TIP OF THE WEEK for the week starting 11 July 2011

O’CONNOR ebook
How do I say that in English?
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O’CONNOR ebook
How do I say that in English?
Dear English Learner,
First of all thank you for downloading this O’CONNOR ebook from our website. I assume that if you are
reading this, then you are looking for ways to improve your English-language communication at work.
You are not alone. The ability to work, fluently, confidently and above all successfully in English is
becoming an essential capability for hundreds of thousands of people throughout the workforce in
Germany.
We are pleased to be able to help you with our free Business English Support Service, of which our
O’CONNOR ebooks are just one part. From our website www.oconnortraining.de , we give you the
opportunity
- to test your English level
- to improve your Business English communication with O’CONNOR extra and
the O’CONNOR video trainer and
- to polish your English language with our Tip of the Week tips and exercises.
If improving your Business or Technical English is a priority, why not consider training? You are welcome
to contact us to discuss your learning goals and training preferences. We are happy to advise you on the
benefits of different training combinations – face-to-face training, eLearning, telephone training or virtual
classroom training - and to agree a programme to best suit your needs.
We’re looking forward to hearing from you.
Andrew Leal
Managing Director
O'CONNOR Language and Communication for Business
Jörg-Syrlin-Straße 141
89081 Ulm
Tel: 0731 360 0621
Fax: 0731 360 80 140
www.oconnortraining.de
email: [email protected]
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“Dabei”
The German word “dabei” is one of those tricky words to translate into English, especially because there
are so many ways to express it. Here are a few examples of different ways to express “dabei” in English.
•
Ich bin dabei! (Ich mache mit.)
“Count me in!” or “I’m in!”
•
Ich bin dabei, einen Bericht darüber zu schreiben.
“I’m in the process of writing a report on that,” or “I’m in the middle of writing a report on that.”
•
Hast du einen Schlüssel dabei?
“Do you have a key with you?”
•
Stefan hat sich dabei verletzt.
“Stefan hurt himself in the process,” or “Stefan hurt himself in doing so,” or “Stefan hurt himself
while he was …. (climbing, playing tennis, etc.).”
•
Du warst auch dabei.
“You were there, too.”
•
Ich war gerade dabei, Ihre Telefonnummer zu suchen.
“I was just looking up your phone number.”
3
Exercise: “Dabei”
Read the following sentences and translate them into English. You can check your answers in the answer
key on pp. 23-24 .
1. Ich war gerade dabei, Ihnen eine Mail zu schreiben.
2. Jenny war auch dabei.
3. Haben Sie eine Visitenkarte dabei?
4. Ich bin dabei, meinen Rechner neu zu starten.
5. Ich bin dabei!
4
“Ich habe es mir anders überlegt.”
Imagine you are speaking on the phone with a colleague from a plant near London, where you will be
visiting next week. Originally, you had been planning on staying just Thursday and Friday in England, but
now you have decided to spend the weekend there as well, doing some sightseeing. When you ask your
colleague if there is anything interesting going on in London over the weekend that you could participate
in, she is confused.
She says, “But I thought you were only going to be here on Thursday and Friday.”
You want to reply, “Ja, aber ich habe es mir anders überlegt.”
Do you know how to say this in English?
1. Yes, but I thought about it differently.
2. Yes, but I thought other.
3. Yes, but I’ve changed my mind.
If you chose option 3, “Yes, but I’ve changed my mind,” you are correct! The other two sentences above
are not correct English, and don’t even make sense. You could also say, “Yes, but I’ve reconsidered.”
Here are a few more examples:
-
If you change your mind about joining us for dinner this evening, just give me a call!
Alex was planning to chair the meeting, but he reconsidered and asked Trisha to chair instead.
A: “I thought Daimler was going to give us this contract!”
B: “So did I, but apparently they’ve changed their minds.”
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Exercise: “Ich habe es mir anders überlegt.”
Read the following situations and choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence. You can check
your answers in the answer key on pp. 23-24 .
1. A: You're joining us for dinner this evening, right?
B: No, actually, I've ________________.
a. thought differently
b. changed my mind
c. had another opinion
2. Alice was planning on taking Friday off, but she _____________ and will be at work now on Friday after
all.
a. changed her opinion
b. changed her thoughts
c. changed her mind
3. We need a new volunteer to collect money for Travis's birthday present. Gabriel was going to
do it, but he ____________________.
a. changed his mind
b. thought it other
c. re-changed his mind
4. A: You'll be at the meeting this afternoon, right?
B: I was planning on it, but now I've ____________________. I absolutely must finish this report today!
a. made my mind other
b. changed my mind
c. thought differently
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“Gerne”
The German word “gerne” is another one of those tricky words to translate into English. Here are a few
different ways to express “gerne” when you are speaking or writing in English.
