One of the first things students are taught when they are learning writing skills is not to answer questions with further questions. In conversations, however, it does happen.
Output
For Here Or To Go?
A few of my students have part-time jobs in cafés and restaurants. This post is for them and anyone else who needs to use English in restaurants.
‘May’ or ‘can’?
Generally, when you are taking orders for people, use ‘may’; it’s more formal and customers should be respected. ‘Can’ is more informal and it’s not really a problem if you use ‘can’ instead of ‘may’ but ‘may’ is more appropriate.
How to ask about takeaway service
One of my students has asked:
Which is better, “For here or to go?” or “Is this to eat in or take away?”
The answer is both are fine. The first one is more informal, the second slightly more formal.
Payment
Here in Japan, at a lot of restaurants, it is common to take the bill/check to the cashier. At other places it is common to pay at the table.
Other little things
Japanese people can be very particular about how food ought to be served. The photograph at the top is from my class blackboard.
When the sand (in the timer) has all reached the bottom, (your tea) is ready to drink.
Not all of your food will be ready at the same time. We will bring each dish as soon as it is ready.
You might find these posts particularly useful.
The Pronoun Problem
When you talk to or about someone you can use their name first and then afterwards use a pronoun. The problem with this is that it you can, without bad intentions, insult people or sound ignorant.
Can You Put Ideas In A Sequence?
When you have to say something that needs to be in order you need to sequence your ideas. This can be done with the past, present and future.
There are two main ways to do it: numbering your steps or without numbers.
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Stun People By Exaggerating
When you speak sometimes you need to say exactly what you mean but at other times you need to make an impact. When you need to be dramatic, exaggerate.
Say Something
When you are talking and can’t find the words you need, you need something. I’m going to tell you how ‘something’ can help you when you can’t remember vocabulary.
You Need To Talk, You Know!
In today’s post we’re going to look at the filler ‘you know’.
You can use it at the start or the end of a sentence.
‘What?!’ Is Wrong
When you talk to someone and cannot understand what they say, you need to ask questions. There are right ways and wrong ways. ‘What?!’ is wrong. So are ‘Huh?’, ‘Eh?’, ‘Come again?’ and ‘One more time.’
Easy Offers
When you’re talking to someone, there are times when you want to offer something, even if it’s just a little bit of help. In this post I’ll give you three different ways to make offers and examples that include ways to accept or decline them.
An Idea About Vocabulary Notes
Here is an idea about taking vocabulary notes. I am taking notes like this to study Japanese and I think it might be useful to some of you who read this blog.