EXPRESSING SYMPATHY

EXPRESSING SYMPATHY

Sometimes bad things happen. When we hear about bad things that happen to other people it's a good idea to express sympathy. This can be difficult as we want to express our concern, but don't want to be intrusive. Here are some common phrase to help you express sympathy.

I'm sorry to hear about + Noun / Gerund 

I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties with the boss. I know he can be really difficult at times.
Ellen just told me the news. I'm sorry to hear about your not getting into Harvard!

Please accept my condolences. 

This phrase is used to express sympathy when someone has died.

Please accept my condolences. Your father was a great man.
I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my condolences.

That's so sad.

That's so sad that you lost your job.
That's so sad that he doesn't love you any more. 

I hope things get better soon.

This phrase is used when people have been having difficulty over a long period of time.

I know your life has been difficult lately. I hope things get better soon.
I can't believe how much bad luck you've had. I hope things get better soon.

I hope you feel better soon.

This phrase is used when someone is experiencing health problems.

I'm so sorry you broke your leg. I hope you feel better soon.
Stay home for the week. I hope you feel better soon. 

Expressing sympathy is used in a number of situations. For example, you might express sympathy for someone whose family member has passed away. Generally, speaking we express sympathy to someone who has difficulties of some sort.

Here are some example dialogues to help you learn when to express sympathy in English.

Example Dialogues

Person 1: I've been rather sick lately.
Person 2: I hope you feel better soon.

Person 1: Tim has been having a lot of troubles lately. I think he might be getting a divorce.
Person 2: I'm sorry to hear about Tim's problems. I hoe things get better for him soon.

Writing Sympathy Notes

It's also common to express sympathy in writing. Here are some common phrases you can use whenwriting a sympathy note to someone. Notice that is common to use the plural 'we' and 'our' when expressing written sympathy as a way to express that a family. Finally, it's important to keep a sympathy note short.

My heartfelt condolences on your loss.
Our thoughts are with you.
She/he was a lot of things to many people and will be missed tremendously.
Thinking of you in your time of loss.
We are very saddened to hear of your loss. With deepest sympathies.
You have my sincere sympathy.
You have our deepest sympathy.

Example Sympathy Note

Dear John,

I heard recently that your mother passed away. She was such a wonderful woman. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on your loss. You have our deepest sympathy.

Warm regards,

Ken

Source: http://esl.about.com/od/smalltalk/a/Expressing-Sympathy.htm

Making, Accepting, and Declining Invitations

Making, Accepting, and Declining Invitations

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Making invitations

Do you know how to invite someone to your house for dinner or to go to the movies?
What do you say in English when someone invites you?
Here are some common expressions you can use when making or responding to invitations

Inviting:

• Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
• Would you like to go to the theater tomorrow?
• Would you be interested in going to the the stadium next Sunday?
• How do you fancy going to the the restaurant for dinner?
• How about going to the movies?
• Care to come over for lunch?
• I was just wondering if you would like to come over for a drink.
• We'd be delighted to have you over for my birthday party.

Here are some more examples of Making Invitation Expressions:

1. "What are you doing next Saturday? We're having some people over for a meal. Would you like to come?"

2. "Have you got anything on for this evening? A couple of us are going to the pub after work if you'd like to come."

(to have something on = to have an arrangement)

3. "Are you free next Thursday?"

4. "Are you doing anything next weekend?"

5. "Would you be interested in coming to the cinema with me tonight?"

6. "How do you fancy going out for a meal at the weekend?"

7. "Do you fancy coming to the cinema with us on Tuesday?"

8. "Would you like to join Sally and I for a bite to eat after work?"

Accepting invitations:

• Sure. What time?
• I'd love to, thanks.
• That's very kind of you, thanks.
• That sounds lovely, thank you.
• What a great idea, thank you.
• Sure. When should I be there?

Here are some more examples of Accepting Invitation expressions: 

If your invitation starts with a phrase like:

- "Would you like to…"

You can reply:

• "I'd love to, thanks."
• "That's very kind of you, thanks."
• "That sounds lovely, thanks."

If the invitation begins:

- Do you fancy coming to the cinema tonight?

You can accept with:

• "What a great idea, thanks."
• "Sure! What's on?"
• "Yeah, why not!" (this can sound a little unenthusiastic, so use it with good friends.) 

Declining invitations:

• I can't.  I have to work.
• This evening is no good.  I have an appointment.
• I'm busy tomorrow.  Can I take a rain check* on that? 
• That's very kind of you, but actually I'm doing something else this afternoon.
• Well, I'd love to, but I'm already going out to the restaurant.
• I'm really sorry, but I've got something else on.
• I really don't think I can - I'm supposed to be doing something else.

(*rain check: used to tell someone that you cannot accept invitations now, but would like to do so at a later time)

Here some more examples of Declining Invitation expressions:

1. "Would you like to come over for dinner on Saturday?"
2. "That's very kind of you, but actually I'm doing something else on Saturday."
3. "Well, I'd love to, but I'm already going out to the cinema."
4. "I'm really sorry, but I've got something else on."
5. "I really don't think I can – I've planned to go away that weekend." 

Dialogue:

Mike and Ann are in a wedding party:

Mike:	Do you want to dance?
Ann:	No thanks. I'm a bit tired right now
Mike:	How about having a drink?
Ann:	Sure, I'd love to!

source:

 http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/communication-lesson-inviting.php 

http://www.english-at-home.com/speaking/making-invitations/

http://www.storyboardthat.com

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