Dealing with a problem

In this video, Vanya goes to Yuna with a problem. Listen to the language they use for dealing with a problem and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say

Do you know what to say when you need to deal with a problem? Listen out for useful language for dealing with a problem. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Vanya: Yuna!

Yuna: Oh, morning!

Vanya: I've got a bit of a problem. 

Yuna: What's wrong?

Vanya: Can we talk in private?

Yuna: Of course.

Yuna: Right, so, what's the matter? 

Vanya: Well, I've made a mistake. A big mistake.

Yuna: OK. I'm sure we can work it out.

Vanya: It was such a silly thing to do! 

Yuna: I'm getting worried now. What's going on here? 

Vanya: OK. It was late last night and I was tired. I wasn't concentrating and I accidentally used my company credit card instead of my own to buy something! 

Yuna: Don't worry, these things happen. There's a procedure to deal with this. How much did you spend? 

Vanya: It was quite expensive.

Yuna: How expensive?

Vanya: It was very expensive.

Yuna: Vanya, how expensive?

Vanya: £3,782 … and 56 pence.

Yuna: What? You spent £3,782?! 

Vanya: … and 56 pence. 

Yuna: What was it? Vanya?

Vanya: Just a weekend break! I just like a really nice hotel!

Yuna: OK, I see. Thanks for letting me know.

Vanya: Ah! I feel so much better now I've told you. Please don't tell Noelia.

Yuna: Oh, I'm definitely going to tell her!

Noelia: Hi!

Vanya: Hi!

 

Ana: Hello again! Wow, that's a lot of money for a weekend break. So, did you notice the useful phrases used for dealing with a problem? Listen to me and then repeat. 

 

What's wrong?

I've got a bit of a problem.

Could we talk in private?

What's the matter?

I've made a mistake.

I'm sure we can work it out.

Don't worry, these things happen.

Thanks for letting me know.

I feel so much better now I've told you.


Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you need to deal with a problem in English. Bye for now!

Discussion

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Language level

Average: 4.4 (29 votes)

Submitted by hany947b on Thu, 25/03/2021 - 00:20

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honestly, 2 days ago i've helped one of my colleagues in her problen, she had a problem with her bank account, and she always do have such these problems ,eventually i did my best ,but eventually, i had to guide her to another colleague who is more perfect than me.

Submitted by Rano on Thu, 11/03/2021 - 12:49

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Hello lam new here. some problem soluvie myself.

Submitted by Berry Phyu on Thu, 04/03/2021 - 06:54

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Nice lesson. I've learned new vocabulary.

Submitted by guitardude on Wed, 03/03/2021 - 11:56

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hello. as I know ''a bit of'' is being used for uncoubtale, but in the sentence ''I've got a bit of a problem'' it is used with ''a problem'' which is countable I think because of ''a'' . Why there is such a difference in usage ? Could you explain the reason ?

Hi guitardude,

If you're talking about foods, it's true that a bit of is usually used with uncountable nouns (e.g. a bit of cake / a bit of carrot). But actually, it can be used with countable nouns too, especially outside the area of food. Here are some more examples:

  • The meeting was a bit of a waste of time.
  • My presentation went wrong. It was a bit of a nightmare.
  • I'm a bit of a perfectionist.
  • The news was a bit of a shock.

I hope that helps :)

Jonathan

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by German on Tue, 09/02/2021 - 01:06

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The last time that I helped to someone with a problem in the work was when a workmate had to sent a report and he was delayed. I helped him with some things about the report and he achived to send the report in time

Submitted by Mustafa Ghreiri on Fri, 15/01/2021 - 17:32

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Hi, I'm new here! I'm not that good at English, so trying to improve, by finding foreign friends. Any one interested in English conversation, I am too, so we can add each other on Skype: (************) Thanks.
Profile picture for user Jonathan R

Submitted by Jonathan R on Sat, 16/01/2021 - 06:53

In reply to by Mustafa Ghreiri

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Hi Mustafa and welcome to LearnEnglish :)

Finding friends to practise with is a great idea. Sorry, sharing personal details is not allowed on this site by the House rules - but you can interact with other users by writing comments and replies.

Best wishes,

Jonathan

The LearnEnglish Team