Getting Someone's Attention

When you want to start a conversation, you need to first get the other person's attention.  There are many ways to do that.  Below are some common expressions that you can use.


Starting an Informal Conversation

Listen (to this).

Listen up.

Get a load of this.

Get this.

Guess what?

Guess what I just found out.

Have you heard the latest?

Did you hear the news?

Starting a More Formal Conversation

Can I talk to you?

Do you have a minute?

Let's sit down and talk.

May I have a word with you? 

 

Examples:

 

Dialog 1:  (between 2 friends)

Ann:  Guess what?   

Jim:  What?

Ann:  I'm getting married next month.

Jim:  Congratulations!  Who's the lucky guy?

 

Dialog 2:  (between 2 coworkers)

Ken:  Hey, did you hear the news?

Joe:  No.  What news?

Ken: Tom has got the sack.  (*to get the sack = to get fired)

 

Dialog 3:  (between a boss and his employee)

Boss:  Jim, do you have a minute?

Jim:    Yes.

Boss:  Let's sit down and talk.

Jim:   Sure.

 

Dialog 4:  (between a boss and his employee)

Jim:    Mr. Tanaka.  Do you have a minute?

Boss: Yes.

Jim:   May I have a word with you?

Boss: Sure.  Come in, sit down.