Conversation Gambits - Eric Keller, Sylvia T Warner 1988

32. Putting the Record Straight
2. Linking Gambits

Sometimes people have misunderstood us so badly that we have to put the record straight’ and explain.

Speaking

Student 2 has done something — for a good reason, but this is not what Student I has heard.

Work in pairs. Student I starts and Student 2 should try to explain the truth using the information and a phrase from the list. Each student must only look at their own part.

Student 1 starts:

1. What’s this I heard about you jogging because you were getting fat?

2. Someone said to me that you've gone on a diet so that you won't have to buy new clothes.

3. I heard you’re learning Spanish so that you can visit your girlfriend in Madrid.

4. What’s this I heard about you cycling to work because you can’t afford the petrol for your car?

5. Someone told me you're thinking of giving up English lessons because you think you'll never learn.

Student 2 — The Truth

1. You decided to start jogging in order to keep fit.

2. You have gone on a diet because your doctor told you to. You have a serious health problem and you have no choice about dieting.

3. You are learning Italian in order to go on holiday there in the summer. You do not have a Spanish girlfriend.

4. You have recently started cycling to work in an attempt to keep fit.

5. You think you may have to stop coming to English lessons because you are too busy to spare the time.

That’s not what I said at all.

I’ve no idea who told you that.

Goodness, where did you get that idea from?

¹I'm afraid that just isn’t true.

The fact of the matter is ...

²look, let’s get this straight, ...

1. Much stronger without I'm afraid

2. Shows not only that you’ve been misunderstood, but you are annoyed about it.