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Lesson 86 of 240

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Everyday etiquette in English

Ana is at the Blue Plate with her tote on the stool. She needs the restroom, and she wants a photo of the quiet jukebox.

Dee is behind the counter with the coffee pot. Murray sits on two stools and has not finished his coffee.

You will ask someone to watch your things, say you will be right back, and ask if you can take a photo.

Could you is a polite way to ask for help. Can I is a casual way to ask permission.

By the end of this lesson

Ask someone to watch your things, say you'll be back, and ask if you can take a photo.

  • Could you watch my things?Please look after my bag for a minute.
  • I'll be right back.I am leaving for a short time and returning.
  • Can I take a photo here?Is it okay to use my camera here?
  • I'm going to the restroom.I need to use the bathroom.
  • I'll leave this here.My bag or coat will stay at this seat.
  • I won't be long.I will return soon.

Scene — the tote on the stool

Ana sits at the counter with her teal tote on the next stool. Dee stands with the coffee pot. Murray is on two stools, still not finished with his coffee.

The jukebox by the door is quiet. Button B7 has a blank label. Ana wants a photo, then a quick trip to the restroom.

Ana sits beside her teal tote while Dee stands with the coffee pot and Murray remains at the counter with his coffee.

Learn — leave your things

Six short lines help you leave the table for a minute.

You'll ask someone to watch your things, say you'll be back, and ask about a photo.

  1. Ana asks Dee to watch her tote while she is away for a moment.

    Could you watch my things?

    Please look after my bag for a minute.

    When to use it: Ask this when you step away and want someone to look after your bag.

    Could you is a polite way to ask for a small favor.

    Say it: Could you often links as one sound.

  2. Ana rises and gestures toward the back hallway to indicate she needs the bathroom.

    I'll be right back.

    I am leaving for a short time and returning.

    When to use it: Say this when you leave for a short time and will return.

    I'll is I will as one piece. Learn it that way.

  3. Ana asks Dee if she may use her camera beside the jukebox.

    Can I take a photo here?

    Is it okay to use my camera here?

    When to use it: Ask this before you take a photo in a shop or diner.

    Can I is a casual way to ask if something is okay.

    Say it: The stress is on the first part of photo.

  4. Ana leaves the counter area and heads toward the back hallway for a short time.

    I'm going to the restroom.

    I need to use the bathroom.

    When to use it: Say this when you leave the table to use the bathroom.

    Going is the -ing form. It names an action happening now.

    Say it: To can sound like tuh in going to.

  5. Ana's teal tote stays on the neighboring stool while Dee keeps watch from the counter.

    I'll leave this here.

    My bag or coat will stay at this seat.

    When to use it: Say this when your bag or coat stays at your seat.

    This points to the bag or coat you are not taking with you.

  6. Ana pauses in the back hallway and looks back toward Dee and Murray at the counter.

    I won't be long.

    I will return soon.

    When to use it: Say this to tell someone you will return soon.

    Won't is will not as one piece. Learn it that way.

    Say it: Won't has a clear o sound, not like want.

Story — a photo of B7

Watch Ana leave her tote with Dee for a minute. She wants a photo of the quiet jukebox, then the restroom.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. Ana's tote sits on the next stool. Murray's coffee is still full.
  2. AnaExcuse me. Could you watch my things? Like a movie?She wants Dee to look after her bag for a minute.
  3. DeeI'll look after the bag, hon. Not a movie.She will look after the bag. Watch does not mean a movie.
  4. AnaI'll leave this here.My bag or coat will stay at this seat.
  5. DeeThat's fine, sweetie.She is okay with the bag staying on the stool.
  6. AnaI'm going to the restroom.I need to use the bathroom.
  7. DeeYou don't need a speech, hon.A short line is enough. Do not explain every step.
  8. AnaI won't be long.I will return soon.
  9. She stops by the jukebox. The B7 button is blank.
  10. AnaCan I take a photo here?Is it okay to use my camera here?
  11. DeeA photo is fine, hon. Not a screwdriver.Dee allows a picture. She will not let anyone open the jukebox.
  12. Ana takes a photo of the blank B7 button.
  13. MurrayWell, that wasn't in the song.He is thinking of an old song and does not explain.
  14. AnaI'll be right back.I am leaving for a short time and returning.
  15. DeeOkay, hon.She heard Ana. The bag can stay.
  16. AnaThank you.you say this when someone helps you

Practice — back in a minute

Ten quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.

They stay short, so the round moves fast.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    English

    Could you watch my things?Drop the Simple English here
    I'll be right back.Drop the Simple English here
    Can I take a photo here?Drop the Simple English here
    I'm going to the restroom.Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

    Drag a Simple English line onto its English, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    You want a picture of the jukebox. Ask Dee before you use your camera.

  4. What does it mean?

    I'll be right back.

  5. Fill the gap

    I need to use the bathroom.

    I'm ____ to the restroom.

  6. Build the line

    My bag or coat will stay at this seat.

    .

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Pick the reply

    Dee says:

    Will you be long, hon?

    She asks if Ana will stay away for a long time.

    And you reply with:

  8. Swap the word

    You need Dee to look after your tote for a minute.

    ____ you watch my things?

  9. Pick the reply

    Dee says:

    Sure, hon. I'll look after the bag.

    She agrees to look after Ana's bag.

    And you reply with:

  10. True or false?

    You say this when you leave for the night.

Say it — say it at the counter

Now you're Ana at the counter. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. DeeYou need something, hon?She is ready to hear what Ana wants.
  2. Ana (you)Ask her to look after your bag for a minute.

    Could you watch my things?

    Please look after my bag for a minute.

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
Could you watch my things?Please look after my bag for a minute.
I'll be right back.I am leaving for a short time and returning.
Can I take a photo here?Is it okay to use my camera here?
I'm going to the restroom.I need to use the bathroom.
I'll leave this here.My bag or coat will stay at this seat.
I won't be long.I will return soon.
Next: lesson 87Small everyday reactions

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