* 4 Starting and Ending a Conversation (p.2 of 2)
4.7 ��When you make a person interested in a topic
You won�t believe this.�� Listen�� A �I have incredible news.��� <�You won�t believe this! Airlines are cancelling flights as we speak. Something extraordinary has happened.�>
You won�t believe what Jane has just told me.�� Listen�� <�You won�t believe what Jane has just told me. Our company was sold to an overseas corporation.�>
Have you heard?�� Listen�� A �Have you heard the latest news?��� < � �What?� � �Our flight was cancelled.� � �And what are we going to do now?�>
Have you heard the latest?�� Listen�� < � �No. What�s going on?� � �They are moving our department to another building.�>
Did you hear what happened?�� Listen�� < � �No. Tell me.� � �There is a major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.�>
Did you hear the news?�� Listen�� < � �No. What happened?� � �The stock market dropped three hundred points in one hour.�>
You�ll never guess what I heard.�� Listen�� < � �What is it?� � �The CEO of our company had an affair with his secretary.�>
Guess what I�ve just found out.�� Listen�� < � �What?� � �They are going to build a high-speed rail system across California. Our company can be a part of this project.�>
Get this.�� Listen�� A �Listen to this news.��� < � �What?� � �I�m going to continue my education in Europe.�>
Are you ready for this?�� Listen�� A �Are you ready to listen to my incredible news?��� <�I have to tell you something. Are you ready for this?� � �I can hardly wait.� � �You have been voted the employee of the month.�>
You know what?�� Listen�� A �Have you heard what happened?��� < � �No. What?� � �I think our daughter is pregnant.�>
Do you want to know something?�� Listen�� < � �What?� � �Somebody bent the rear bumper of your car.�>
4.8 ��When you direct somebody�s attention to an object
Look here.�� Listen�� <�Look here. The local newspaper published a new article about our school.�>
Look at this.�� Listen�� <�Look at this. Isn�t this view majestic?�>
Take a look at this.�� Listen�� <�Take a look at this. I�ve never seen such an animal.�>
Look what we have here.�� Listen�� <�Look what we have here. It�s a fox with cubs.�>
4.9�� When you respond to an invitation to talk
What is it?�� Listen�� A �What do you want to talk about?��� <�I need to talk with you.� � �OK. What is it?� � �Your dog pooped on my lawn again.�>
What�s up?�� Listen�� A �What is going on?��� <�Do you have a minute?� � �Sure. What�s up?�>
What�s the problem?�� Listen�� A �What problem do you want to talk about?��� <�Bob, we need to talk. It�s urgent.� � �What�s the problem?�>
4.10 ��When you confirm that you are paying attention
I�m listening.�� Listen�� A �I am listening to you. You have my attention.��� <�I�d like to tell you something.� � �I�m listening.�>
I hear you.�� Listen�� <�What I told you is very important. Do you understand?� � �I hear you.�>
I heard you.�� Listen�� <�This threat is imminent. We have to take action immediately.� � �I heard you.�>
I am all ears.�� Listen�� <�Have you heard the latest? It�s awesome!� � �Keep talking. I�m all ears.�>
4.11�� When you reprimand your listener for not paying attention
You�re not listening.�� Listen�� <�How can I explain it to you? You are not listening.�>
You�re distracted.�� Listen�� <�I�ve repeated it twice. You still don�t understand. You�re distracted.�>
You�re a million miles away.�� Listen�� A �You are far away. You are not paying attention.��� <�I�m talking to you, and you�re a million miles away.�>
You seem to be absent-minded.�� Listen�� <�How can I make you listen? You seem to be absent-minded.�>
I�m not finished with you.�� Listen�� A �You are not listening already while I still have more to say.��� <When the father stopped yelling, Bob thought the scolding was over. But the father said, �Young man, I�m not finished with you.�>
4.12 ��When you signal the end of a conversation
Well, it�s really good to see you, but I have to go.�� Listen�� < � �It was nice talking to you.�>
I�m sorry, but I have to go now.�� Listen�� < � �Well, see you next time.�>
It was so good to see you again.�� Listen�� < � �I was glad to see you, too.�>
Well, it�s getting late.�� Listen�� < � �I have to go, too. >
4.13�� When you end a conversation abruptly
Oh, look at the time! I must go.�� Listen�� < � �I�m glad you stopped by.�>
I have to run.�� Listen�� < � �I hope to see you again sometime.�>
I have to say good-bye now.�� Listen�� < � �OK. Come again when you can stay longer.�>
Sorry, but I have to leave now.�� Listen�� < � �Drop by sometime.�>
I�m late. I�ll call you.�� Listen�� < � �OK, I�ll be waiting for your call. Don�t forget our conversation.�>
I�m gone.�� Listen�� A �I am leaving right now.��� <�OK, you guys. Thanks for the evening. I�m gone.� � �See you around.�>
I�m off.�� Listen�� <�Well, it�s getting late. I�m off.� � �I�m off too. Good-bye.�>
I�m out of here.�� Listen�� <�It�s time to go. I�m out of here.� � �Thanks for coming. Bye.�>
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