Главная страница | Контакты | Случайная страница Автомобили Астрономия Биология География Дом и сад Другие языки Другое Информатика История Культура Литература Логика Математика Медицина Металлургия Механика Образование Охрана труда Педагогика Политика Право Психология Религия Риторика Социология Спорт Строительство Технология Туризм Физика Философия Финансы Химия Черчение Экология Экономика Электроника

Vocabulary

011 (zero one one)

"Zero one one" is the prefix for international calls made from the U.S.

behind (prep.)

call (inf. to call/noun)

There are various ways to express the notion of making a telephone call in English: "to telephone (or "phone") someone"; "to call someone"; "to give someone a call"; "to make a call"; "to give someone a buzz (ring, jingle)." Examples include the following: "When can I call you?"; "When can I give you a call?"; "When can I phone you?" (These are three different ways to say the same thing.)

calling (pres. part., to call)

charge (inf., to charge)

codes (noun, pl.)

correct (adj.)

country (noun as adj.)

dial (inf., to dial)

directly (adv.)

evening (noun)

extremely (adv.)

from (prep.)

go to bed (inf., to go to bed)

goes through, it (to go through)

hang up (imper., to hang up)

have (imper., to have)

When you are expressing a "wish" to someone, you will often use the expression "Have a..." as in "Have a nice day (evening, afternoon, morning)!" "Have a nice trip!" and "Have a good time!" (also "Enjoy yourself!").

home (noun)

instructions (noun, pl.)

like, you'd (to like, cond.)

The expression "you'd like" accepts either an infinitive (as in "You'd like to go." "You'd like to know.") or a present participle (as in "You'd like going." "You'd like knowing.")

look at, you (to look at)

You can also use "examine" in this case. "To look at" usually refers to a static image ("He looks at the magazine."), while "to watch" would refer to seeing an image in motion ("He watches TV." "She watches a game.").

make (inf., to make)

nice (adj.)

"Nice" can modify things ("a nice car"), abstract concepts ("a nice idea") or people ("Martha is a nice person.").

number (noun)

"Number" is often abbreviated in English as "no." or "#."

operator (noun)

In the context of this chapter, "operator" refers to one who works at a hotel's "switchboard."

pay (inf., to pay)

One may "pay for" something with "cash," a "credit card," or a "personal check" (you'll often hear store clerks ask "Cash or charge?"). "To pay off" an account or credit card means to bring an "outstanding balance" down to zero. "To pay someone off" implies an illegal act of "bribery" (as in, "Someone paid off the officer.").

seconds (noun)

"Seconds" refers to a measurement of time in the dialogue. In relation to food, "going for seconds" or "having seconds" refers to having a second serving of a particular dish.

several (adj.)

should (modal aux.)

switchboard (noun)

take a bath (inf., to take a bath)

In relation to "personal hygiene," one may "take a bath" (or "bathe" in a "bath tub"), "take a shower" (or "shower" in a "shower"), "wash up," or even "clean up."

telephone (noun)

Often referred to as the "phone" or the "horn" (slang).

then (adv.)

tired (adj.)

understand, I (to understand)

Notice the negative form of the verb in the dialogue ("I don't understand."). Negatives will be dealt with in the Grammar of this chapter.

unsure (adj.)

until (prep.)

use (inf., to use)

wait, you (to wait)

you'd (contr., "you would")

Story

You're extremely tired. You'd like to take a bath and go to bed. But first, you decide you should call home. You're unsure how to use your hotel telephone, so you look at the instructions before calling the hotel operator.