Expressing wants and needs
Conversation: Looking for a new apartment
RECEPTIONIST: Good morning! How can I help you?
TED: I’d like to rent an apartment in this neighborhood and wonder if you can help me.
RECEPTIONIST: You need to talk to Shirley—she’s our go-to agent for apartment rentals. Here, I’ll take you to her office.
SHIRLEY: Hello, I’m Shirley. Have a seat and tell me what kind of apartment you’re looking for. Is it just for you?
TED: Well, that depends on what’s available. I’d really rather live alone, but if I don’t see anything that works, I could share a bigger place with a friend of mine.
SHIRLEY: OK. First, tell me what you have in mind.
TED: The most important thing is the location. I want to be in the city, preferably in this neighborhood, so I can walk to the university and to the metro station. I don’t have a car.
SHIRLEY: OK, then you don’t mind if there’s no parking space.
TED: Exactly. But I want a secure building. I also want it to have a living room, a dining room, one bedroom, and, of course, a modern kitchen and bathroom. I don’t really need all the bells and whistles, but I would like to have a balcony.
SHIRLEY: And what is your budget? I mean, what monthly rent are you thinking about, including utilities?
TED: I’m hoping to find something for about $700 a month.
SHIRLEY: Look, I can tell you right now there are no decent apartments in this area under $1,200 a month—and none of them have dining rooms or balconies. There are modern, secure buildings that are actually near the metro—but they’re at least six miles outside of the city.
TED There’s no way I’m going to live way out there. Do you think you could find a two-bedroom place closer in for, say, $1,400 a month? Something I could share with my friend?
SHIRLEY: Let me do a little research this morning and see what I can find. I’m not going to tell you that it’s impossible, but I can’t promise anything, either. Give me a couple of hours to see what’s out there. If I find anything worthwhile, we can go have a look this afternoon. In the meantime, I need you to fill out this form so I have your contact information. As a matter of fact, both you and your friend will have to fill out an application in order to be approved as tenants. I’m assuming you want a one-year lease. Is that right? Oh, one more thing: you don’t have a pet, do you?
TED: Yes, I’m willing to sign a one-year lease, and no, I don’t have a pet. And I’ll make sure my friend gets rid of his dog. He can leave it with his family—they have a place in the country. I’d better go give him a heads-up right now.
SHIRLEY: Good. Be sure both of you bring your financial and credit information with you.
TED: Right. We’ll see you at noon, then. Thank you very much.
SHIRLEY: See you later.
Improving your conversation
Need
There are several words that indicate that something is required. To need is used to require urgent attention or action to prevent damage.
I need a doctor. I’m really dizzy.
We need to rest. We’ve been working for six hours.
Flowers need water.
Need can also indicate a requirement dictated by someone else.
I need six more credits in order to graduate.
The children need to bring pencils and erasers to class.
To be a taxi driver, you need to have a special driver’s license.
To have to can indicate a personal need or an obligation to someone else.
I have to get my car fixed.
He has to work on Saturdays.
You have to complete the prerequisites before you can take advanced courses.
She was speeding and has to pay a $100 fine.
To be required to indicates you have to do something that is imposed by some sort of authority.
The children are required to do their homework before watching television.
The cadets are required to wear their uniforms to class.
This warrant means you are required to allow the police to search your office.
A requirement is a standard imposed on someone by some sort of authority.
Ability to speak another language is a requirement for this position.
It’s a requirement of the home owners’ association that you keep your yard neat.
A prerequisite is proof of previous instruction or ability necessary for a certain job, course, or position.
This course is open to beginners. There are no prerequisites.
A master’s degree in business is a prerequisite for this job.
Want
To want means to have a desire for something and indicates some belief that it will be attained.
We want to move to a better neighborhood. (We’re saving our money.)
She wants to go to college. (She is trying to make good grades in high school.)
He wants an ice-cream cone. (He is going to the ice-cream store/ordering ice cream.)
Would like indicates a desire that may or may not be possible to satisfy.
