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7                                              Everyday Conversational Expressions                                           Negative Attitude p.4

 

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* 7 Negative Attitude in a Conversation (p.4 of 4)

 

7.15   When you demonstrate indifference in a sarcastic manner

 

What makes you think I care?   Listen   <“The stock market lost a hundred points today.” – “What makes you think I care? I don’t play with stocks.”>

Do you really think I care?   Listen   <“I’ve had enough. I’m leaving.” – “Do you really think I care?”>

Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.   Listen   <“Don’t tell her that. She might get angry with you.” – “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn. Her opinion about me is the least of my concerns.”>

Good for you!   Listen   <“I got punished for what I hadn’t done!” – “Good for you! Now you know that there’re punishments of all sorts.”>

I’m happy for you.   Listen   <“It’s unfair!” – “I’m happy for you. Now you know that the world is unfair.”>

Listen to Entire Passage

 

 

7.16   When you express sympathy in a sarcastic manner

 

Oh, you poor thing.   Listen   <“I took the last piece of cake. Did you want it? Oh, you poor thing!”>

Oh, poor baby.   Listen   <“Oh, poor baby. You’ve been driving all night. Well, go to bed now and have a good sleep.”>

Listen to Entire Passage

 

 

7.17   When a point or action is unimportant

 

It’s not important.   Listen   <“What are we going to do about your birthday?” – “I don’t care. It’s not important.”>

It doesn’t matter.   Listen   A “It is so unimportant that nobody cares.”   <“What do you want me to give you as a birthday present?” – “It doesn’t matter. We have other concerns.”>

It isn’t worth it.   Listen   A “It is so unimportant that it does not deserve the concern involved.”   <“I tried to find facts to support this theory.” – “Don’t bother. It isn’t worth it. This theory is just erroneous.”>

It isn’t worthwhile.   Listen   A “It does not deserve the time it requires.”   <“Do you think I need to impress this customer by taking him out to a fancy restaurant?” – “No, I don’t. It isn’t worthwhile. You’re a young salesman. Even if you lose this customer, there will always be another one.”>

It isn’t worth my while.   Listen   <“I decided to cancel my business trip. It isn’t worth my while.”>

It isn’t worth mentioning.   Listen   A “It is so unimportant that it does not deserve attention.”   <”Yes, I had an accident. It’s no big deal, though. It isn’t worth mentioning.”>

It’s not worth the trouble.   Listen   A “It is so unimportant that it does not deserve the effort involved.”   <“Do you want me to clean this rug?” – “Don’t bother about it. It isn’t worth the trouble. I’m going to throw it away.”>

It’s no big deal.   Listen   A “It’s not really an important thing.”   <“You’ve got a bruise? It’s no big deal. I’ve got a scar.”>

You’re just wasting my time.   Listen   A “It’s a loss of time. I’ve got more important things to do.”   <“Listen, I’m not interested in your story. You are just wasting my time.”>

Don’t waste my time.   Listen   A “Don’t take up my valuable time with whatever you want to do or tell me.”   <“I would like to demonstrate our new product line to you.” – “Don’t waste my time. I’m not interested.”>

Don’t waste your time.   Listen   A “Even if you spend your time on me, you won’t get a positive response.”   <“I still want to convince you to reconsider your decision.” – “Don’t waste your time. My decision is final.”>

What does that prove?   Listen   A “What important conclusion can be drawn out of that? That does not mean much.”   <“Professor, there are few examples that contradict the theory.” – “What does that prove? Those examples are exceptions that confirm the rule.”>

What about it?   Listen   A “Why does it matter?”   <“I heard you had had an accident.” – “Yes? What about it?”>

Listen to Entire Passage

 

 

7.18   When you demean a speaker’s point by humiliating a speaker

 

Who are you?   Listen   A “Are you so important that what you say has value?”   <“All you’re saying is simply wrong.” – “Who are you? Who are you to talk to me like that?”>

Says who?   Listen   A “Why do you think you are so important that I need to agree with you?”   <“Your music is garbage. Nobody is going to listen to it.” – “Says who? I’ll thank you to keep your opinions to yourself.”>

Says you!   Listen   A “It’s just you who says that, and nobody else, so that’s not really important.”   <“This book is just pulp fiction.” – “Says you! My sister has a different opinion.”>

Listen to Entire Passage

 

 

7.19   When what you do has higher priority

 

I'm busy.   Listen   A “Don’t disturb me. I can’t take care of your problems now.”   <“I can’t deal with your petty complaints now. I’m busy!”>