•
Von mir aus, gerne.
“That’s fine by me!“ or “As far as I’m concerned, that’s fine.”
•
Sie können mich gerne anrufen, wenn Sie unsicher sind.
“Feel free to call me if you’re not sure.”
•
A: Würdest du das organisieren?
B: Klar, mache ich gerne.
“Sure, I’d be happy to (do that).”
•
Gern geschehen.
“You’re welcome,” or “Don’t mention it.”
•
Wir möchten gerne Ihren Eindruck vom Kurs erfahren.
“We would like to hear about your impression of the course.”
•
Ich gebe Ihnen gerne Bescheid.
“I will be happy to let you know,” or “I will gladly let you know.”
•
Ich reise gerne.
“I like to travel.”
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Exercise: “Gerne”
Read the following German sentences and translate them into English. You can check your answers in the
answer key on pp. 23-24 .
1. Ich gebe Ihnen gerne Bescheid.
2. Sie können mich gerne anrufen.
3. Von mir aus, gerne.
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4. Ich koche gerne.
5. Wir möchten gerne eine Fahrkarte kaufen.
6. Gern geschehen.
7. Klar, mache ich gerne.
“Machen lassen”
Which of the following sentences is NOT a correct way to translate “Ich lasse mir die Haare schneiden”?
a. I’m going to have my hair cut.
b. I’m going to let my hair cut.
c. I’m going to get my hair cut.
If you think sentence b, “I’m going to let my hair cut,” is not correct, you are right! This is another area
where German and English are quite different. To show that someone else will be doing something for
you, you can either say that you will have something done or that you will get something done, so you can
have your hair* cut or get your hair* cut.
Here are a few more example sentences for you:
•
We’re going to have new windows put in this year.
•
I need to get these figures checked before I publish this article. I’m not sure that they are 100%
correct.
•
We’re going to have the annual report printed next week.
•
Don’t forget to get your passport renewed before our big meeting in Japan in June.
•
Could you please call someone about the photocopier? We need to have it fixed by Friday at the
very latest.
*NB: Unlike in German, the word “hair” is singular (without an ‘s’) – you CANNOT have your hairs cut.
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Exercise: “Machen lassen”
Read the following pairs of sentences and choose the correct one in each case. You can check your answers
in the answer key on pp. 23-24 .
1. Choose the correct sentence:
a. I've had my car washed.
b. I've let my car wash.
2. Choose the correct sentence:
a. Are you going to paint your apartment yourself or get it painted?
b. Are you going to paint your apartment yourself or let it paint?
3. Choose the correct sentence:
a. Could you please let these posters print by Friday?
b. Could you please get these posters printed by Friday?
4. Choose the correct sentence:
a. We're going to have some pizzas delivered. Who's hungry?
b. We're going to let some pizzas deliver. Who's hungry?
5. Choose the correct sentence:
a. We need to let these documents translate.
b. We need to have these documents translated.
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“Es macht nichts.”
Imagine you are chatting with a visitor from England and he suddenly says, “Oh dear! I just realized I left
my wallet in the hotel, so I don’t have any money for a taxi!” You want to say, “Das macht nichts. Ich
bringe Sie gerne zum Hotel.” Do you know how to express this in English?
a. It makes nothing. I’ll be happy to drive you to your hotel.
b. It does nothing. I’ll be happy to drive you to your hotel.
c. It doesn’t matter. I’ll be happy to drive you to your hotel.
If you chose option c, “It doesn’t matter,” you are correct!
You could also say, “Never mind.”
“Es macht mir nichts aus”
A similar phrase, “es macht mir nichts aus” can also give German speakers problems when they try to
translate it into English. Do you know how to express the following sentence in English?
Es macht mir nichts aus, wenn ich Sie zum Hotel bringe.
a. I don’t mind driving you to your hotel.
b. I don’t matter driving you to your hotel.
c. It means nothing to me when I drive you to your hotel.
If you chose option a, “I don’t mind driving you to your hotel,” you are correct!
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Exercise: “Es macht nichts.”
Read the following sentences and choose the correct response in each case. You can check your answers in
the answer key on pp. 23-24 .
1. Oh no, I forgot to bring my forms with me today.
a. It doesn't matter.
b. It makes nothing.
c. It does nothing.
2. I wanted to return your book to you today, but I forgot.
a. It makes nothing.
b. It does nothing.
c. It doesn't matter.
3. Is it okay if I open the window?
a. I don't matter.
b. I don't mind.
c. It means nothing to me.
4. Is it okay if I smoke here?
a. It means nothing to me.
b. I don't matter.
c. I don't mind.
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“Nicht unbedingt”
Read the following conversation from a job interview in German. How would you translate “nicht
unbedingt” into English as used here?
A: Sie können sich nur vorstellen, im deutschen Sprachraum zu arbeiten, ist das richtig?
