Socialising- prepositions and determiners pairwork

Socialising- prepositions and determiners pairwork

Take a Student A or Student B worksheet and work with someone with the other
worksheet, not showing your worksheets to each other.

Choose one section and say one example with the word in bold missing, e.g. “It’s a bit too
big BLANK one person” or “Do you have BEEP allergies?” Your partner should guess what
the missing word is. They can only guess once per hint. If they are wrong, give them
another example from the same section (i.e. with the same word missing). Continue with
one guess per hint until your partner guesses correctly, making more examples yourself
with the same missing word if they don’t guess before you run out of examples on your
worksheet. Then switch roles and try to guess the missing word from your partner’s
examples. Continue taking turns giving hints and guessing until your teacher stops the
game. You can go back to the same section later if you still have examples left.

Ask about any phrases which you don’t understand or think could have a different word in
the gap.

Swap worksheets and do the same again, this time making sure that you choose the most
challenging categories and examples first (because your partner has already seen them).

Do the brainstorming stage below, then check your answers.

Choose one section of the brainstorming stage below and see if your partner can guess
the words in bold in that section, this time meaning different words in each phrase.

p. 1

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2021

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Student A
A
 That’s a great idea. I’ll (definitely) do that.
 That seems like a good idea. I’ll give it a go.
 (That’s a real shame) that sounds like just my kind of thing, but…
 That a pity.
 That’s a shame. How about if we made it…?
 Shall we get a starter?
 (I should warn you that) it’s (a bit) slimy/ spicy/ smelly/ weird/ an acquired taste.
 It has a (slight/ strong) smell (of…)
 It’s (usually) a side dish.

About
 How about bowling?
 Have you thought about taking the bullet train?
 It might be worth thinking about buying some snacks as souvenirs.
 You can forget about getting a taxi late at night.
 Hmm. That might be worth thinking about.
 How do you feel about spicy food?

An
 That’s an excellent suggestion. I’ll do exactly what you said.
 Never mind. Another time, perhaps.
 That’s very kind, but I couldn’t eat another thing.

Back
 When are you flying back?
 I’ll (definitely) come back here again.
 Are you okay getting back to your hotel?

For
 Are you finished for today?
 Do you have any plans for this evening?
 Shall I order for all of us?
 Are you ready for dessert?
 It’s big enough for two people.
 It’s (not) suitable for vegans.
 It’s (a bit) too big for one person.
 Thanks for your recommendation, but…
 You must email me the recipe for this (so I can try and cook it at home).
 I hope it isn’t too spicy for you.

From
 It’s (originally) from the West of the country.
 It’s imported from Russia.
 What is it made from?

p. 2

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2021

300 pages of other social English materials:

https://www.usingenglish.com/e-books/social-english/

 It is (about) 500 metres from here.

In
 Are you interested in sumo?
 I’d be in no hurry to go to Roppongi.
 (I see what you mean). In that case,…
 Would you be interested in joining us?



…I have a meeting in Nagoya and won’t be back until nine p.m.

 It’s sometimes dipped in sauce.
 It’s usually wrapped in seaweed.
 It’s especially popular in this area.

On
 It’s on me./ This one is on me. (You can pay next time).
 Is it big enough on its own (or will I need to order another dish)?
 It takes (about) ten minutes on foot.
 Take the second door on the left.

The
 What’s the best area for nightlife?
 Shall we split the bill?
 The main ingredient is flour.
 What are the (main) ingredients?
 Am I eating this the right way?
 How do you pronounce the name of this one?
 Do you know where the restroom is?
 Thank you very much for your hospitality. I’ll do the same for you sometime.
 Can you remember the way out?

This
 I’d recommend this starter.
 I think you’d like this side dish.
 You really must try this dessert.
 Have you been to this restaurant before?

To
 What are you planning to do while you are here?
 Is there anywhere good to eat around here?
 We would like to invite you to a party.
 Would you like to come (with us)?
 I’d love to. (Where shall we meet?)
 (Oh) I would have loved to, but…
 Would you like anything (else) to drink?

p. 3

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2021

300 pages of other social English materials:

https://www.usingenglish.com/e-books/social-english/

Student B
A
 It’s a local speciality.
 It’s great when you have a hangover.
 Can you recommend a main dish?
 Is it a starter or main course?
 This looks like a nice place. Do you come here often?
 Shall we make a move?
 Shall I call you a taxi?
 Do you need a ride to the station?
 If you don’t mind, I’d prefer something a bit less filling.
 It’s eaten as a snack.