I've got work to do.   Listen   <“Can we talk about it some other time? I’ve got work to do.”>

I’ve got better things to do.   Listen   A “There are more important things that I have to spend my time on.”   (used with have got or have)   <“You didn’t attend the meeting yesterday.” – “They often waste time on petty issues. I’ve got better things to do.”>

I have bigger fish to fry.   Listen   A “I’ve got more important things to do.”   <“I don’t have time to attend to your needs now. I have bigger fish to fry.”>

Listen to Entire Passage

 

 

7.20   When you reject something

 

No, thank you.   Listen   ANo, I don’t need it.”   <“Would you like something to drink?” – “No, thank you. I’m fine.”>

Not right now.   Listen   ANo, I don’t need it now, but I expect you will ask me again later.”   <“Would you care for another piece of pie?” – “Not right now, thank you.”>

Perhaps a little later.   Listen   ANo, I don’t need it now, but there is a chance I might need it later.”   <“Would you like a cup of tea now?” – “Perhaps a little later, thank you.”>

Thanks, but no thanks.   Listen   AI appreciate your offer, but I don’t need it.”   <“Do you think you might need my old bicycle?” – “Thanks, but no thanks. I’d rather have a new one.”>

Listen to Entire Passage

 

 

7.21   When you express displeasure with a thing

 

That’s not what I had in mind.   Listen   <“Thank you for your demonstration. That’s not what I had in mind.”>

That doesn’t fit the bill.   Listen   AThat does not comply with my requirements.”   <“Do you have butter?” – “No, I don’t. Here is some cooking oil, though.” – “That doesn’t fit the bill. I need dairy butter for sandwiches.”>

That doesn’t fill the bill.   Listen   <“Do you like this blue blouse?” – “M-m… That doesn’t fill the bill. I need a blouse to match my red skirt.”>

That doesn’t quite suit me.   Listen   <“I need a rope” – “Here is a string.” – “That doesn’t quite suit me. I need a thick, strong rope.”>

That’s not what it’s cracked up to be.   Listen   AThat is not what it is believed to be.”   <I have a company car. But that’s not what it’s cracked up to be. I need a robust four-wheel drive suitable for the country road.”>

I’ve seen better.   Listen   A “There are better things than this one which makes this one unacceptable.”   <“What do you think about this dress?” – “I’ve seen better. Don’t buy this one.”>

I don’t like it.   Listen   <“Do you want this toy?” – “No. I don’t like it.”>

I don’t care for it.   Listen   <“Would you care for a piece of cake?” – “No, I don’t care for it.”>

I can’t stand it.   Listen   A “I don’t tolerate it.”   <“Why are you putting on this old dress? I can’t stand it.”>

I hate it.   Listen   <“They want me to play for a losing team. I hate it. This game is lost already.>

I need it like a hole in the head.   Listen   A “I don’t need it at all.”   <“Do I need a dog? I need it like a hole in the head. The last dog I had ate a hole in my favorite hat.”>

It’s second-rate.   Listen   A “This thing is of inferior quality.”   <“Do you read this magazine?” – “No. It’s second-rate.”>

It’s not my style.   Listen   A “It’s not the style I like.”   <“Do you like this wig?” – “No. It’s not my style.”>

It’s not for me.   Listen   <“Do you like this gaudy style?” – “No, it’s not for me. I prefer convenience and simplicity.”>

It’s ugly.   Listen   <“Mom, I can’t wear the bathing suit you bought for me. It’s ugly.”>

It’s awful.   Listen   <“Are you going to wear this dress?” – “No. It’s awful.”>

It’s terrible.   Listen   <“Mother, I’m calling you from my car. I got stuck in traffic on a major freeway.” – “It’s terrible. We all are waiting for you for dinner.”>

It’s hideous.   Listen   <“What do you think of this new video clip?” – “It’s hideous. The music is chaotic and the lyrics don’t make sense.”>

It’s dreadful.   Listen   <“A major storm is approaching the California coast.” – “It’s dreadful. We can’t go to the beach anymore.”>

To hell with that!   Listen   A “I reject it completely.”   <“The company needs me to work longer hours for the same lousy pay. To hell with that! I won’t do that.”>

Good-bye and good riddance.   Listen   A “I am pleased this thing is gone.”   <“I’m so glad you finally threw away your old bicycle. Good-bye and good riddance.”>

Listen to Entire Passage

 

 

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