We’d like a house with four bedrooms.
I’d like to go on a vacation.
He’d like to be able to visit his family at least once a year.
Mind
To have in mind means to have a good idea of the kind of thing you want.
Sure, I’ll help you decorate your living room. What kind of look do you have in mind?
To have a mind to means to be strongly considering an action.
He stole money from me! I have a mind to report him.
To mind can mean to not be happy about something. This is the meaning used in the example conversation.
I don’t mind going to the store. I’m happy to do it.
To mind can mean to take charge of a store or shop.
Thank you for minding the store while I had lunch.
To mind can also mean to babysit.
Could you mind the children while I go to the store?
To mind can also mean to pay attention to.
No, I won’t babysit for your children, because they won’t mind me.
Don’t mind her—she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.
To make up your mind means to decide.
Do you want pizza or pasta? Make up your mind!
I can’t make up my mind between the SUV and the van.
To change your mind means to have a different idea or opinion than before.
I was going to paint the dining room red, but I changed my mind and painted it blue.
Never mind means to disregard what was said. Forget it is another way of expressing this.
Mind is also a noun that refers to the brain.
At the age of ninety-five, her body is weak, but her mind is still perfect.
A mind reader is someone who knows what someone else is thinking.
How was I supposed to know you had a headache? I’m not a mind reader.
There is and there are
There is indicates that something exists, and is followed by a singular noun.
There is a gas station up ahead.
There are indicates that more than one thing exists, and is followed by a plural noun.
There are several gas stations about three miles down the road.
Words that indicate that nothing exists—such as zero, no, and not any—are followed by a plural noun.
We have exactly zero applications for the position.
There are no heart specialists in this area.
She doesn’t have any brothers or sisters.
Likewise, the pronoun that takes the place of these words, none, is followed by a plural verb.
We have three teachers to contact, but none (of them) are available this week.
Have a look
To have a look means to make a short investigation.
Get rid of
To get rid of means to make sure to no longer have something.
The car used too much gas, so we got rid of it. We sold it last week.
You should get rid of that suit. It doesn’t look good on you.
Preferably
Preferably indicates someone’s first choice.
I’d like to buy a new car, preferably one that doesn’t use much gas.
Go-to
Go-to is an expression used as an adjective to describe a person, place, or object that people depend on or “go to first” for what they need.
You need a handyman? Call Ron—he’s my go-to person for everything that goes wrong in the house.
I love Cherrydale Hardware. It’s my go-to store for supplies.
Worthwhile
Worthwhile describes something that has value in terms of time, money, experience, or purpose.
The translation course is intensive, but it is really worthwhile.
Cancer research is a worthwhile cause.
Out there
Out there is an expression that refers to the real world, at the present time.
Go out and have fun! There are a lot of nice people out there.
I’m always careful walking at night. You never know what dangers are out there.
Utilities
Utilities include the services necessary for the functioning of a house or apartment, including those for water and sewage, heating, air-conditioning, electricity, and sometimes trash collection.
Some apartment buildings include the cost of utilities in the monthly rent, and some don’t.
All the bells and whistles
The expression all the bells and whistles refers to the most modern, up-to-date—usually expensive—features of homes and other buildings that are either new or recently remodeled.
The apartment has all the bells and whistles—a soaking tub with jets, multiple showerheads, granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances in the kitchen, energy-efficient appliances, and many more exclusive features.
Country
Country can refer to a nation.
Country can also refer to the areas that are distant from cities, often where there are farms.
We like to go to the country on weekends, to get some peace and quiet.
A heads-up
A heads-up is a warning that something is going to happen, so that the other person will be ready.
Hey, Mom—I’m bringing a friend home for dinner and wanted to give you a heads-up.
Say
Say can introduce an example of a possibility.
I’m sure you can get someone to pick you up. Why don’t you ask, say, Rosita or Laura?
Why don’t you paint this room a brighter color, say, yellow or green?
In the meantime
In the meantime indicates a period of time between two events. Another word with the same meaning is meanwhile.
