Make Excuses Easy English conversation — Transcript

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1. 0:00Hello everyone, my name is Emily.
2. 0:02Welcome to English Club. I'm so happy
3. 0:05you're here today. We have a great
4. 0:07conversation for you. Let me introduce
5. 0:09my friend Paul. Hi Paul.
6. 0:11>> Hi Emily. How are you doing today?
7. 0:13>> I'm doing great, thanks. How about you?
8. 0:15Are you well?
9. 0:16>> Yes, I'm very well, thank you. I'm happy
10. 0:18to be here.
11. 0:19>> Me, too. It's always nice to chat with
12. 0:22you, Paul.
13. 0:22>> Thank you, Emily. I feel the same way.
14. 0:24>> So, um, Paul, did you have a good day
15. 0:27today?
16. 0:27>> Yes, I did. I had a productive morning.
17. 0:30I finished some work early. What about
18. 0:32you?
19. 0:32>> Oh, that's good. My day has been nice,
20. 0:35too. I went shopping this morning.
21. 0:37>> Shopping? Did you buy anything
22. 0:38interesting?
23. 0:39>> Yes, I bought some new books. I love
24. 0:42reading.
25. 0:43>> Books are great. What kind of books did
26. 0:45you get?
27. 0:45>> I got two mystery novels. I enjoy
28. 0:48mystery stories.
29. 0:49>> Nice. I like mysteries, too. They're
30. 0:51very engaging.
31. 0:53>> Yes, they are. I can't wait to start
32. 0:55reading them.
33. 0:55>> That sounds like a nice way to spend
34. 0:57your evening. It is very relaxing.
35. 1:00>> Good for you.
36. 1:01>> Before we start today's topic, please
37. 1:03like and subscribe to our channel for
38. 1:05more English learning videos.
39. 1:07>> Yes, please do. It helps us continue
40. 1:09making these lessons for you.
41. 1:10>> So, Paul, today we're going to talk
42. 1:12about something practical. We're going
43. 1:14to talk about how to make excuses in
44. 1:17English.
45. 1:17>> Oh, that's an interesting topic. I think
46. 1:20many people need to learn this.
47. 1:21>> Yes, I agree. Making excuses is
48. 1:24something we all do sometimes, but we
49. 1:26need to do it politely.
50. 1:28>> That's true. We don't want to be rude
51. 1:30when we decline something.
52. 1:31>> Exactly. There's a polite way to say no
53. 1:34or to explain why we can't do something.
54. 1:36>> Right. So, this is about being polite,
55. 1:39not about lying.
56. 1:40>> That's a good point. We should always
57. 1:42try to be honest, but we can be honest
58. 1:44in a gentle way.
59. 1:46>> I understand. So, Emily, when do we need
60. 1:48to make excuses?
61. 1:50>> Well, we make excuses in many
62. 1:51situations. For example, when someone
63. 1:54invites us somewhere and we can't go.
64. 1:56>> Oh, like when a friend invites me to
65. 1:58dinner but I'm busy.
66. 1:59>> Exactly. Or when we're late for
67. 2:01something or when we can't finish work
68. 2:03on time.
69. 2:04>> I see. So, excuses help us explain our
70. 2:07situation.
71. 2:08>> Yes. They help us communicate why we
72. 2:10can't do something or why something went
73. 2:12wrong.
74. 2:13>> That makes sense. So, how do we start?
75. 2:15What's a good way to make an excuse?
76. 2:17>> The first step is to apologize. You
77. 2:20start with I'm sorry or I apologize.
78. 2:23>> I'm sorry. I apologize. So, we show that
79. 2:26we feel bad about the situation.
80. 2:28>> Exactly. This shows respect for the
81. 2:30other person.
82. 2:30>> What comes after the apology?
83. 2:32>> After the apology, you give your reason.
84. 2:34You explain why you can't do something.
85. 2:37>> Can you give me an example?
