英语口语每天说033

　　33. Refusal¹

　　1. I wish I would, but David is coming this evening.

　　2. I’d like to but my husband wouldn’t like it.

　　3. I’d rather not.

　　4. I’m terribly sorry, I don’t think I can.

　　5. Thank you very much for asking me but I feel rather tired.

　　6. That’s really not necessary.

　　7. That’s very kind of you but I have an appointment Friday evening.

　　8. Sorry I can’t, but thanks anyway.

　　9. Thank you but I won’t be able to come to meet your friend.

　　10. Unfortunately I have to attend a conference² that day.

　　Dialogue 1

　　M: We’re going to the movies. Will you join us?

　　W: I’m very sorry I can’t.

　　M: Why not?

　　W: I’m afraid I have some business to attend to.

　　M: Then would you like to have lunch with us?

　　W: I’d love to but I have to help John with his math problems right now.

　　M: Would you like me to give you a lift?

　　W: No, thanks. His home is not far and I can walk there.

　　M: Come on. It’s no trouble at all.

　　W: Ok, thank you.

　　Dialogue 2

　　W: How have you been?

　　M: Fine, thank you.

　　W: And how’s everyone in your family?

　　M: Very well, thank you. I’m meeting my wife and daughter for lunch at 12:00, would you care to join us?

　　W: I’d love to but I’m afraid I can’t. I’ve already got a lunch engagement³.

　　Dialogue 3

　　M: Why don’t you sit down and relax, darling?

　　W: I don’t want to.

　　M: Well, come and talk to me then.

　　W: Certainly not.

　　M: May I turn on the radio then?

　　W: Turn on the radio? What for?

　　M: So that we can sit down together and listen to some music.

　　W: Listen to some music? And who’ll cook dinner? Will you?

　　M: Ok, I will. But let’s go to a disco⁴ after dinner.

　　W: To a disco? Oh, no. You know I hate pop.

　　Dialogue 4

　　W: Write down your name here in ink.

　　M: But I don’t have a pen with me. May I use a pencil?

　　W: I’m afraid a pencil won’t do. Wait a moment, I’ll find you one.

　　Dialogue 5

　　M: I must be going now.

　　W: Really? Can’t you stay a little longer?

　　M: No, I really must go now. My family are expecting me home soon.

　　W: Be seeing you then.

　　M: See you.

　　Sometimes it’s hard for us to make a refusal. Shall we tell the truth frankly⁵ or express our refusal in a round about way. For example, suppose a friend wants to borrow some money from you, and you say, ‘I could help you but I’m short of cash right now.’ In fact, you’re not short of cash, but your friend is in the habit of forgetting to pay his debts⁶ and you don’t want to hurt his feelings by reminding him of this. Another example, your friend invites you to see a movie that doesn’t interest you, would you tell him, ‘I don’t like it,’ or just say, ‘I’d like to go but I have an important appointment tonight?’

1 refusal   

n.拒绝

参考例句：

• He persisted in his refusal to pay the money.他坚持拒绝付钱。
• Our offer was met with a firm refusal.我们的报价被坚决拒绝。

2 conference   

n.（正式的）会议；讨论

参考例句：

• We're having a conference and we'd like you to sit in.我们将举行一次会议，希望你来旁听。
• The conference will come to a close this afternoon.今天下午会议闭幕。

3 engagement   

n.订婚，婚约，约定，约会

参考例句：

• I can't see you on Monday because I have a previous engagement.星期一我不能见你，因为我有约在先。
• It was my mother's very own engagement ring.这正是我母亲自己的订婚戒指。

4 disco   

n.迪斯科舞厅，迪斯科舞会

参考例句：

• Can you find a disco?你能找到迪斯科舞厅吗？
• Disco was not my scene.我对迪斯科舞不感兴趣。

5 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

6 debts   

债( debt的名词复数 )； 负债情况； 人情债； 情义

参考例句：

• They were behindhand in settling their debts. 他们没有及时还清债务。
• I need to pay off all my debts before I leave the country. 我得在离开该国前偿清所有债务。