* 15 Visiting (p.2 of 6)
15.7 When you need to explain why you are late
I couldn't get a taxi. Listen A “I could not catch a taxi cab.” <“I couldn’t get a taxi. I thought I would never get here.”>
I couldn't get a cab. Listen <“My God! I couldn’t get a cab. I never thought it would be so hard to get a cab in Manhattan on a Friday night.”>
My ride didn't show up. Listen A “The car that was supposed to pick me up never showed up.” <“My ride didn’t show up. I lost much time waiting for them. I don’t know what happened.”>
I missed my ride. Listen <“Unfortunately, I missed my ride, and I had to take a city bus.”>
I missed the train. Listen <“I missed the train. I don’t know how it happened.”>
The bus was late. Listen <“The bus was late. I boarded it half an hour later than the schedule.”>
I ran out of gas. Listen <“Somehow I miscalculated the distance. I ran out of gas.”>
I had to stop for gas. Listen <“I had to stop for gas. The waiting line at the gas station was unusually long.”>
I had to get gas. Listen <“I had to get gas, and I couldn’t find a gas station.”>
I was stuck in traffic. Listen A “I was held in a traffic jam.” <“I was stuck in traffic. I lost a good deal of time.”>
Traffic was slow. Listen <“Traffic was slow. Streets were busy. I thought it would be quicker to take the main freeway. No way!”>
Traffic was hell. Listen <“Traffic was hell. I tried both the freeway and the back road.”>
I got lost. Listen A “I lost my way.” <“I got lost. The police blocked the main road, so I had to take a detour.”>
I missed my exit. Listen A “Inadvertently, I missed the exit ramp which I intended to take.” <“Traffic on the freeway was hell. I didn’t change lanes on time, so I missed my exit. I took the next exit and got lost.”>
There was construction. Listen <“There was construction, so I missed my exit.”>
There was an accident. Listen <“All the traffic on the freeway stopped. There was an accident. The police blocked several lanes.”>
I was looking for parking. Listen A “I was looking for a place to park my car.” <“I was looking for parking. Eventually, I parked my car one block away.”>
I couldn't find a parking space. Listen <“It was dark in you street. I couldn’t find a parking space.”>
I couldn't find a place to park. Listen <“All the parking space in front of your house was taken. I couldn’t find a place to park.”>
It took me longer to get here than I thought it would. Listen <“I miscalculated the time. It took me longer to get here than I thought it would.”>
It took me longer to get here than I expected. Listen <“I had forgotten about the construction on the freeway. It took me longer to get here than I expected.”>
I didn't realize this was so far away. Listen <“You live in the new part of the city. I didn’t realize this was so far away.”>
I lost track of time. Listen <“I started driving too late. I lost track of time.”>
I misjudged the time. Listen <“I misjudged the time. It took longer than I expected to get here.”>
15.8 When you want to be polite to others after your late arrival
Were you waiting long? Listen <“I’m really sorry for being late. Were you waiting long?”>
I'm glad you started without me. Listen <“I’m sorry I’m late. I’m glad you started without me.”>
I hope you started without me. Listen <“Sorry to have kept you waiting. I hope you started without me.”>
You should have started without me. Listen <“My airplane was late. You should have started without me.”>
Next time start without me. Listen <“Next time don’t be late.” – “Next time start without me.”>
15.9 When you greet a guest
Look who's here! Listen <“May I come in? Sorry I’m late.” – “Look who’s here! This is my cousin Fred.”>
I'm glad to see you. Listen <“Bob! Is that you? I’m glad to see you.” – “Likewise.”>
Am I surprised to see you! Listen <“Come on in, old friend. Am I surprised to see you!”>
15.10 When you greet a guest more politely
Welcome to our house. Listen A “You are cordially invited to enter our house.” < – “Thank you. It’s nice to be here.”>
I'm delighted to have you visit. Listen A “It’s so nice to have you here for a visit.” <“Thank you for inviting me.” – “I’m delighted to have you visit.”>
I'm delighted to have you here. Listen < – “Thank you for having me.”>
I'm so glad you could visit. Listen < – “It’s always a pleasure to visit you.”>
I'm so glad you could come. Listen < – “I’m delighted to be here.”>
I'm so glad you could make it. Listen <“I’m so sorry to be late. The traffic on the freeway is terrible.” – “I’m so glad you could make it.”>
I'm so glad you could stop by. Listen < “I just happened to be in the neighborhood and thought it would be nice to see you.” – “I’m so glad you could stop by.”>
It's nice to have you here. Listen A “I am glad you are in this place.” < – “It’s nice to be here.”>
It's good to have you here. Listen < – “It’s good to be here.”>
It's a pleasure to see you again. Listen <“It has been such a long time.” – “Yes, it has. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”>
It's nice to see you again. Listen < – “It’s just wonderful to see you after all these years.”>
It's so good to see you again. Listen < – “Likewise! You look so wonderful.”>
It's so good to see you after all this time. Listen < – “Thank you. Indeed, it feels terrific to see an old friend.”>
Good seeing you again. Listen < – “I’m glad to see you, too.”>
I wanted to see you for a long time. Listen < – “And I wanted to see you, too!”>
I've been looking forward to seeing you for a long time. Listen < – “To see each other more often, we have to move at least to the same state.”>
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