what a coincidence.

b.   I haven’t seen him for ages.

c.   Yes, it’s a fancy restaurant.

d.   It’s a run-of-the-mill restaurant.

5.   It was great to see you again.

a.   I’ll catch up with you.

b.   Be sure to keep in touch.

c.   Try to catch up.

d.   You’re getting ahead of yourself.

Match each remark in the first column with all of the appropriate responses from the second column.

Supply the following information in complete sentences. Ask an English-speaking friend to check your answers.

1.   Write three things you used to do but don’t do anymore.

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2.   Write three things that you are used to doing now that you weren’t used to doing some years ago.

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3.   Do you keep in touch with an old friend? How?

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4.   What do you and your friends do when you get together?

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5.   What are you pumped up about?

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Write a paragraph of five sentences in which you tell what you try to do every day. Ask an English-speaking friend to check your answers.

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Write a conversation between two old friends who run into each other in a shopping mall—seeing each other for the first time in five years. Use at least eight of the expressions described in this chapter. Ask an English-speaking friend to check your answers.

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