Fixing a misunderstanding: talk and role-play
To fix a misunderstanding, listen first and talk second. Start with a calm sentence such as Can we talk? Then say what happened and how you felt (I felt ignored because …), and finally say how you want to solve it. Chatty phrases make a talk sound natural. That’s cool! shows that you are pleased or interested. I totally get that means I understand fully. For sure means yes, certainly. Honestly, … introduces what you really think. Right? asks the other person to agree with you, and Absolutely means I agree completely. In speaking, the third conditional shows regret and apology: If I had remembered, I would have called you. Use it kindly: talk about what you could have done, not about what the other person did wrong. Your book has a talk about a misunderstanding on page 36: read it and find three chatty phrases. Then practise the role-play on page 37 with your own situation.
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| That’s cool! | I like it / I am pleased | You won? That’s cool! |
| I totally get that. | I fully understand | I totally get that. You were busy. |
| For sure. | Yes, certainly | Can you come? For sure. |
| Honestly, … | I will tell you the truth | Honestly, I forgot. |
| Right? | Do you agree? | It’s better to talk. Right? |
| Absolutely. | I agree completely | We should be kind. Absolutely. |
Fady, can we talk? I waited for your call yesterday.
Oh no. Honestly, I forgot. My brother needed help with his homework, and the time passed.
I totally get that, but I felt ignored. I thought you did not care about our presentation.
I do care! If I had remembered, I would have called you straight away. I am really sorry.
Thanks for saying that. If I had texted you, we would not have lost a day.
Right? Next time we both check in. Absolutely.
For sure. Let’s meet at break and plan the slides.
That’s cool. Thank you for talking to me first.
Role-play. Partner A: you waited for a friend who did not come. Partner B: you forgot. A starts with Can we talk? and says how they felt. B explains and apologises with If I had … , would have … . Use at least three chatty phrases from the table, then agree on a plan. Swap the parts and use a new situation.