B: Nicht unbedingt. Meine Englischkenntnisse sind auch sehr gut, da ich zwei Jahre in London studiert
habe.
1. not unconditionally
2. not absolutely
3. not necessarily
If you chose 3., “not necessarily,” you are correct! The above conversation would go like this in English:
A: You can only imagine working in the German-speaking part of the world, is that correct?
B: Not necessarily. I can speak English very well too, as I studied in London for two years.
Here are some more examples.
A: If you cancel your vacation this week, then you’ll take vacation next week, won’t you?
B: Not necessarily. First I’ll have to see how this project goes this week.
C: I sent Jack the report on the Humphrey case last week, so he’ll have read it by now, right?
D: Not necessarily. He’s been very busy.
13
Exercise: “Nicht unbedingt”
Read the following sentences and choose the correct response in each case. You can check your answers in
the answer key on pp. 23-24 .
1. So you only want to study abroad in a country where English is spoken?
a. Not necessarily. I speak Spanish too.
b. Not absolutely. I speak Spanish too.
c. Not unconditionally. I speak Spanish too.
2. Do we need snowpants for this trip?
a. Not absolutely. It will be cold, but if you have long underwear, you should be fine.
b. Not unconditionally. It will be cold, but if you have long underwear, you should be fine.
c. Not necessarily. It will be cold, but if you have long underwear, you should be fine.
3. I sent this email to Rob last week, so he'll have read it by now, right?
a. Not unconditionally. I think he may have been on vacation last week.
b. Not necessarily. I think he may have been on vacation last week.
c. Not absolutely. I think he may have been on vacation last week.
4. Will we get into trouble with the authorities if we have too many people in this room for my
presentation?
a. Not necessarily. There are exceptions to the rule depending on how the chairs are set up.
b. Not absolutely. There are exceptions to the rule depending on how the chairs are set up.
c. Not definitely. There are exceptions to the rule depending on how the chairs are set up.
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“Sondern”
Do you know how to express the following German sentence in English?
Henry hat mir kein Bargeld gegeben, sondern er hat mir etwas aufs Konto überwiesen.
The word “sondern” can be difficult to express in English because there are several different options. The
best words to use are “but,” “rather (than)” or “instead (of).” Sometimes the sentence structure needs to
be changed to keep the meaning. And sometimes, it can just be left out all together in the translation.
Here are examples of four different ways you could express the sentence above:
•
•
•
•
Instead of giving me cash, Henry transferred the money to my account.
Henry didn’t give me cash; he transferred the money to my account.
Rather than giving me cash, Henry transferred the money to my account.
Henry didn’t give me cash, but he transferred the money to my account.
If you would like to express “nicht nur…, sondern auch…,” the best way is “not only…, but also…”
Here is an example:
Unsere neue Lernsoftware ist nicht nur für Schüler geeignet, sondern auch für Lehrer.
•
Our new learning software is not only suitable for students, but also for teachers.
15
Exercise: "Sondern"
Read the following pairs of sentences and decide which one is correct in each case. You can check your
answers in the answer key on pp. 23-24 .
1. Which of the following sentences is correct?
a. Dr. Portman wanted to take the bus, rather than the train.
b. Dr. Portman wanted to take not the train, the bus.
2. Which of the following sentences is correct?
a. In English, a "chief" is rather a head of a native tribe, not a "boss."
b. In English, a “chief” is not a “boss,” but a head of a native tribe.
3. Which of the following sentences is correct?
a. This advertisement is not geared at young people, instead senior citizens.
b. This advertisement is geared at senior citizens, rather than young people.
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4. Which of the following sentences is correct?
a. Instead of moving the lab into an existing building, the management has decided to build a
new research facility.
b. The management has decided not to move the lab into an existing building, better to build a
new research facility.
5. Which of the following sentences is correct?
a. Our new location will be an improvement not only for customers, but for employees.
b. Our new location will be an improvement not only for customers, but also for employees.
“Übermorgen” / “Vorgestern”
How would you tell someone in English that you have an appointment übermorgen?
1. I have an appointment over tomorrow.
2. I have an appointment after tomorrow.
3. I have an appointment the day after tomorrow.
If you chose 3., “I have an appointment the day after tomorrow,” you are correct!
Here is another example.
A: When is the deadline for this project? Tomorrow?
B: No, it’s the day after tomorrow – thank goodness! There is still quite a lot to do!
And how would you tell someone that you had an appointment vorgestern?
1. I had an appointment before yesterday.
2. I had an appointment the day before yesterday.
3. I had an appointment the day after yesterday.
If you chose 2., “I had an appointment the day before yesterday,” you are correct!
Here is another example.
A: Did you get back from vacation yesterday?
B: No, we got back the day before yesterday, but I stayed home from work yesterday to unpack and get
settled.
