Guide de conversation 5 : Informer / s'informer - cours

Asking for information

-(Excuse me) can/ could you tell me (the way to the station/...)

-Do you know (if they are here / when they leave /...)

-Could you give me some information about ...

-Is it true that (they have moved /...)

-Have you got an idea of (when they leave / ...)

-I'd like to know (what he does / ...)

Correcting agreeing with a statement

-Yes, it is / was / will ...

-Oh yes, I did / Oh no, I didn't.

-That's (quite) right.

-No, it isn't really so.

-I'm sorry but that isn't correct.

- Well, it's the contrary in fact.

Asking about language

-Pardon? / I beg your pardon?

-I'm sorry I didn't catch what you said.
-What do you mean?

-What is the meaning of ...?

-How do you pronounce..?

-How do you say that?

-How is it spelt? How do you spell ...?

Expressing certainty

Being sure.

I'm sure / certain (that) (he will come / ...)

-There is no doubt about it.

-No doubt (you'd like to see your gift / ...)

-I certainly think / believe that (she was unhappy / ...)

-I'm positive on that point.

I'm certain...

-It is obvious that ...

-That goes without saying.

-It's crystal clear.

-It's as sure as two and two make four.

Being less sure.

-I think so

-I think that ( they will be there by 6 / ...)

-I suppose so.

-I suppose / expect that ( it is the way to the bus stop /...)

-I believe that ( he is sick / ...)

-I assume (that ) (they did it / ...)

-It's more than probable that ...

-I wouldn't be surprised if ....

Being unsure.

I'm not sure (that) ...

-I wonder if...

-I doubt if ...

-May be / perhaps (they're right / ...)

-It's very doubtful whether (he'll accept / ...)

-There's a little chance of ( arriving in time / ...)

-It isn't known for use ...

Not knowing.

-I don't think so.

-I don't think that (they will give her a ring / ...)

-I don't know / I've no idea / I wouldn't like to say (where it is).

-I haven't the faintest idea.

-Sorry, I can't tell you.

Inquiring about certainty

-Are you (quite) sure (that) ...

-Do you think so?

-Do you think that ...?

-Do you believe / suppose that (it's a good idea / ...)?

Expressing possibility

-It is possible

-It is possible (that) (it rains / ...)

-I / you ... can (drive / read / ...)

-He / we / ... is/are capable of ( doing better / ...)

Expressing impossibility

-It is impossible

-It is impossible (that) (it rains / ...)

-I / you ... can't (drive / read / ...)

-You can't possibly ( do this / ...)

Inquiring about possibility

-Is it possible?

-Is it possible (that) (he will come / ...)

-Will he / she / they .. be able to (do it / ...)?

-Can he / she /.... (drive / read /...)?

Expressing obligation

-You have (got) (to go / ...)

-We / you ..must (leave / ...)

-Do behave yourself!

-It is compulsory.
You are to .. (be there at 4 / ...)

-We are forced to do so.

-We were obliged to (pay / ...)

Expressing there is no obligation

-It's not necessary / not necessarily.

-No) you needn't / you don't need to ... (go out / ...)

-No need to (wait / ...)

-You don't have to .. (wait / ...)

-You haven't got to (wash the car / ...)

-It is not compulsory.

-It is not absolutely vital.

-Why should you?

-You aren't obliged to ...(wait for them /...)

Inquiring about obligation

-Must we ( go / stay /...)

-Do you have to ( wash our hands / wait/...)

-Have I / we got to ( go now /...)

-Is it compulsory?

-Am I / Are we required to ( take an exam / ...)

-Need we (stay / ...)

-Am I to (wait here / ...) ?

-Am I obliged to (leave / ...)?

-Are we supposed to (read this book / ...)?

Forbidding, refusing permission

Parking is strictly forbidden / prohibited here.

-Trespassers will be prosecuted.

-No begging / parking / waiting / ...

-They won't let me (go out / ...)

-Nobody is to (enter this area / ...)

-I was refused permission to ( use my car / ...)

-You may not (drink alcohol / ...)

-We weren't allowed to (talk / ...)

-It's out of question.
-Smoking / drinking alcohol .. is not permitted/ is prohibited.