Conversation Gambits - Eric Keller, Sylvia T Warner 1988

35. Saying 'no' Tactfully
2. Linking Gambits

If someone asks you to do something, you can say 'no' in a direct way or you can suggest doing something else.

In order to practise the phrases used to say no, students should work in pairs.

Each situation has the ideas for a dialogue where В says 'no' to what A is suggesting Read only your own part, and use the phrases from the list.

A

1. Let’s go out for dinner.

(You) love going out to a hamburger bar, ordering everything, then eating it in your car.)

2. Let’s go to a concert.

(You want to go to a Bach concert. It will last 4 hours)

3. Let’s go for a drink.

(Your idea of an evening out is to go down to the pub and spend the evening drinking.)

4. Do you fancy going walking at the weekend?

(You like to set off at 6 on Saturday mornings for a whole day in the hills.)

5. Would you like to come and meet my parents?

(You are very keen that your friend meets your parents. You think (s)he likes you very much.)

В

1. Whenever you eat out, you like to go to one of the most expensive restaurants in town. You would never dream of going near a hamburger 'joint'.

2. You hate classical music and think it is only for snobs. There is a rock concert on at the ice rink tomorrow.

3. You are only 16 and know that if your parents knew you had been out drinking, they would be very angry.

4. Your idea of a nice weekend is to do absolutely nothing. You would be prepared to go for a walk round town to look at shops.

5. You know that A would like your friendship to become more serious, but you have your eye on someone else. In fact, you are hoping to go out with this other person tomorrow.

Saying no

I’m not keen on ...

I don’t particularly like ...

I can’t 1stand ...

It’s not my idea of ...

I’d really rather not ...

A preference

I'd 2prefer ...

I’d really much rather ...

I’d rather ...

1. Followed by a noun (people who.) (waiting)

2. Followed by a noun (tea), or to + verb (to wart).