Page 33 - 6689

32

- That's too bad. I was hoping everyone would be there.

b. A friend invites you to dinner, but you can't stand his roommates.
- How about coming over for dinner Sunday night? We're having a small dinner
partry.
- ………………….
- O.K., maybe another time.

 MISCELLANEOUS

1. Ask English-speaking instructors or students to make up a list and rank the expressions for
politeness for

a) asking permission;
b) giving advice

2. Analyze directives and negative commissives in the following extracts.

1. “ I have no desire to help you. You forget that I am simply indifferent to the whole
thing. It has nothing to do with me”.
“Alan, I entreat you. Think of the position I am in. Just before you came I almost
fainted with terror. You may know terror yourself some day. No! Don’t think of that.
Look at the matter purely from the scientific point of view. You don’t inquire where the
dead things on which you experiment come from. Don’t inquire now. I have told you
too much as it is. But I beg of you to do this. We were friends once, Alan.”
(O.Wilde, Dorian Gray: 166)
2. “Don’t go to the theatre to-night, Dorian”, said Hallward. “Stop and dine with me”.
“ I can’t, Basil”
“ Why “
“Because I have promised Lord Henry Wotton to go with him”.
“He won’t like you the better for keeping your promises. He always breaks him own. I
beg you not to go”.
Dorian Gray laughed and shook his head.
“ I entreat you”.
(O.Wilde, Dorian Gray: 34)

3. An English-speaking friend called and invited you to dinner, but you don’t feel like going.
What might you say? Act out the dialogue.

4. Are the age and status of the person you are speaking to influence the forms of greetings,
introductions and saying good-bye?

5. How do English-speaking people get attention, clarify topics, avoid topics and interrupt?
Give examples.

6. Give examples of apologies and excuses for serious occurrences as compared to minor
ones:
1) apologizing to someone who knows the situation;
2) apologizing when admitting mistakes;
3) apologizing for changing future plans