Any
 Are there any good restaurants near here?
 I’d like to see some sport while I’m here. Do you have any recommendations?
 I’m not so sure that’s a good idea (because…) Can you suggest anything else?
 Actually, … already. (Do you have any other ideas?)
 Do you have any allergies?
 Is there anything you don’t like?

At


… I will be flying home at just that time.

 Do people (often) cook it at home?

Between
 You can choose between fried and steamed.
 What’s the difference between this one and that one?
 Can we split this between us?

In
 It’s cooked on the table in front of you.
 It’s rich in protein.
 Dig in!
 Is this available in your country (too), do you know?
 Does this have pork in it?
 What’s in it?
 Can I buy this in a supermarket?
 You are too kind! You must let me take you out in return.

Like
 Do you feel like joining us?
 What does it taste like?
 I’m afraid it doesn’t really sound like my kind of thing.

p. 4

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2021

300 pages of other social English materials:

https://www.usingenglish.com/e-books/social-english/

My
 My advice would be…
 My (personal) recommendation is…
 That’s not a bad idea. I’ll try my best to do that.
 (Sure). That sounds like just my kind of thing (See you there!)


(No, no, I insist). You are my guest today.

 I think this one is my favourite.
 I’ll recommend this place to my colleagues.

Of
 What kind of food do you like?
 Have you ever heard of wasabi?
 What sort of food do you like?


(It all looks so nice.) I’ll let you order for both of us.

 This reminds me (a little) of German food.
 How do you spell the name of this one? (I’d like to Google it later).

To
 Are you allergic to anything?
 It’s (not very) easy to eat.
 It’s (very/ fairly) similar to fish and chips, but…
 I think I’d like to try this one.
 I might stick to soft drinks, actually.
 Do you know how to make this one?
 Would you like me to take you to the airport?
 Would you like to come along (to our party)?

Up
 That’s fine, you can just come along later. Just phone me when you get to the station

and I’ll come and pick you up.

 Is it okay to pick this up (with my fingers)?

With
 Why don’t you come (with us)?
 It goes well with this sauce/ with….
 It’s often filled with meat.
 It’s (usually) eaten with chopsticks.
 Feel free to eat with your fingers.

Your
 Is this your first time here/ in Tokyo/ here in Tokyo?
 Okay. I understand. If you change your mind…
 Please help yourself.
 How’s your meal?

p. 5

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2021

300 pages of other social English materials:

https://www.usingenglish.com/e-books/social-english/

Brainstorming stage
Without looking above, write as many suitable phrases as you can in each gap below.
Recommendations and invitations
4A. Small talk questions from the host leading to recommendations and invitations

4B. Small talk questions from the guest leading to recommendations and invitations

Asking for and making recommendations
4C. Asking for recommendations

4D. Giving recommendations
4Di. Strong recommendations

4Dii. Weaker recommendations

4Diii. Negative recommendations

4Div. Further recommendations (after the response to the first recommendation)

4E. Responses to recommendations
4Ei. Strong positive responses to recommendations

4Eii. Weaker positive responses to recommendations

4Eiii. Negative responses

4Fii. Inviting

4G. Positive responses to invitations

4H. Negative responses to invitations
4Hi. Positive comments on the invitation

p. 6

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2021

300 pages of other social English materials:

https://www.usingenglish.com/e-books/social-english/

4Hii. Giving a (detailed) reason for saying no

4Iii. Reactions to negative responses
Giving up when receiving negative responses (without sounding negative)

Trying again when receiving negative responses

5A. Useful phrases for hosts in restaurants
5Ai. Offers

5Aii. Questions to ask the guest before ordering

5Aiii. Recommendations/ Suggestions

5Aiv. Phrases for describing food

5Avi. Chatting while eating/ about the food and restaurant/ Making conversation

5B. Useful phrases for guests in restaurants
5Bi. Questions about food and drink (before ordering)

5Bii. Requests

5Biii. Refusing/ Turning down offers

5Biv. Chatting while eating/ Chatting about the food/ Making conversation

5Bv. Complimenting/ Thanking

2F. Moving to another place/ Directing people/ Giving directions

Look above for suitable phrases above, brainstorm more, then compare as a class.

p. 7

Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com © 2021

300 pages of other social English materials:

https://www.usingenglish.com/e-books/social-english/