UNIT 1- LESSON 4

WRITING A GOOD CLAUSE.

When you write in English, you should use a subject plus a verb in every clause. Though there are exceptions, this is a good rule of thumb.

- I recently ate at a really cool restaurant. We had drinks, appetizers, a main course and dessert.

In sentences with a main clause and a dependent clause, each clause needs a subject and a verb.

Main clause

Dependent clause 

we ordered the perfect

when we finished dessert.

Everything was fresh and delicious

So, we'll probably go again.

PAYING THE CHECK 

Before your check, or bill, is brought to the table, your server will ask if you are finished. 

A: Would you like anything else? 

B: No, thanks. just the check.

You can also tell the server that you're ready to pay. 

Could we have the check, please? 

Use these expressions to offer to pay, and to thank someone else for paying:

A: The meal's on me. 

B: That's very generous. I appreciate it.

INTERRUPTING.

When interrupting, there are two important things to remember. First, be sure to interrupt politely, using expressions like excuse me, use and I'm sorry. 

Second, try to interrupt someone just as they finish a sentence, not just as they start one. Use expressions like there to interrupt.

A: I think that this fish is delicious! and... 

B: Excuse me for interrupting, but here's your salad..

A: I love the restaurant. I come here once or 

B:. Sorry to interrupt but our movie starts in 30 minutes. We

should leave soon.

Use expressions like the following to either add to what someone was saying or to state an opinion that may be contrary to what someone was saying. Notice these conversation strategies are much more polite than directly interrupting. 

A: Well, both the T-bone steak and the laragua look really good. I can't decide. 

B: I'd like to add something. The T-bone is from a local farm. It 's organic beef.

A: I'm not sure that the Garlic Ban is the best restaurant for our

B: May I say something? I ate there with friends last week, and it was incredible!

Notice, in the following dialogue, how the man politely refuses, then finally accepts.

A: I'll take that 

B: You don't have to do that!

A: I insist. you're my quest. 

B. Well, if you insist thanks very much.ly

CULTURE NOTE: 

After a business meal, one party usually offers to pay. 

In more informal dinner situations, the bill may be split evenly, with one person doing the math and letting everyone calculate and pay for the food each one ordered individually, or will request a separate check when the order is placed. If you are not sure how the bill should be paid, you call ask.

A: So, how are we paying the check? 

B: How about we each pay for what we had? 

A: Shall we split the bill equally? 

B. Yeah, good idea.

A: That comes to, uh, 22 each.