86. 2:38>> Sure. Let's say someone invites you to a
87. 2:41party. You could say, "I'm sorry, but I
88. 2:43can't make it. I have another
89. 2:45commitment."
90. 2:46>> I'm sorry, but I can't make it. I have
91. 2:48another commitment. So, I apologize and
92. 2:50then explain.
93. 2:51>> Yes. Notice I used but. This word
94. 2:54connects the apology to the reason.
95. 2:56>> I see. What's a commitment?
96. 2:58>> A commitment is something you've already
97. 3:00promised to do. It's a previous plan or
98. 3:02obligation.
99. 3:03>> Oh, so I have another commitment means I
100. 3:06already have plans.
101. 3:07>> Exactly right. It's a polite way to say
102. 3:10you're busy.
103. 3:10>> That's useful. What other reasons can I
104. 3:13give? You can say, "I'm not feeling
105. 3:15well." Or, "I have to work." Or, "I have
106. 3:18a family obligation."
107. 3:19>> I'm not feeling well. I have to work. I
108. 3:22have a family obligation. These are all
109. 3:24clear reasons.
110. 3:25>> Yes, they're honest and people
111. 3:27understand them.
112. 3:28>> What if I don't want to give a specific
113. 3:30reason?
114. 3:31>> That's okay. You can be vague. You can
115. 3:33say, "I'm afraid I can't make it." Or,
116. 3:36"Unfortunately, I'm not available."
117. 3:39>> I'm afraid I can't make it.
118. 3:41Unfortunately, I'm not available, so I
119. 3:43don't have to explain everything.
120. 3:45>> Right. Sometimes it's okay to keep it
121. 3:48general. People usually don't push for
122. 3:50more details.
123. 3:51>> That's good to know. Emily, what about
124. 3:53when I'm late? How do I make an excuse
125. 3:55for being late?
126. 3:56>> When you're late, you should apologize
127. 3:58immediately. Say, I'm so sorry I'm late.
128. 4:02>> I'm so sorry I'm late. And then I give a
129. 4:04reason.
130. 4:05>> Yes, you can say the traffic was
131. 4:07terrible. Or, my bus was delayed. The
132. 4:10traffic was terrible. My bus was
133. 4:12delayed. These are common problems.
134. 4:14>> Exactly. People understand these
135. 4:16situations. They happen to everyone.
136. 4:18>> What if I overslept? Should I say that?
137. 4:21>> Well, it depends. Oversleeping sounds
138. 4:24less professional. In a work situation,
139. 4:26you might want to say something else.
140. 4:28>> Like what?
141. 4:28>> You could say, "I had some unexpected
142. 4:31issues this morning." That's more
143. 4:32professional.
144. 4:33>> I had some unexpected issues this
145. 4:35morning. That's vague but polite.
146. 4:38>> Yes. It doesn't give too much detail,
147. 4:40but it explains why you're late.
148. 4:42>> Smart. What about at school or with
149. 4:44friends? Can I be more honest
150. 4:45>> with friends? Yes. You can be more
151. 4:48casual. You can say, "Sorry, I
152. 4:50overslept."
153. 4:50>> "Sorry, I overslept." Friends are more
154. 4:53understanding.
155. 4:54>> Right. With close friends, you can be
156. 4:56more direct.
157. 4:57>> I see. So, I adjust my excuse based on
158. 4:59who I'm talking to.
159. 5:01>> Exactly. Formal situations need more
160. 5:03formal excuses. Casual situations can be
161. 5:06more relaxed. That makes sense. Emily,
162. 5:09what if I need to cancel plans? How do I
163. 5:11do that politely?
164. 5:12>> Cancelling plans is tricky. You need to
165. 5:15be apologetic and give notice as soon as
166. 5:17possible.
167. 5:18>> So, I shouldn't wait until the last
168. 5:19minute,
169. 5:20>> right? The earlier you cancel, the
170. 5:22better. It shows respect for the other
171. 5:24person's time.
