Practical Everyday English - Chapter one in use - Telephone conversation between two friends

JANE: Hi Anne, it’s Jane.

ANNE: Hello, it’s been ages since I last heard from you. How are you?

JANE: Not too well, actually. I’ve had the flu for about a month. I take after my mum; she’s always ill.

ANNE: Hadn’t you better call the doctor?

JANE: I’m rather reluctant to do that, and anyway there’s no point. He can’t help me.

ANNE: Yes, but you may as well see him. You could go on your day off.

JANE: I suppose so. I don’t think I could cope with another month like the last one. I think you

are much better at handling illness than I am... Anyway, what’s been going on in your life?

ANNE: I’ve just found a new flat. Actually, it’s in a very posh street.

JANE: Show off! I bet it’s lovely.

ANNE: Well, you know how choosy I am and I’m much better off than I was a few years ago so I can afford to live in such an area. You’ll have to come round when I’ve got the place done up.

JANE: I’d love to. Incidentally, did your cat turn up? I asked round everyone at work but no-one had seen it.

ANNE: Oh yes. He soon came back. He missed being made a fuss of and was fed up having to

survive on stale food.

JANE: What a turn up for the books! I thought he was gone forever...... I’m just going to

turn down the television. Hold on a second!

ANNE: OK.

JANE: Did you know, Manuel’s parents are coming over from Spain next month? I’m quite

looking forward to it. I’d like to ask you over; they’d love to meet you. It will be very handy

having his mum here. She’s a wonderful cook.

ANNE: Great! Unfortunately if it’s next month, I’ll have to turn you down. I’m going off to

France for a few weeks. Peter has a fl at in the South and I thought instead of increasing

my overdraft by going to the Caribbean, I might as well go to France again, even though

I’ve been there quite a bit this year.

JANE: You lucky thing!..... I’ve just remembered; I still haven’t got my own back on you for going

on to my Mum about how I’ve gone off her cooking. You shouldn’t have told her.

ANNE: Oh stop making a fuss! She asked me why you always go on to a Chinese restaurant

directly after eating her dinner. I thought what’s the point in lying? I’m sorry if I came over

as being rather rude.

JANE: Don’t worry. I was going to own up to her anyway. Would you like to come over tomorrow

night, or are you busy?

ANNE: I have a few letters which must go off by Friday but I’d love to see you. What time shall I

turn up?

JANE: Well, if you’ve got nothing better to do, you may as well come over to my place for dinner

at about seven.

ANNE: Lovely. See you tomorrow at seven.

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* To take after: (To be similar to an elder member of the same family – usually in character rather than in appearance)

- My daughter likes to be made a fuss of; she takes after me in that respect.

* Had better is a slightly stronger form of should.

- I’d better go now; I’ve got quite a few things to do.

* May/Might as well: used to suggest doing something, often when there is nothing better to do:

- We may as well start the meeting - the others will be here soon.

* To go on: To continue, go ahead, last

- We really can't go on living like this

* Better off is the comparative form of Well off (rich), i.e. richer.

- He is far better off than I am.