It will be a big help if you go to the store and get what we need for dinner. In the meantime, I’ll set the table.
Joey had to go away for six months. In the meantime, Julie went to classes and learned to cook.
One more thing
One more thing is an expression used at the end of a series of remarks. It could be something important that you almost forgot to say or a question that you almost forgot to ask.
OK, now, go to school. Mind the teacher, try to finish all your work, and don’t pick fights with the other kids. One more thing: don’t forget to thank the teacher for helping you with your math!
So, doctor, I’ll take the medicine you gave me and go to physical therapy. One more thing—when do you think I’ll be able to go back to work?
Fill in each blank with an appropriate word or expression from this chapter.
1. Get up! We _________________ be at the airport by eight o’clock.
2. Do you _________________ anything from the drugstore?
3. I’m working hard because I _________________ to save money to buy a house.
4. Are there any _________________ for this course?
5. Waiter, we _________________ to order our meal now.
6. He fell down the stairs! He _________________ an ambulance.
7. Please, _________________ turning the music down?
8. In the military, you are _________________ obey orders.
9. Writing a ten-page paper is one of the _________________ of this course.
10. What do I _________________ do to get a license?
Match the words or expressions in the first column with those in the second column that have a similar meaning. There may be more than one match for each expression.
Circle the most appropriate response to each question or remark.
1. There are no decent men for me to date.
a. Come on! There are lots of worthwhile men out there.
b. Give me a heads-up.
c. Make up your mind.
d. Never mind. He’s our go-to person.
2. The utilities will cost us a fortune.
a. It’s a prerequisite.
b. Have a look at the basement.
c. Still, the house is worthwhile.
d. It’s out there.
3. Why don’t you consider a trip to, say, the Caribbean or Hawaii?
a. It’s not a requirement.
b. One more thing, it’s in the country.
c. I need a heads-up.
d. I wouldn’t mind that.
4. He’s our go-to mechanic.
a. I need to talk to him.
b. Get rid of the car.
c. I have a mind to drive home.
d. This is worthwhile.
5. This house has all the bells and whistles.
a. I don’t see any bells.
b. It’s out there.
c. I’ll mind them.
d. But it’s in the country.
Write a question or remark for each of the following responses. Ask an English-speaking friend to check your work.
1. ___________________________________________________
Give me a heads-up.
2. ___________________________________________________
It’s definitely worthwhile.
3. ___________________________________________________
Preferably, in the country.
4. ___________________________________________________
Let’s have a look.
5. ___________________________________________________
We wouldn’t mind.
6. ____________________________________________
I’ve changed my mind.
7. ___________________________________________________
How about, say, a ring or a necklace?
8. ___________________________________________________
None of them are here.
9. ___________________________________________________
She’s our go-to travel agent.
10. ___________________________________________________
Get rid of it.
Write a word or expression from this chapter for each definition.
1. to babysit
________________________________________________________________
2. to investigate
________________________________________________________________
3. to feel like doing
________________________________________________________________
4. zero
________________________________________________________________
5. to throw out
________________________________________________________________
6. to warn
________________________________________________________________
7. to have value
________________________________________________________________
8. between now and then
________________________________________________________________
9. to have a new opinion
________________________________________________________________
10. heat, electricity, water
________________________________________________________________
11. Oh, I almost forgot . . .
________________________________________________________________
12. not the city
________________________________________________________________
13. trusted source
________________________________________________________________
14. for example
________________________________________________________________
15. forget it
________________________________________________________________
16. the brain
________________________________________________________________
17. obligatory
________________________________________________________________
18. requirement for beginning
________________________________________________________________
19. modern features
________________________________________________________________
20. in today’s world
________________________________________________________________
Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Ask an English-speaking friend to check your answers.
1. What do you want to accomplish in the next five years?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
2. What do you need to do to reach your goals?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
3. What are you required to do at work/at school/at home?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
4. What do you have to do this week?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
5. What would you like to do this weekend?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
6. What chores do you not mind doing?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________