172. 5:25>> What should I say?
173. 5:26>> You could say, "I'm really sorry, but I
174. 5:29need to cancel our plans. Something has
175. 5:30come up."
176. 5:31>> I'm really sorry, but I need to cancel
177. 5:33our plans. Something has come up. What
178. 5:35does something has come up mean?
179. 5:37>> Something has come up means an
180. 5:39unexpected situation has happened. It's
181. 5:41a common phrase for cancelling.
182. 5:43>> Oh, so it's like saying something
183. 5:44unexpected happened.
184. 5:46>> Exactly. It's polite and doesn't require
185. 5:48too much explanation.
186. 5:50>> That's convenient. What if I want to
187. 5:52reschedu instead of just cancel?
188. 5:54>> That's better. People appreciate when
189. 5:56you suggest a new time. You can say,
190. 5:58"I'm sorry, but can we reschedu? How
191. 6:00about next week?"
192. 6:01>> "I'm sorry, but can we reschedule? How
193. 6:04about next week?" So, I offer an
194. 6:05alternative.
195. 6:06>> Yes, this shows you still want to meet,
196. 6:09just at a different time.
197. 6:10>> That's more positive than just
198. 6:12cancelling.
199. 6:12>> Definitely. It shows you value the
200. 6:15person and the plans.
201. 6:16>> Good point, Emily. What about work
202. 6:18situations? How do I make excuses at
203. 6:20work?
204. 6:21>> Work excuses need to be professional.
205. 6:23You should be honest, but brief.
206. 6:25>> What if I can't finish something on
207. 6:27time?
208. 6:27>> You should tell your boss as soon as
209. 6:29possible. Say, "I apologize, but I won't
210. 6:32be able to finish this by the deadline.
211. 6:33I need a bit more time.
212. 6:35>> I apologize, but I won't be able to
213. 6:37finish this by the deadline. I need a
214. 6:38bit more time. So, I'm honest about it.
215. 6:41>> Yes, honesty is important at work. Don't
216. 6:43wait until the deadline passes.
217. 6:45>> Right. It's better to ask for more time
218. 6:47in advance.
219. 6:48>> Exactly. Your boss will appreciate the
220. 6:50early warning.
221. 6:51>> Should I explain why I need more time?
222. 6:54>> Yes, briefly. You can say the project
223. 6:56was more complex than expected or I had
224. 6:59some technical difficulties. The project
225. 7:02was more complex than expected. I had
226. 7:04some technical difficulties. These are
227. 7:06professional reasons.
228. 7:08>> Yes, they show that you encountered real
229. 7:10problems, not that you were lazy.
230. 7:12>> That's important. What if I need to miss
231. 7:14work?
232. 7:15>> If you're sick, you should call as early
233. 7:17as possible. Say, I'm not feeling well
234. 7:19today. I won't be able to come in.
235. 7:21>> I'm not feeling well today. I won't be
236. 7:23able to come in. Short and clear,
237. 7:26>> right? You don't need to give all the
238. 7:27details of your illness. Just say you're
239. 7:29not well. What if I have a family
240. 7:31emergency?
241. 7:32>> Say, I have a family emergency. I need
242. 7:34to take today off. Most employers
243. 7:37understand this.
244. 7:38>> I have a family emergency. I need to
245. 7:40take today off. That's straightforward.
246. 7:42>> Yes, family emergencies are legitimate
247. 7:44reasons to miss work.
248. 7:46>> Good to know, Emily. Are there any
249. 7:48excuses I should avoid?
250. 7:49>> Yes, good question. Avoid excuses that
251. 7:52sound fake or overused.
252. 7:54>> Like what?
253. 7:54>> Things like, "My dog ate my homework."
254. 7:57Or, "My alarm didn't go off." if you use
255. 7:59it too often.
256. 8:00>> My dog ate my homework. That does sound
257. 8:03fake.
