W: So how was your weekend?
M: This was my weekend.
W: Oh, that’s too bad. You said you were going bowling with your wife, didn’t you?
M: Yes, I did. But I had to cancel that. Works come before play, you know.
W: You got that right.
Dialogue 2.
W: I think we should not allow smoking in our office, because it’s too harmful to us.
M: I see your point. Our problem is most of us are smokers and need to smoke when working.
W: I don’t think so. We can help them to quit smoking by forbidding it in the office.
M: I don’t agree. We would get too much complaint if such a rule is set.
W: You are just protecting the smokers because you yourself are one of them. What about those non-smokers like me?
M: I am really not sure about this. Maybe we should discuss it openly with all the people in our office.
Dialogue 3.
W: Ohoh, there is a scratch on it. Did you notice that?
M: Yes, I did. That’s why it is so cheap.
W: But this scratch is pretty bad.
M: That may be true. But a nice table cloth will cover right up.
W: Exactly, then nobody will ever know.
Exercise.
1. I am afraid I blew my top about this.
2. I take issue against you on the question of education.
3. Many of them took exception to this statement.
4. We are all for peace and against war.
5. So we appear to agree on these terms.
6. I am afraid your proposal is not acceptable.
7. Well, basically we seem to be saying the same thing.
8. I see your point.
9. If you ask me I think it’s not wise.
10. The professor and his colleagues beg to differ however.
11. The list of dislikes is also long.
12. Going under the knife is a big nono for beauty contestants around the world.
13. I didn’t allow just paying lip service.
14. FM rebuts the US threat of economic sanctions.
15. M: Will you help me clean the car?
W: Nothing doing. I am too busy.