A telephone call

JOHN : Hi, Alice, It's John. How are you?

ALICE:  Oh, hi john! I was just thinking about you?

JOHN : That's nice. I was wondering if you'd like to go to a move tonight.

ALICE : Sure, I'd love too! What's playing?

JOHN : I was thinking about that new comedy Light Out. What do you think?

ALICE : Sound great!

JOHN : OK. I'll pick you up around 7:30. The movie start at 8:00

ALICE :See you then. Bye.

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Language notes

• Hi, Alice, It's John : Hi, ___, It's ___ is a casual and friendly way to say hello on the phone. Although "it's" means "It is" it is used to mean "I am" here.


• Oh, hi John! Notice the rising intonation here. Alice is excited to here from John and is very pleased that he called her.


• I was wondering if you'd like to... This is polite and indirect way of asking "Do you want to...? " John is nervous and does not want to appear to direct or bold. Notice how the question goes up at the end, which shows that he is not overly confident.


• Sure! I'd love to means "Yes, I would love to." Notice that Alice is very enthusiastic and friendly. She wants John to feel comfortable about asking her our on a date.


• I was thinking about.. / What do you think? Again, John does not want to appear too bold. He wants to give Alice a chance to suggest a movie.


• Sound great is an informal way of saying. "That is a good plan."


• I'll pick you up is an informal way of saying "I'll come to your house so that we can go together."