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Exercise: “Übermorgen” / “Vorgestern”
Fill in the blanks with the correct English equivalents of “übermorgen” or “vorgestern.” You can check your
answers in the answer key on pp. 23-24 .
1. I'm going skiing _______________________________________.
2. We received this email _________________________________.
3. We had a meeting _____________________________________ to discuss this issue.
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4. I'll be in Prague _______________________________________.
5. When did this letter arrive? It arrived __________________________________________ by
certified mail.
6. Just think: _________________________________________, we'll be done with this project!
“Übernächste Woche” / “Vorletzte Woche”
In the last tip, we learned how to express übermorgen (the day after tomorrow) and vorgestern (the day
before yesterday) in English. But do you know how to express übernächste Woche or vorletzte Woche?
Übernächste Woche: How would you translate übernächste Woche into English?
1. over next week
2. the week after next week
3. the week after next
If you chose 3., “the week after next,” you are correct! Here is an example.
A: You’ll be gone next week, right?
B: No, I’ll be here next week. I’m leaving for Paris the week after next.
It is also possible to say “in two weeks,” i.e. “I’m leaving for Paris in two weeks.”
Vorletzte Woche: How would you translate vorletzte Woche into English?
1. the week before last
2. the week before last week
3. before last week
If you chose 1., “the week before last,” you are correct! Here is an example.
A: Did you submit the quality report to the authorities last week?
B: No, I actually submitted it the week before last.
It is also possible to say “two weeks ago,” i.e. “I submitted it two weeks ago.”
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Exercise: “Übernächste Woche” / “Vorletzte Woche”
Fill in the blanks with the correct English equivalents of "übernächste Woche" or "vorletzte Woche." You
can check your answers in the answer key on pp. 23-24 .
1. We're going to Copenhagen ________________________________________________.
2. Our sales team had a meeting in Berlin _______________________________________.
3. Our annual report will be coming out _________________________________________.
4. Our new product line was launched __________________________________________.
5. Our department will be moving to a new location ________________________________.
6. I just started a new job ____________________________________________________.
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“Übrigens”
“Übrigens” is a word used frequently in both written and spoken German. We use the English equivalent
quite often as well. Using such “filler words” when writing and speaking English makes you sound more
like a native speaker. Filler words also give you more time to think about what you want to say next! Do
you know how to express “übrigens” in English?
Read the following sentences and see which one(s) is/are a correct way to express “übrigens” in English.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Incidentally, I found that file you were looking for last week.
By the way, I found that file you were looking for last week.
Leftover, I found that file you were looking for last week.
To the side, I found that file you were looking for last week.
If you chose options 1 and 2, “Incidentally, …” and “By the way, …,” you are correct! These are both
correct ways to express “übrigens” in English.
Here are a few more examples:
•
By the way, don’t forget to pack your swimsuit. Your hotel has a swimming pool.
•
Incidentally, I was hoping you’d be able to show me how to use this software while I’m here.
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Exercise: “Übrigens”
Fill in the blanks with the correct English equivalents of "übrigens." You can check your answers in the
answer key on pp. 23-24 .
1. "______________, I have your pen in my bag if you're looking for it.“
a. To the side
b. Leftover
c. By the way
2. "_____________, the next sales meeting will be in Helsinki, where you went last time."
a. Incidentally
b. To the side
c. Leftover"
3. “Joe, ________________, we've decided that Andrew will be moving into your office with you from
next week."
a. on the side
b. leftover
c. by the way
4."________________, we just happen to have the model you are interested in on sale this week."
a. On the side
b. Incidentally
c. Leftover
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Answer Key
Dabei
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I was just writing you an email.
Jenny was there too.
Do you have a business card with you?
I’m in the process of restarting my computer.
Count me in! / I’m in!
Ich habe es mir anders überlegt
1.
2.
3.
4.
b.
c.
a.
b.
Gerne
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
I will be happy to let you know.
Feel free to call me.
That's fine by me!
I like to cook.
We would like to purchase a ticket.
You're welcome.
Sure, I'd be happy to.
Machen lassen
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
a.
a.
b.
a.
b.
Es macht nichts
1.
2.
3.
4.
a.
c.
b.
c.
Nicht unbedingt
1.
2.
3.
4.
a.
c.
b.
a.
Sondern
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
a.
b.
b.
a.
b.
Übermorgen / Vorgestern
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
the day after tomorrow
the day before yesterday
the day before yesterday
the day after tomorrow
the day before yesterday
the day after tomorrow
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Übernächste Woche / Vorletzte Woche
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
the week after next / in two weeks
the week before last / two weeks ago
the week after next / in two weeks
the week before last / two weeks ago
the week after next / in two weeks
the week before last / two weeks ago
Übrigens
1.
2.
3.
4.
c.
a.
c.
b.
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