A1 · Beginner · Relations with other people
Say thank you and sorry
5 short A1 English scripts to practise how to say thank you and sorry. Read one out loud, record yourself, listen back and try again.
Key phrase Cheers for the …! (American English: Thanks for the …!)
Please and thank you, all day
A flat white, please. And a small cake, please. Oh, and a glass of water. Thank you.
Here you are, says the waiter. Thanks a lot! Then a man drops his scarf. I pick it up. "Here you are," I say. "Thank you!" he says. "You're welcome!"
Wow, I'm very polite today. Maybe it's the coffee.
American English
Can I get a latte, please? And a small cookie, please. Oh, and a glass of water. Thank you.
Here you go, says the waiter. Thanks a lot! Then a man drops his scarf. I pick it up. "Here you go," I say. "Thank you!" he says. "You're welcome!"
Wow, I'm very polite today. Maybe it's the coffee.
Late again, Ceren
Oops! Is that the time? Sorry I'm late, Ceren! The train is very slow today, and then my bag... never mind. It's my fault. I'm always late.
Oh, it's OK? Don't worry? Thank you. But please don't eat my chips!
Now, tell me about your day. And lunch is on me today. It's the least I can do.
American English
Oops! Is that the time? Sorry I'm late, Ceren! The subway is very slow today, and then my bag... never mind. It's my fault. I'm always late.
Oh, it's OK? Don't worry? Thank you. But please don't eat my fries!
Now, tell me about your day. And lunch is on me today. It's the least I can do.
Going up, very loudly
Excuse me, can I get past? Thank you. Oh, after you! No, really, after you.
Pardon? I can't hear you. This lift is very noisy. Which floor? Four? No problem, I'll press it.
Ouch! Someone is standing on my foot. No worries, it's fine! Oh, here is the fourth floor. Bye, everyone!
American English
Excuse me, can I squeeze by? Thank you. Oh, after you! No, really, after you.
Sorry, could you say that again? I can't hear you. This elevator is very noisy. Which floor? Four? No problem, I'll press it.
Ouch! Someone is standing on my foot. No worries, it's fine! Oh, here is the fourth floor. Bye, everyone!
Cake and confessions
Cheers for the cake, Mrs Evans! That's very kind of you. Thanks!
I have a confession. My football hit your flowers. I didn't mean to! Please forgive me. I'll buy you new ones tomorrow. It's my pleasure, really.
Thanks again. You're the best neighbour in London.
American English
I appreciate it, Mrs. Evans! That's very kind of you. Thanks!
I have a confession. My soccer ball hit your flowers. I didn't mean to! Please forgive me. I'll buy you new ones tomorrow. It's my pleasure, really.
Thanks again. You're the best neighbor in Chicago.
Whose sandwich is this?
Achoo! "Bless you," says Marta. Thanks, I say, and I eat my sandwich. It's very good. It's very, very good. Wait. This isn't my sandwich!
I took your lunch by mistake, Marta. My bad! Sorry about that. She laughs. "Don't worry." Thanks, I appreciate it. Can I buy you a coffee?
"No, thanks anyway. I've got my salad." A salad that is mine, I hope.
American English
Achoo! "Bless you," says Marta. Thanks, I say, and I eat my sandwich. It's really good. It's really, really good. Wait. This isn't my sandwich!
I took your lunch by mistake, Marta. My bad! Sorry about that. She laughs. "It's totally fine." Thank you, I appreciate it. Can I get you a coffee?
"No, thanks anyway. I've got my salad." A salad that is mine, I hope.
Key words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| please adverb | a polite word when you ask for something |
| Thank you phrase | the polite words when someone helps you |
| Thanks a lot phrase | a stronger way to say thanks |
| You're welcome phrase | what you say after someone thanks you |