“The project’s come to a halt. We’re still waiting for funding.”, At least you’ve managed to finish within budget., Can you keep planning, even if the actual work can’t continue?, Would hiring more people help you work faster?, “I found the interview panel quite intimidating.”, Was it their manner, or simply having so many people watching you?, Was it difficult to stay interested in what they were saying?, Did you feel they were too relaxed about the whole thing?, “My laptop’s on the blink again, and I’ve got a deadline tonight.”, Could you turn down the screen brightness?, Have you asked whether the deadline has changed?, You can borrow mine if yours keeps crashing., “The ending was surprisingly uplifting, considering how dark the film was.”, So it left you wondering whether anything could ever improve?, I know. I came out feeling hopeful rather than miserable., Exactly. It avoided anything emotionally difficult throughout., “I’m happy to contribute to the gift, but fifty pounds each seems a bit much.”, Fair enough. We could choose something less expensive., No problem. We’ll leave your name off, since you don’t want to join in., Great. I’ll put you down for the full amount., “The director’s come in for criticism over the casting.”, Has she explained why she criticised the actors?, Was she invited to review the other films as well?, Does she think the complaints are fair?, “We still meet up now and then, but we’re not as close as we used to be.”, So you’ve decided to stop seeing each other altogether?, Is that because you meet so regularly that you’ve run out of things to say?, Do those occasional catch-ups still feel comfortable?, “It’s a competent film, but rather run-of-the-mill.”, So it’s badly made, although the idea is original?, Watchable, then, but nothing we haven’t seen before?, So it’s too unusual to appeal to a wide audience?, “That exhibition completely changed my perception of street art.”, What did you see that made you think differently about it?, Did it confirm everything you’d always believed?, Was it difficult to see the paintings from where you stood?, “My glutes are still sore after yesterday’s workout.”, Was that from all the exercises for your shoulders?, Is that why your grip feels weaker today?, Was yesterday the session with all those squats?, “There’s an abundance of advice online. Choosing what to trust is the hard part.”, So the main problem is finding any information at all?, Exactly. Having so much available doesn’t make it equally useful., Then you’d be better off following every suggestion., “I tend to assume people are annoyed when they reply with just one word.”, I do that too, though sometimes they’re simply busy., So you’ve decided never to send short replies yourself?, Then it must mean they’re annoyed every time., “Could you help me tie this hospital gown? I can’t reach the straps.”, Of course. Shall I fold it and put it in your bag?, Sure. Would you like me to change your appointment?, Of course. Turn around and I’ll fasten them., “I’m not sure that quotation supports the point you’re making.”, Would it help if I printed it in a larger font?, You may be right. I should check the context it came from., It’s from a famous writer, so it must prove my argument., “Leaving a secure job to open a tiny cinema was a bold move.”, It was, but she’d thought carefully about the risks., Exactly. She chose the safest option available., True. There was no real change in her working life., “The surgeon’s still in the operating theatre, so she can’t speak to you yet.”, Could you ask her to call once the audience has left?, Should I wait until she’s finished seeing patients at reception?, Of course. Please let her know I called when she’s available., “His ideas are a bit far-out, but I wouldn’t dismiss them immediately.”, Neither would I. They’re exactly what everyone else is suggesting., Agreed. Unusual doesn’t necessarily mean impractical., True. We should reject them before spending time on the details., “I love visiting the city, but I couldn’t cope with the hustle and bustle every day.”, So you enjoy the energy in small doses?, Is it the lack of activity that would get to you?, Would moving to an even busier neighbourhood solve that?, “She changed one word, but the difference in meaning is quite subtle.”, Yes, it’s obvious even without reading the whole sentence., So the two versions mean precisely the same thing?, I had to read both versions twice before I noticed it., “Could you pass me the gauze? It’s beside the bandages.”, Do you mean the bottle with the blue label?, This packet of thin dressing material here?, The metal instrument on the tray?, “There’s abundant evidence that the scheme works, yet they’re cancelling it.”, Then perhaps the decision is about cost rather than results., Understandable. It’s difficult to continue with so little evidence., They should wait until someone has tested it for the first time., “I almost didn’t recognise you in scrubs.”, I know. Formal evening wear really changes how I look., That’s probably because you’ve never seen me in a winter coat., You’re used to seeing me outside the hospital., “We’re playing a gig on Friday. It’s our first one outside our hometown.”, Have you decided which band you’re going to watch?, That’s exciting. Have many tickets been sold?, Are you hoping to learn an instrument before then?, “The plan is to drain the wetlands and build a shopping centre.”, Has anyone looked at what that would mean for the wildlife there?, Would bringing in more water make construction easier?, So the area will remain a natural habitat?, “The smell from that forgotten lunchbox made me gag.”, Did it make you lose your voice completely?, Was it so strong that you couldn’t stop laughing?, I don’t blame you. I felt sick just opening the fridge., “The brochure says the exhibition covers measles and other childhood illnesses.”, So it’s mainly about accidents in the playground?, Does it explain how people dealt with those diseases in the past?, Will it focus on children’s eating habits rather than illnesses?, “We wanted something less conventional for the wedding.”, So you’re choosing which traditions to keep rather than following them all?, So you’ve decided to do everything exactly as your parents did?, So the traditional ceremony was the only option you considered?, “Apparently, my dad had mumps as a child. I’d never heard him mention it.”, Did he tell you which team he was playing for?, Was that the name of the school he went to?, Did you find that out from him or from an old medical record?, “This Indian summer is lovely, but I’d already packed away all my light clothes.”, You’ll need them if you’re flying to India tomorrow., Same here. I wasn’t expecting another warm spell this late in the year., I know. It’s unusual for the middle of July to feel like summer.

Egor

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