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Lesson 208 of 240

New here? This is lesson 208 of a free 240-lesson English course.

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What someone said in English

Tasha sends Ana a long voice memo. At the Blue Plate, Ana gives Dee the short version, not the whole story.

You'll pass on what someone said, and you'll keep the message short and true.

You'll also ask someone to tell a person, and you'll say when you missed the last part.

By the end of this lesson

Pass on a message in a short, true way.

  • She told me that ___.This is the message I got from her.
  • He said he can't come.His message is that he is not able to come.
  • She asked if you're free.She wants to know whether you have time.
  • Can you tell him I'm waiting?Please say that I am here and waiting.
  • I'll pass it on.I'll tell that person for you.
  • I didn't hear the rest.I missed the last part of the message.

Scene — a long memo

Late afternoon at the Blue Plate. Ana sits at the counter with her phone. Dee has the coffee pot in hand.

Murray is on two stools with a black coffee he has not finished. The jukebox by the door stays quiet. Tasha's long memo is waiting on the phone.

Ana checks her phone at the counter while Dee holds the coffee pot and Murray sits with unfinished coffee near the quiet jukebox.

Learn — what someone said

Six lines help you pass on a message. You report what she told you, what he said, and what she asked.

You also ask someone to tell him, and you say when you missed the rest.

  1. Ana looks up from her phone as she prepares to pass on a message she received.

    She told me that ___.

    This is the message I got from her.

    When to use it: Use this to pass on the message you got from her.

    After that, add her words in a short, true way.

  2. Ana gives a small apologetic shrug as she reports that someone is unable to come.

    He said he can't come.

    His message is that he is not able to come.

    When to use it: Use this when you report that he is not able to come.

    Keep can't as he said it, because it is still true.

    Say it: Can't sounds stronger than can.

  3. Ana asks Dee whether Dee has time, with Dee listening across the counter.

    She asked if you're free.

    She wants to know whether you have time.

    When to use it: Use this to pass on her question about time.

    If starts the question you are passing on.

  4. Ana realizes she missed the last part of the message while Dee waits for clarification.

    Can you tell him I'm waiting?

    Please say that I am here and waiting.

    When to use it: Ask someone to give him this short message.

    This is a polite way to ask them to pass a message.

  5. Murray has just passed on Danny's message, and Dee gestures to Ana to relay a reply.

    I'll pass it on.

    I'll tell that person for you.

    When to use it: Say this when you agree to tell the other person.

    I'll is I will, said as one piece.

  6. Ana accepts Dee's request to pass the message along while Murray remains seated nearby.

    I didn't hear the rest.

    I missed the last part of the message.

    When to use it: Say this when you missed the last part of a message.

    didn't is did not, said as one piece.

Story — the short version

Ana has a long memo from Tasha. Watch her pass the short version to Dee.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. Ana's phone lights up on the counter. Dee looks over.
  2. DeeLong memo, hon?She asks about the long spoken message.
  3. AnaYeah, it is. Before I forget, I need to tell you.She says the memo is long, then she wants to tell Dee now.
  4. DeeKeep it short. It gets bigger every time you tell it.Each telling adds more than the last one.
  5. AnaShe told me that she can't come tonight.Tasha's message is that she is not able to come tonight.
  6. DeeAnything else in there?She asks if the memo had more.
  7. AnaShe asked if you're free.She wants to know whether you have time.
  8. DeeThat's all?She checks if that is the whole message.
  9. AnaI didn't hear the rest.I missed the last part of the message.
  10. Murray turns on his two stools. His coffee is still full.
  11. MurrayWell, Danny called. He said he can't come.Danny phoned, and his message is that he is not able to come.
  12. DeeCan you tell him I'm waiting?Please say that I am here and waiting.
  13. AnaI'll pass it on.I'll tell that person for you.

Practice — pass it on

Eleven quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, fill a gap, build a line, and pick the right message.

Keep the words true. Do not grow the story.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    English

    She told me that ___.Drop the Simple English here
    He said he can't come.Drop the Simple English here
    She asked if you're free.Drop the Simple English here
    I'll pass it on.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?

    Dee asks what Tasha told you. Pass on Tasha's message.

  4. What does it mean?

    I didn't hear the rest.

  5. Fill the gap

    Please say that I am here and waiting.

    Can you tell him I'm ____?

  6. Build the line

    She wants to know whether you have time.

    .

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Pick the reply

    Dee says:

    Can you tell him I'm waiting?

    Please say that I am here and waiting.

    And you reply with:

  8. Swap the word

    Dee asked you to tell Danny she is waiting. You agree to tell him.

    I'll pass it ____.

  9. Put the chat in order

    1. MurrayWhat comes first?
    2. Dee…
    3. Ana…

    Tap the line that comes next, or drag it into the chat.

  10. True or false?

    This line means the story stays the same each time.

  11. What do you say?

    You have a short message for Dee. You want to say it now, while you still remember.

Say it — say the message

Now you're Ana at the counter. Dee wants the short message. 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. DeeWhat's in the memo, hon?She asks what Tasha said.
  2. Ana (you)Pass on Tasha's message. She is not coming tonight.

    She told me that ___.

    This is the message I got from her.

0 of 5 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
She told me that ___.This is the message I got from her.
He said he can't come.His message is that he is not able to come.
She asked if you're free.She wants to know whether you have time.
Can you tell him I'm waiting?Please say that I am here and waiting.
I'll pass it on.I'll tell that person for you.
I didn't hear the rest.I missed the last part of the message.
Next: lesson 209Festivals and traditions

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Want to keep these messages handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.

A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps these messages ready when someone asks you to pass one on.

Open Yak Cards