Evolve Digital Level 4

Functional language summaries

Unit 1, Lesson 3: Making and responding to introductions..........................................3
Meeting someone for the first time..........................................................................3
Introducing someone to a coworker or friend..........................................................3
Responding to an introduction.................................................................................3
Unit 2, Lesson 3: Making, accepting, and refusing offers in social situations..............4
Making offers...........................................................................................................4
Accepting offers.......................................................................................................4
Refusing offers........................................................................................................ 4
Acknowledging an acceptance................................................................................4
Unit 3, Lesson 3: Apologizing and explaining what happened....................................5
Apologizing..............................................................................................................5
Explaining what happened...................................................................................... 5
Responding to an apology.......................................................................................5
Unit 4, Lesson 3: Exchanging and discussing opinions..............................................6
Exchanging opinions............................................................................................... 6
Discussing opinions.................................................................................................6
Making opinions more emphatic..............................................................................6
Unit 5, Lesson 3: Reacting to problems and disappointing news................................7
Reacting to a problem............................................................................................. 7
Asking for a solution................................................................................................7
Accepting a solution................................................................................................ 7
Accepting bad news................................................................................................ 7
Unit 6, Lesson 3: Offering, accepting, and refusing help with something....................8
Offering help............................................................................................................8
Refusing help...........................................................................................................8
Accepting help.........................................................................................................8
Imposing on somebody........................................................................................... 8
Unit 7, Lesson 3: Recounting conversations, news, and stories...............................10

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 Recounting a conversation or story.......................................................................10
Getting back on track.............................................................................................10
Unit 8, Lesson 3: Talking through options and encouraging actions.........................12
Talking through options.........................................................................................12
Encouraging actions..............................................................................................12
Offering a warning................................................................................................. 12
Unit 9, Lesson 3: Making generalizations..................................................................13
Making generalizations..........................................................................................13
Contrasting information......................................................................................... 13
Unit 10, Lesson 3: Keeping your listener engaged....................................................14
Keeping your listener engaged..............................................................................14
Showing you're interested in a story......................................................................14
Unit 11, Lesson 3: Discussing alternatives and giving recommendations.................15
Asking for options..................................................................................................15
Discussing disadvantages.....................................................................................15
Responding to suggestions...................................................................................15
Giving a personal recommendation.......................................................................15
Unit 12, Lesson 3: Recalling and sharing past experiences......................................16
Prompting a response........................................................................................... 16
Recalling a memory...............................................................................................16
Sharing experiences..............................................................................................16

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Unit 1, Lesson 3: Making and responding to introductions
Meeting someone for the first time
I don't think we've met before.
Is this your first day?
You're new here, right?
Introducing someone to a coworker or friend
Do you know anyone here?
Do you two know each other?
Have you met Pedro?
Let me introduce you to some people.
Responding to an introduction
I'm not sure, but hi, I'm…
No, I haven't. / No, I don't. Hi, I'm…
Yeah, we go way back. How's it going?
Yes, we met (this morning, yesterday, etc.)! Nice to see you again.

Insider English: "way back"

If someone says, "We go way back," they mean they have known each other for a
long time.
The phrase "way back" usually means a far distance, in time or in physical space.
"We met way back in high school."
"The bathrooms are way back by the information desk."

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Unit 2, Lesson 3: Making, accepting, and refusing offers in
social situations
Making offers
Anybody else want (a hotdog)?
Can I get/offer you something to drink?
Help yourself!
Here you go!
Would you care for/like a refill?
Accepting offers
Awesome, I'll check it out.
Thanks, that's great!
That'd be wonderful!
Refusing offers
I better not.
No, but thanks anyway.
No, I'm good.
Acknowledging an acceptance
Coming right up!
Here you go.
I'll be right back with that.
One sec.
Sure thing.
You got it!

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Unit 3, Lesson 3: Apologizing and explaining what
happened
Apologizing
I can't tell you how sorry I am!
I'm so/really sorry.
Explaining what happened
I can't believe I didn't lock it!
I just did the dumbest thing.
You'll never guess what I did!
Responding to an apology
Don't beat yourself up about it.
It's not the end of the world.
It's really no big deal.

Insider English: Anticipating bad news

People often use "Oh no, don't tell me…" when they anticipate they're going to
hear bad news.
A: Well, I left it outside a store, but only for, like, five minutes!
B: Oh no, don't tell me somebody stole it!

anticipate (v.) – to imagine or expect that something will happen

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Unit 4, Lesson 3: Exchanging and discussing opinions
Exchanging opinions
As I see it,…
I find it (really boring).
It's not so much that (I'm not interested), it's just that…
I really think…
Discussing opinions
But the thing is,…
Now, just a second...
That's a good point, but…
That's true, but…
Making opinions more emphatic
I couldn't disagree more.
That's not true at all.
You have it all wrong.

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Unit 5, Lesson 3: Reacting to problems and disappointing
news
Reacting to a problem
Can you check again, please?
I don't understand.
There must be some kind of mistake.
Would you mind taking another look?
Asking for a solution
I'd like to speak to the manager, please.
Is there someone else I could speak to about this, please?
There must be something you can do.
Accepting a solution
I'm glad it's/that's settled.
That'll work.
Accepting bad news
That's not what I wanted / was hoping to hear, but what can you do?
That's too bad, but hey,…
Well, it is what it is.
Well, that's life.

