Catching up over coffee in English: stories, opinions, plans
I went to the Met on Saturday, and then I met some friends for brunch.
“I went to the Met on Saturday, and after that I had brunch with some friends.”
When: Catching up with someone about your weekend
The moment
You run into an acquaintance at a café in the West Village and sit down to catch up. Swap weekend stories, share opinions about a restaurant you've both tried, then invite them out; they hesitate, so win them over or take a rain check gracefully.
A2 · Unit 4 · Small talk & stories · Checkpoint
This is the unit’s checkpoint: one roleplay that puts the unit’s scenes together.
The lines
Story, then hand it back
Tell two things you did and link them: 'I went to the Met on Saturday, and then I met some friends for brunch.' Then ask 'How about you?' so they can tell their story too.
I went to the Met on Saturday, and then I met some friends for brunch.
“I went to the Met on Saturday, and after that I had brunch with some friends.”
When to use it: Catching up with someone about your weekend
What you’ll hear back: Oh, fun! I haven't been there in years. (Nice! I haven't gone there for a long time.)
Convincing a maybe
If someone isn't sure, give them a good reason: 'Come on, it'll be fun! The tacos are really good there.' If they still say no, stay friendly: 'No worries, let's do it another time.'
Come on, it'll be fun! The tacos are really good there.
“Please come, you will enjoy it! The tacos there are very good.”
When to use it: When your friend is not sure about your invitation
What you’ll hear back: OK, you talked me into it! (OK, you changed my mind. I'll come!)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| It's been forever! | its-bin fer-EH-ver | We haven't seen each other for a long time! |
Hey, Sam! It's been forever! How've you been? Hi, Sam! I haven't seen you in a long time! How are you? Tip: Big friendly hello; 'forever' can mean just a few weeks. | ||
| I know, right? | ai NOH, RAIT | Yes, I agree with you completely! |
That place is so expensive now. / I know, right? That restaurant costs so much now. / Yes, I think so too! Tip: Not a real question; it's just excited agreement. | ||
| No worries, maybe next time. | noh WUR-eez, MAY-bee NEKS taim | It's OK that you can't come. We can do it later. |
You're busy Saturday? No worries, maybe next time. You can't on Saturday? That's OK, we can go another day. Tip: Keeps things light; Americans avoid pushing after a second no. | ||
Your objective
Tell them about your weekend, say what you think of a place you both know and why, then invite them out and win them over.
- something from your weekend
- your opinion and a reason
- an invitation
Lines that get it done
- I went to the Met on Saturday, and then I met some friends for brunch.
- Come on, it'll be fun! The tacos are really good there.
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. You see an acquaintance you haven't seen in months. What is a warm, natural greeting?
- Hey! It's been forever! How've you been?
- Hey! It was forever! How are you been?
- Hello. I have not seen you. Why?
- Hey! It's been forever! Where did you go?
Show the answer
Hey! It's been forever! How've you been?
'It's been forever' means it's been a long time, and 'How've you been?' asks about the whole time you were apart.
2. Your friend says, 'I don't know... I'm kind of tired.' How do you try to win them over?
- Come on, it'll be fun! The tacos are really good there.
- Come on, it was fun! The tacos were really good there.
- OK. Bye.
- You have to come because I said so.
Show the answer
Come on, it'll be fun! The tacos are really good there.
'Come on, it'll be fun!' is a friendly push, and a reason like good tacos helps. The plan is in the future, so use 'it'll'.
3. You say, 'That new pizza place is so overrated.' Your friend answers, 'I know, right?' What do they mean?
- They agree with you.
- They don't know the place.
- They want to know if you are right.
- They think the pizza is great.
Show the answer
They agree with you.
'I know, right?' is not a real question. It means 'Yes, I agree!'