* 17 Particular Conversational Matters (p.4 of 9)
17.22 When you encourage a person to be careful
Be careful! Listen A “Be watchful and prudent.” <“I am going to Antarctica.” – “Good heavens! Be careful!”>
Beware! Listen <“There is a dog in the backyard. Beware!”>
Caution! Listen <“Two lanes are merging ahead. Caution! Our lane is about to end. Slow down.”>
Watch out! Listen <“Watch out! There is a pedestrian on the sidewalk.”>
Watch it! Listen <“Watch it! There is a bicyclist on the road.”>
Look out! Listen <“Look out! This tree is about to fall.”>
Look sharp! Listen <“Look sharp! There are potholes on the road.”>
Be prepared! Listen <“The car in front of us is going to turn to the right. He is slowing down. Be prepared!”>
Safety first. Listen <“Buckle up before you drive. Safety first.”>
Watch your step! Listen <“Watch your step! The road is slippery.”>
Proceed with caution. Listen <“There is a road block ahead. Drive slowly. Proceed with caution.”>
Drive safely. Listen A “Be careful while driving.” <“Good-bye, George.” – “Take care, Bill. It’s dark outdoors. Drive safely.”>
Look both ways before you cross the street. Listen <“There are many cars on the road today. Be very attentive. Look both ways before you cross the street.”>
17.23 When you warn a person about danger
Behind you! Listen A “Look at the danger behind you!” <As the car approached and nearly knocked Jim over, Jack shouted, “Behind you!”>
To your right! Listen A “Look at the danger to your right!” <A skateboarder appeared from nowhere. To warn Cindy of the approaching danger, Bob told her, “To your right!”>
On your left! Listen A “Danger is on your left!” <A bicyclist approached me from behind. He saw that I couldn’t see him, so he alerted me, “On your left!” I took to my right to avoid collision.>
Heads up! Listen A “Raise your head up to see the danger!” <“The foreman saw a moving crane over the construction site and shouted to the workers, “Heads up!”>
17.24 When you instruct a person to handle a situation with care
Play it safe. Listen A “Handle it with great care.” <“This business meeting is very important for us. Play it safe.”>
Play it cool. Listen <“Your opponent may be bluffing. Don’t lose your temper. Play it cool.”>
Look before you leap. Listen A “Make sure that you achieve your goal before you make a move.” <“Think twice before you say something at the business meeting. You’re playing with fire. Look before you leap.”>
Leave nothing to chance. Listen <“You’ve got to win this contract. Prepare a really good presentation. Leave nothing to chance.”>
Stop, look, and listen. Listen <“These trade talks are important for us. You don’t need to open your cards too soon. Stop, look, and Listen.”>
Slow down. Listen <“You want to achieve too much too soon. Slow down.”>
Take your time. Listen A “Don’t be too impatient. Use the time you have wisely.” <“You still have a couple of weeks before you meet with the prospective investors. Put together a very good proposal. Take your time.”>
You’re not out of the woods yet. Listen A “The worst of your trouble is not over yet.” <“The boss is still angry with you for your blunder. Don’t argue with him. You’re not out of the woods yet.”>
You’re skating on thin ice. Listen A “You are at risk.” <“Are you going to submit the same recommendation to the director? He turned it down once, don’t you remember? You are skating on thin ice.”>
Make no mistake about it. Listen A “Do not be mistaken about this dangerous situation.” <“Our business partners won’t like your proposal. Make no mistake about it. We know too well what we can expect from them.”>
17.25 When you instruct a person to take evasive action
Get down! Listen A “Take the lowest position possible!” <“This thing is going to explode! Get down!”>
Duck! Listen A “Bend the head and/or the body to avoid a blow!” <“He’s going to hit you! Duck!”>
Hit the pavement! Listen A “Fall on the floor!” <“There is a shooter on the roof! Hit the pavement.”>
Hit the deck! Listen <“He’s got a gun! Hit the deck!”>
17.26 When you request passage through a crowd
Can I get by? Listen A “Do you mind if I pass by?” (used with can or may or could) <When the elevator stopped, Bob said to the man in front of him, “This is my floor. Can I get by, please?”>
Coming through! Listen A “I am coming through, so let me pass, please.” <The bus stopped and Jim told the passengers who blocked the door, “Coming through! I’ve got to get off”.>
Step aside. Listen A “Move out of the way.” <“Step aside. Let me through, please.”>
Make way! Listen A “I need room for passing, so please get out of the way.” <“Make way! I’m carrying a heavy load.”>
Clear the way! Listen A “I am coming through, so please get out of the way.” <Bob and Tom shouted “Clear the way!” as they were pulling a large box up the stairway.>
Gangway! Listen A “I need clear passage.” <“Gangway!” shouted the captain making his way through the crowd of passengers.>
Out of my way! Listen <“Out of my way!” cried the officer making his way through the crowd of soldiers.>
Get out of the way! Listen <“Get out of the way!” yelled the cop to the pedestrians as he chased the criminal in the street.>
Keep out of my way! Listen <“Keep out of my way!” shouted the furniture mover.>
17.27 When you promise to attend to a person soon
I'll be there in a minute. Listen A “I’m coming to you, please be patient.” <“Come here!” – “I’ll be there in a minute. I need to complete my little job.”>
I'll be there in just a moment. Listen <“Can you come down here?” – “I’ll be there in just a moment.”>
I'll be right there. Listen <“I need your help.” – “I’ll be right there.”>
I'll be with you in a moment. Listen <“Can you take a look at this document?” – “I’ll be with you in a moment.”>
I'll be right with you. Listen <“Can you come here for a minute?” – “I’ll be right with you.”>
Somebody will be with you in a minute. Listen <“Miss! We are ready to order our food.” – “Somebody will be with you in a minute.”>
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