Insider English: Another word for group

For reservations, a group of people is often called a party.
A: Hi, there. Anderson, party of six, for 8 o'clock.
B: I'm sorry, sir, but we don't have a reservation in that name.

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Unit 6, Lesson 3: Offering, accepting, and refusing help
with something
Offering help
Can I help you with anything else?
Let me give you a hand with that.
Let me share my umbrella with you.
Would you like to sit down?
Refusing help
I can manage.
I'm OK. Thanks anyway.
Nope, it's all good.
You don't have to do that.
Accepting help
OK then, thanks.
Thank you, I really appreciate it.
That's very nice/kind of you.
Imposing on somebody
I don't mean to be rude, but would you mind…?
I'm sorry to have to ask, but is it OK if…?

Insider English: "I insist."

The expression "I insist" is a formal way to tell someone that you will not change
your mind.
A: Excuse me, would you like to sit down?
B: Oh no, I'm OK. Thanks anyway.
A: Please, I insist. I'm getting off at the next stop anyway.

Insider English: "Cut the line"

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When someone in the back part of a line doesn't want to wait and moves to the front
part of the line, they cut the line. You can also say jump the line.
A: I don't mean to be rude, but would you mind if I cut the line?
B: What? Yes, I do mind.

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Unit 7, Lesson 3: Recounting conversations, news, and
stories
Recounting a conversation or story
Apparently…
He was like,…
I heard that…
In the end…
Someone told me that…
The funny/strange thing was,…
Well, turns out,…
What happened was,…
You'll never believe/guess what…
Getting back on track
As I was saying…
I lost my train of thought!
What was I saying?
Where was I? Oh yeah,…

Insider English: Intonation

We sometimes use intonation on a word or phrase to tell another person that we
don't really believe what we're saying. We can show this in writing by using quotation
marks.

A: I heard that David missed Andrew's wedding because he lost his phone.
Apparently, he had all the info in there!
B: That's not what I heard. Someone told me that he "accidentally" overslept.

Insider English: "I'm like"

We use "I/he/she plus be plus like" to report what has been said in an informal way.
It's similar to saying "I/he/she said."

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"She asked him if he was upset about missing the wedding, and he was like: "Of
course!" and she was like, "You don't look upset."
"She was wearing a very nice suit, and I was like, "You must have a job interview!"

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Unit 8, Lesson 3: Talking through options and encouraging
actions
Talking through options
Have you tried…?
If I were in your shoes, I'd…
Is there any way you can…
Maybe you could…
You might want to…
Encouraging actions
I'd try that if I were you.
It can't hurt.
It wouldn't hurt to…
You've got nothing to lose.
Offering a warning
I'd avoid that if I were you.
I wouldn't do that if I were you.
You don't want to do that!
You might not want to do that.

Insider English: "I guess"

English speakers often use "I guess" to consider suggestions. You can use it to
show that you are thinking about doing something but haven't decided yet.
"I guess I could stay at a hotel Friday night."
"I guess I could ask him if I could attend by phone or Skype."

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Unit 9, Lesson 3: Making generalizations
Making generalizations
Generally speaking, (we leave 15–20%).
On average, (people tip 5–10%).
On the whole, (service jobs don't pay well).
People don't tend to (tip so much).
We generally (don't tip in fast food places).
Contrasting information
Really? We don't do it that way in my country.
That's not how we do it (in Portuguese).
We don't do that where I come from.
We don't eat nearly as late as that in the U.S.
We do things differently back home.
We handle mealtimes differently where I come from.

Insider English: On average

Usually, the phrase on average is used with a number or quantity.
"On average, I go to a restaurant three days a week."
"On average, people usually score between 50% and 70% on this particular test."

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Unit 10, Lesson 3: Keeping your listener engaged
Keeping your listener engaged
Are you ready for this?
But that's not all!
Isn't that amazing?
Wouldn't you know it?
You can imagine!
You know what?
You won't believe this, but…
Showing you're interested in a story
Don't tell me you…!
Let me guess – you…!
That's (so) funny/strange/great/crazy/awful/sweet!
You can't be serious!
You must be joking!

Insider English: Anyway

In conversation, anyway is commonly used as a way to change the subject, return to
an earlier subject, or get to the most interesting point.

Man: That hotel was simpler than the one downtown, but the staff was really friendly,
and – are you ready for this?
Woman: What?
Man: They upgraded us to a bigger room! Isn't that amazing?
Woman: Wow!
Man: I guess they felt sorry for us. Anyway, it was all so nice, we decided to go
there again next summer!

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Unit 11, Lesson 3: Discussing alternatives and giving
recommendations
Asking for options
Can you suggest an alternative?
Do you have anything else?
I'm looking for something different.
Suggesting alternatives
Another option would be…
They're a good alternative.
You could also try…
Discussing disadvantages
I don't think they're a great choice.
It might not be the best option.
Responding to suggestions
I like that option.
That could work.
That looks like a good alternative.
Giving a personal recommendation
If I were you, I'd choose / pick / go with…
I've always had luck with…
This one's always worked well for me.

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Unit 12, Lesson 3: Recalling and sharing past experiences
Prompting a response
Don't tell me you don't remember.
Do you remember that time we….?
Recalling a memory
I don't recall…
It's all coming back to me now.
That rings a bell.
That whole period's a bit vague…
Sharing experiences
Has that ever happened to you?
I had a similar experience once…
That's like the time that…
That reminds me of a story...

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