GIVING COMPLIMENT

v      Purpose:
Compliments express approval and are aimed at showing that you like some aspect of the other person’s appearance, belonging or work. It is also to appreciate other people, but overuse of compliments might seem insincere.
v      Whom to Compliment:
Anyone you have occasion to talk with (friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers)
v      What to Compliment

• Notice something new about the person’s appearance: new car, new haircut, a piece of jewellery, etc
• On a person of his or her general appearance: ‘You look good today’
• When visiting someone’s house for the first time: ‘What a beautiful house you have.’
• When hosts prepare a meal for you: ‘The meal was delicious’.

v      How to Compliment: (graded from formal to informal)

COMPLIMENT	RESPONSE	RETURNING COMPLIMENT
I would like compliment you on … I think your (hair) is very nice. I just love your (dress). The (chicken) is very delicious. I really like your (skirt). This (cheese) is super. That’s not a bad (bike) you’ve got. That’s neat. That’s nice. That’s not bad. Terrific. Pretty good. OK! All right.	Thank you. It’s nice of you to say so. Thank you but really isn’t anything special. Thank you. Yours is even nicer. I’m glad you like it. Thank you. Thank you.	(You inspired me). It’s nice to hear that from someone with your experience. Yours is nice, too. (It’s enough to say ‘Thank you” to a compliment. No further reply is required)

LET’S PRACTICE
TASK 1

Complete the dialogue with the correct phrases you have learnt.
Look at the example:
Ann         : that’s a great sweater.
Rose      : Why, thank you. I just bought it yesterday.
Situation 1
Mary       : Hi, Joe. Is that a new …?
Joe         : …………………………………….
Mary       : …………………………………….
Joe         : …………………………………….
Situation 2
Gee        : Well, thank you for the …
Lee         : ………………………………
Gee        : Yes, I really ……………………
Lee         : ………………………………….
Situation 3
Zack       : …………………………………….
Bob         : Oh thanks. I just lost five pounds.
Zack       : ………………………………………
Bob         : …………………………………….
Situation 4
Mr. Tweed            : Good morning, Jones.
Jones                     : ……………………………
Mr. Tweed            : ……………………………..
Jones                     : Well, thank you, Mr. Tweed. But I was just doing my job.
Mr. Tweed            : Yes, and we’re proud of you, Jones.
Jones                     : …………………………………………

TASK 2

Work with your partner to practice mini role plays on thanking people. Discuss the situation given. You may use the useful expressions if you want to, or create your own. When you are ready, perform in front of the class.
Situation 1
Jane works in an office where Robert is the supervisor. Robert has invited everyone from the office to a cocktail party one evening. There Jane talks with Nancy, Robert’s spouse.

NANCY	JANE
1)       Greets Robert 2)       Accepts compliment, returns compliment 3)       Offers food 4)       Refuses compliment, gives pre-closing 5)       Tells Robert to have a good time	Greets Nancy, compliments Nancy on clothing Accepts compliment Accepts, compliment Nancy on the food Replies to pre-closing Agrees to

Situation 2
Vanessa and Pam are good friends from school. Vanessa sees Pam on a new motorcycle and begins to talk with Pam.

VANESSA	PAM
a)       Greets Pam b)       Compliments Pam on new motorcycle c)       Asks to try motorcycle d)       Expresses thanks or expresses disappointment	a)       Returns greeting b)       Accepts compliment, tells when motorcycle was bought c)       Agrees or refuses and gives reason

CONGRATULATING

Congratulating	Responding to congratulations
I’d be the first to congratulate you on. I’d like to congratulate you on … Please accept my warmest congratulations. May I congratulate you on … I must congratulate you. It was great to hear about … Congratulations. Congratulations on … Well done Nice one. Good. Fantastic!	It’s very good of you to say so. How nice of you to say so. Thank you very much for saying so. I’m glad you think so. Oh, it’s nothing special actually. Oh, I have a lot to learn yet. Thank you. Oh, not really. Oh, nothing to it, actually. Oh, thanks.