Relationship Behaviors: Vocabulary and Grammar
Relationship Behaviors: Vocabulary
Apologize (pedir desculpas): “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
Argue (discutir): “No! I’m not listening to you.”
Communicate (comunicar): “I think we really need to talk about it.”
Compromise (ter compromisso): “Why don’t I wash the dishes and you do the laundry?”
Criticize (criticar): “You’re being unfair. It’s your turn to take out the garbage.”
Forgive (perdoar): “I know you’re sorry. It’s OK.”
Gossip (fofocar): “Did you hear about Wendy? You’ll never guess what I heard.”
Judge (julgar): “Others may disagree, but I think what you said was awful.”
Lie (mentir): “I told her I liked her new dress, but I didn’t.”
Grammar: Expressions with Infinitives
- It’s good to forgive someone.
- It’s not good to argue.
- It’s important to talk.
- It’s never helpful to judge someone.
- It’s a good idea to accept an apology.
- It’s not a good idea to criticize someone.
- It’s helpful to share your feelings when you have a problem.
- It’s important to communicate in a relationship.
- It’s a good idea to meet new people.
- It’s nice to think about other people before making decisions.
- It’s useful to discuss problems.
- It’s not a good idea to argue with your friends a lot.
Apologizing
I’m sorry. / I’m really sorry. / My apologies.
Accepting an Apology
Oh, that’s OK. / Don’t worry about it. / There’s no need to apologize.
Vocabulary: Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
It’s awful when people break up. It’s always better to stay together. (rompimento)
I need friends that I can count on. My best friends are all reliable. (contar com)
It’s not nice when friends just drop by. They should call before they visit. (visitar sem avisar)
My family and I get along well. We hardly ever argue. (lidar, se dar bem)
My friends and I love to get together. We meet every Saturday. (se juntar)
Most teenagers need to grow up. They can be so immature. (amadurecer)
People used to pick on me in class. They were mean to me. (implicar com)
I love to run into old friends. I sometimes see them at the coffee shop. (encontrar por acaso)
I take after my mother. I’m just like her. (puxar a)
Grammar: Modals for Speculating
Speculating with More Certainty
- He must be really busy. He started a new job.
- He must not leave his house very often. He always seems to be busy.
- He can’t be upset with me. I haven’t done anything to him.
Speculating with Less Certainty
- He could be upset about something. Maybe you did something to him.
- He may not like his new job. I haven’t heard how he likes it.
- He might be feeling stressed out. His new job may be a lot of work.
– I don’t know his weekend plans. He could drop by on Saturday. / She didn’t say much on the phone to him. They must not be getting along. / They may not come to the party. They’re going out to dinner that night. / She can’t take after her father. She’s really tall, but he’s pretty short. / You’re coughing and sneezing so much. You must be getting sick. / They might be tired. Maybe they stayed up late to study for the test.
– Pamela and Miguel don’t get along anymore. She doesn’t want to talk about it. Pamela must be upset with him about something. / Jeff just ran into his college friend Mary. He hasn’t seen her for 20 years. Jeff could be missing her. / Luis and Teresa arranged to get together at a restaurant, but she never came. Teresa may not be really interested in Luis. / Brian dropped by and asked to copy your homework. You’re not going to give it to him. Brian might steal your homework.