09 - The warehouse
Language for checking information
Anna's checking up on some orders today. As a result of some embarrassing mistakes in deliveries, Tip Top Trading's big boss in America has ordered a re-check of every order this month. Let's hear how she checks on things in the warehouse.
Intermediate · 160831 · 2016-08-31
Anna's checking up on some orders today. As a result of some embarrassing mistakes in deliveries, Tip Top Trading's big boss in America has ordered a re-check of every order this month. Let's hear how she checks on things in the warehouse. Language for checking information This episode explores language for checking information.
1. I just want to make sure that...
BBC UK: I just want to make sure that...
2. Could you possibly clarify...
BBC UK: Could you possibly clarify...
3. I just want to check...
BBC UK: I just want to check...
4. Just to be absolutely clear...
BBC UK: Just to be absolutely clear...
5. One thing I wasn't sure of was...
BBC UK: One thing I wasn't sure of was...
1. Narrator
Welcome back! This is what's happening today: as a result of some embarrassing mistakes in deliveries, Tip Top Trading's big boss in America has ordered a re-check of every order this month. So, Paul is talking to key customers to see if they've got what they needed:
BBC UK: Welcome back! This is what's happening today: as a result of some embarrassing mistakes in deliveries, Tip Top Trading's big boss in America has ordered a re-check of every order this month. So, Paul is talking to key customers to see if they've got what they needed:
2. Paul
I just want to check you're happy with the grapes?
BBC UK: I just want to check you're happy with the grapes?
3. Narrator
Tom, whom we all know was responsible for the disaster, is phoning his clients to make sure he has the correct information about what they want:
BBC UK: Tom, whom we all know was responsible for the disaster, is phoning his clients to make sure he has the correct information about what they want:
4. Tom
Ya, yah, I just want to make absolutely sure we get the order right for you and have the correct number of fruit...
BBC UK: Ya, yah, I just want to make absolutely sure we get the order right for you and have the correct number of fruit...
5. Narrator
Denise is, well, talking on the phone to a friend.
BBC UK: Denise is, well, talking on the phone to a friend.
6. Denise
Brown shoes don't look right on him! He's not a brown shoe sort of person...
BBC UK: Brown shoes don't look right on him! He's not a brown shoe sort of person...
7. Narrator
Anna has to go down to the warehouse, where the products are prepared for delivery.
BBC UK: Anna has to go down to the warehouse, where the products are prepared for delivery.
8. Anna
I have to speak to Mr. Ingle. Apparently he's not very friendly! He might not like me asking lots of questions!
BBC UK: I have to speak to Mr Ingle. Apparently he's not very friendly! He might not like me asking lots of questions!
9. Narrator
Well, be polite, and start your sentences with things like: I just want to make sure that... Could you possibly clarify... I just want to check... Just to be absolutely clear... One thing I wasn't sure of was... Good luck!
BBC UK: Well, be polite, and start your sentences with things like: I just want to make sure that... Could you possibly clarify... I just want to check... Just to be absolutely clear... One thing I wasn't sure of was... Good luck!
10. Anna
Mr. Ingle, I don't think we've met yet, I'm Anna.
BBC UK: Mr Ingle, I don't think we've met yet, I'm Anna.
11. Ingle
Hello. Oi! What are you doing with those boxes? I told you to put them in storage. Anna, is it?
BBC UK: Hello. Oi! What are you doing with those boxes? I told you to put them in storage. Anna, is it?
12. Anna
Yes, sorry to bother you, I just want to check something. We've had a few problems with orders....
BBC UK: Yes, sorry to bother you, I just want to check something. We've had a few problems with orders….
13. Ingle
Well, that's not my fault. I do exactly what I'm asked to do. (To workers) No, not there, in storage!
BBC UK: Well, that's not my fault. I do exactly what I'm asked to do. (To workers) No, not there, in storage!
14. Anna
Oh, well, I just want to make sure that....
BBC UK: Oh, well, I just want to make sure that….
15. Ingle
Thirty years I've been doing this job, and I've never made a mistake.
BBC UK: Thirty years I've been doing this job, and I've never made a mistake.
16. Anna
Of course, but because we've had problems, we need to make absolutely sure that all deliveries are correct.
BBC UK: Of course, but because we've had problems, we need to make absolutely sure that all deliveries are correct.
17. Ingle
Humph.
BBC UK: Humph.
18. Anna
Could you possibly clarify what went out in today's delivery to Mr. Berry of, er, Bluetree Enterprises?
BBC UK: Could you possibly clarify what went out in today's delivery to Mr Berry of, er, Bluetree Enterprises?
19. Ingle
500 redcurrants.
BBC UK: 500 redcurrants.
20. Anna
Right. That's fine.
BBC UK: Right. That's fine.
21. Narrator
Well done Anna, this is going very well. Remember that other phrase - "I just want to check..."
BBC UK: Well done Anna, this is going very well. Remember that other phrase – "I just want to check…"
22. Anna
Okay. Now, I just want to check what was sent to Cocoline Limited - it should have been fifteen mangos...
BBC UK: OK. Now, I just want to check what was sent to Cocoline Limited – it should have been fifteen mangos...
23. Ingle
Yeah. That's right.
BBC UK: Yeah. That's right.
24. Anna
Great, and just to be absolutely clear, you sent the soft mangos, not the plastic ones?
BBC UK: Great, and just to be absolutely clear, you sent the soft mangos, not the plastic ones?
25. Ingle
Yes, just like I was told to.
BBC UK: Yes, just like I was told to.
26. Anna
Good. One thing I wasn't sure of was whether we had enough yellow bananas in stock - I know there are some purple ones, but...
BBC UK: Good. One thing I wasn't sure of was whether we had enough yellow bananas in stock – I know there are some purple ones, but...
27. Ingle
Yeah well, we do need more yellow bananas.
BBC UK: Yeah well, we do need more yellow bananas.
28. Anna
Okay, I'll just write that down. Thank you Mr. Ingle. By the way, I like your overalls!
BBC UK: Okay, I'll just write that down. Thank you Mr Ingle. By the way, I like your overalls!
29. Ingle
Oh thanks.
BBC UK: Oh thanks.
30. Narrator
Well he was a bit unfriendly, but Anna got what she needed. Here are the phrases she used: I just want to make sure that... Could you possibly clarify... I just want to check... Just to be absolutely clear... One thing I wasn't sure of was... Well, everything in the warehouse seems to be okay. Back in the office, Tom is having less luck.
BBC UK: Well he was a bit unfriendly, but Anna got what she needed. Here are the phrases she used: I just want to make sure that... Could you possibly clarify... I just want to check... Just to be absolutely clear... One thing I wasn't sure of was... Well, everything in the warehouse seems to be okay. Back in the office, Tom is having less luck.
31. Tom
(on the phone) Really? Here it says 5,000 not five... oh...
BBC UK: (on the phone) Really? Here it says 5,000 not five... oh...
32. Narrator
It's going to be a long day for him! Until next time. Bye!
BBC UK: It's going to be a long day for him! Until next time. Bye!
Question
What kind of fruit was sent out to Mr. Berry of Bluetree Enterprise?
Answer
Redcurrants.