Page 239 - Basic English Usage
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Visits and invitations
There are no fixed expressions which have to be used when you visit
people.
Invitations often begin:
Would you like to... ?
Possible replies:
Thank you very much. That would be very nice.
Sorry. I'm afraid |'m not free.
It is normal to thank people for hospitality at the moment of leaving their
houses.
Thank you very much. That was a wonderful evening.
Sleep
When somebody goes to bed, people often say Sleep well.
in the morning, we may ask Did you sleep well?
Did you have a good night? or How did you sleep?
10 Giving things
We do not have an expression which is always used when we give
things. We sometimes say Here you are, especially when we want to
make it clear that we are giving something.
‘Have you got a map of London?’ ‘I think so. Yes, here you are.’
‘Thanks.
11 Asking for things
We normally ask for things by using yes/no questions.
Could you lend me a pen? (NOT Pleasetend-meapen-)
For details, see 286.
12 Thanks
Common ways of thanking people are:
Thank you very much. — Thank you.
Thanks. (informal) Thanks a /ot. (informal)
If we want to reply to thanks, we can say:
Not atall. You're welcome.
That's (quite) all right. — That's OK. (informal)
For more information about pfease and thank you, see 249.
For requests (asking for things), see 286.
For the use of excuse me, pardon and sorry, see 121.
For the use of names and titles. see 211.
For expressions used when telephoning, see 341.
For rules for letter-writing, see 192.