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[B-A] Spoken Grammar

LET'S READ! 📖

Direction: Read the passage below then answer the questions being asked.

Spoken Grammar


Icon_Take

Boss

Well, what is it?

Icon_Keiko

Secretary

A man, sir. Outside. He wants to see you.

Icon_Take

Boss

I entertain clients only during office hours. Besides, we have to discuss something, right? The particular office hours are posted on the noticeboard. Tell him that.

Icon_Keiko

Secretary

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. But it isn't a client, sir.

Icon_Take

Boss

An applicant?

Icon_Keiko

Secretary

Don't think so. His attire, sandals and a pair of jeans. Acting rudely as well.

Icon_Take

Boss

Not a client and not an applicant. Then what is he?

Icon_Keiko

Secretary

He told me he just wants to talk with you. Also mentioned about a refund.

Icon_Take

Boss

Ridiculous! For what?

Icon_Keiko

Secretary

For the item that he purchased from one of our stores. Said he didn't get his money's worth. Didn't benefit from our product and wants his money back. In full!

Icon_Take

Boss

And he came here for that? To see me? What an absurd idea! He's not really serious, is he?

Icon_Keiko

Secretary

Well, should I show him in, sir? Looks like he's captious.

Icon_Take

Boss

No need. Just have the Marketing Department settle it. We've got lots of things to discuss. See here, we've never had a request or complaint like his' before. Tell the marketing team to handle this smoothly. It's not a big thing. Nothing to worry about.

Icon_Keiko

Secretary

Noted, sir. What's the possible resort, sir?

Icon_Take

Boss

Take back the item. Grant his request.

Lead your way to the conference room after instructing the marketing team what to do. I'll wait.

Icon_Keiko

Secretary

Okay, sir. In a couple of minutes.

QUESTION

1. What was the man's concern?

2. What was the possible resort on this issue?

LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚

Informal and Spoken English

  • The grammar of informal spoken English is different from the grammar of written English in some ways.
  • Sentences are usually less complicated, with fewer and simpler conjunctions.

    Example:


    Formal Writing: While the hotel was of quite a high standard, the accommodation was disappointing.


    Informal Speech: The hotel was quite good, but the food was disappointing.

  • Information is often separated out more and given piece by piece - not always in the order SUBJECT-VERB-OBJECT .

    Example:

  • The woman across the road, her sister well, I was talking to him, and he said...

  • Last Thursday it was, I was just going to work,....

  • That lecture, I thought I was going to go to sleep.

  • They work very hard, most of the students.

  • In speech, we can emphasize one part of a sentence by saying it louder and on a higher pitch.

    Example:

  • SAM sent a bouquet of flowers to his mom. (not Sam's sister)

  • Sam sent A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS to his mom. (not a cake)

  • Sam sent a bouquet of flowers to HIS MOM. (not to his dad)

  • In writing, special structures have to be used to show emphasis.

    Example:

  • It was Sam who sent a bouquet of flowers to his mom.

Dropping sentence-beginnings

  • In informal speech, we often drop unstressed the beginnings of sentences. This happens mainly with articles, possessives, personal pronouns, auxiliary verbs, and be, demonstratives, and introductory there is.

    Example:

  • Car's running badly. (The car's...)

  • Shoelace is undone. (My shoelace...)

  • Be four pounds fifty. (That'll be...)

  • No reason to panic. (There's no reason....)

  • Is she ready? (Is she ready?)

  • We only drop pronouns before stressed words.

    Example:

  • Like your tie. (I like your tie)

  • Haven't seen him. (I haven't seen him)

  • Can't swim. (I can't swim)

Dropping words after auxiliaries

  • In informal speech, we often use just an auxiliary verb instead of repeating a longer expression.

    Example:

  • Get up! "I am." ('"I am getting up.")

  • He said he'd write to me, but he hasn't. ("....he hasn't written to me.)

  • Talk louder.' 'I would if I could, but I can't'.

  • If there is no auxiliary to repeat, we use 'do'.

    Example:

  • She said she would phone, and she did.

LET'S PRACTICE! 📝

Part I

Direction Rewrite the following sentences in droppeed words.

  1. My boss is on holiday.

  2. I couldn't get a single point.

  3. Have you seen Jack?

  4. Be careful what you wish for.

Part II

Direction Read the prompt carefully and understand the scenario presented.

  • Imagine you are chatting with a colleague during a lunch break. Apply the concept of dropping words after auxiliaries and sentence-beginnings to make your speech more conversational. Your mentor will act as your colleague.