258. 8:03>> It's a classic excuse that nobody
259. 8:05believes anymore.
260. 8:06>> What about my alarm didn't go off?
261. 8:08>> Once in a while, it's okay. But if you
262. 8:10use it every week, people will stop
263. 8:12believing you.
264. 8:12>> I see. So, I shouldn't use the same
265. 8:14excuse repeatedly.
266. 8:16>> Exactly. People notice patterns. If
267. 8:18you're always late for the same reason,
268. 8:20it looks suspicious.
269. 8:21>> That makes sense. What else should I
270. 8:23avoid?
271. 8:24>> Avoid blaming others if it's not true.
272. 8:26Don't say someone else was supposed to
273. 8:28do it if that's not accurate.
274. 8:30>> Someone else was supposed to do it. So
275. 8:32don't shift blame unfairly.
276. 8:33>> Right. Take responsibility for your own
277. 8:36actions.
278. 8:36>> That's mature and professional. What
279. 8:38about exaggerating?
280. 8:40>> Yes. Avoid exaggerating. Don't make your
281. 8:42excuse bigger than it needs to be.
282. 8:44>> Can you give an example?
283. 8:45>> Sure. Don't say, "I had a massive
284. 8:47emergency." If it was just a small
285. 8:49problem.
286. 8:50>> I had a massive emergency. That's
287. 8:52overdramatic if it wasn't really
288. 8:54serious.
289. 8:54>> Exactly. People can usually tell when
290. 8:57you're exaggerating,
291. 8:58>> so keep it honest and realistic.
292. 9:00>> Yes, simple honesty is always best.
293. 9:02>> I agree. Emily, what about body
294. 9:04language? Does that matter when making
295. 9:06excuses?
296. 9:07>> Oh, very good question. Yes, body
297. 9:10language is important.
298. 9:11>> How so?
299. 9:12>> If you're making an excuse in person,
300. 9:13you should look sincere. Make eye
301. 9:15contact and speak clearly.
302. 9:17>> Make eye contact and speak clearly so I
303. 9:19show that I'm being honest.
304. 9:21>> Exactly. If you look away or mumble,
305. 9:23people might think you're lying. That's
306. 9:25true. Confidence in delivery is
307. 9:27important.
308. 9:28>> It is. Even if you're apologizing, do it
309. 9:30confidently and sincerely.
310. 9:32>> What about tone of voice?
311. 9:33>> Your tone should be apologetic, but not
312. 9:35overly dramatic. Sound genuinely sorry,
313. 9:38but don't overdo it.
314. 9:39>> Sound genuinely sorry, but don't overdo
315. 9:41it. So, I find a balance,
316. 9:43>> right? Too much drama can seem fake.
317. 9:45>> I understand, Emily. Let's practice some
318. 9:48excuses. Can we do some examples?
319. 9:50>> Sure. Great idea. Let's imagine I invite
320. 9:52you to dinner and you can't come. What
321. 9:54would you say?
322. 9:55>> Okay, Emily, thank you so much for the
323. 9:57invitation. Unfortunately, I can't make
324. 10:00it this Friday. I have a family
325. 10:01commitment.
326. 10:02>> That's excellent. You thanked me,
327. 10:04apologized, and gave a reason. Very
328. 10:06polite.
329. 10:07>> Thank you. Now, you try. Tell me you
330. 10:09can't help me move this weekend.
331. 10:11>> All right, Paul. I'm really sorry, but I
332. 10:13can't help you move this weekend. I
333. 10:15threw out my back and I need to rest.
334. 10:18>> Good. You apologized and gave a clear
335. 10:20reason. I understand completely.
336. 10:22>> Yes. A physical limitation is a very
337. 10:25understandable reason.
338. 10:27>> Definitely. Let me try another one. You
339. 10:30ask me to work late and I need to
340. 10:32decline.
341. 10:33>> Okay. So, you're my employee. I say,
342. 10:35"Paul, can you stay late tonight?"
343. 10:38>> I appreciate you asking, but I'm afraid
344. 10:40I can't tonight. I have to pick up my
345. 10:42children from school.
346. 10:43>> Perfect. You are polite and gave a
347. 10:46legitimate reason. Family obligations
348. 10:48are important.
349. 10:49>> Yes. And I said, "I appreciate you
350. 10:51asking. That's respectful.
351. 10:53>> Very respectful. Good job. Now, tell me
352. 10:56you'll be late for our meeting.
353. 10:58>> Okay, Emily, I'm so sorry, but I'm
354. 11:00running about 15 minutes late. The
355. 11:02traffic is very heavy right now. I'll be
356. 11:04there as soon as I can.
357. 11:06>> Excellent. You apologized, explained why
358. 11:08and gave a time estimate. That's very
359. 11:11considerate.
360. 11:12>> Thank you. Giving a time estimate helps
361. 11:14the other person plan.
362. 11:16>> Exactly. It shows you're being
363. 11:17thoughtful.
364. 11:18>> These practice examples are really
365. 11:20helpful. I think so too. The more you
366. 11:23practice, the more natural it becomes,
367. 11:25>> right? I feel more confident about
368. 11:27making polite excuses now.
369. 11:29>> That's wonderful. Remember, the key is
370. 11:31to be polite, honest, and brief.
371. 11:34>> Polite, honest, and brief. That's a good
372. 11:37rule to remember.
373. 11:38>> Yes, you don't need long, complicated
374. 11:40excuses. Simple is better.
375. 11:42>> I agree. Long excuses can sound
376. 11:45suspicious.
377. 11:46>> They can. Keep it simple and sincere.
378. 11:49>> We'll do. Emily, do you have any final
379. 11:51tips for our listeners?
380. 11:53>> Yes. Remember that it's okay to say no.
381. 11:55Sometimes you don't have to say yes to
382. 11:58everything.
383. 11:59>> That's important. People need to learn
384. 12:00that.
385. 12:01>> Yes. Saying no politely with a good
386. 12:03excuse is perfectly acceptable.
387. 12:05>> And it's better than saying yes and then
388. 12:07cancelling later.
389. 12:09>> Exactly. Right. Be honest from the
390. 12:11beginning when possible.
391. 12:12>> Good advice. What else?
392. 12:14>> Also, if you make an excuse, try to
393. 12:16offer an alternative if you can. Like we
394. 12:18said earlier, suggest rescheduling.
395. 12:21>> Offer an alternative that shows you
396. 12:23still care about the person or the
397. 12:25commitment.
398. 12:26>> Yes, it ends the conversation on a
399. 12:28positive note.
400. 12:29>> That's smart. Well, Emily, this has been
401. 12:31a very practical conversation today.
402. 12:33>> Thank you, Paul. I hope our listeners
403. 12:35find these phrases useful.
404. 12:37>> I'm sure they will. Knowing how to make
405. 12:39polite excuses is an important life
406. 12:40skill.
407. 12:41>> It really is. We all need these skills
408. 12:43in daily life.
409. 12:45>> Absolutely. Whether at work, with
410. 12:47friends, or with family,
411. 12:48>> right? These phrases work in so many
412. 12:51situations,
413. 12:52>> they do.
414. 12:53>> So, everyone listening, we have a
415. 12:54question for you. What's the most common
416. 12:56excuse you use? Is it I'm busy or
417. 12:59something else? Please leave a comment
418. 13:01and tell us.
419. 13:02>> Yes, we'd love to know what excuse do
420. 13:04you use most often?
421. 13:06>> And remember, please like and subscribe
422. 13:07to English Club for more English
423. 13:09learning videos. Thank you for
424. 13:11listening. Thank you everyone. We hope
425. 13:13these phrases help you in your
426. 13:14conversations. Goodbye and have a great
427. 13:16day.