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 (47 votes)

Hello comrade, i would like to tell is that it's a comma not a full stop. I actually thought of that first and got it wrong as well...

hope this helps

Submitted by Yamen.G on Fri, 27/05/2022 - 18:15

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Thanks for letting us know.

Submitted by Abrarhussain on Wed, 02/03/2022 - 23:25

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The last time I helped my friend with a problem at work was last Thursday in February 2022.

Submitted by LamVanPhuong on Wed, 27/10/2021 - 13:08

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it's been a long time.at that time i am employee for a convenient store in campus of my university, on that day when i received goods for the store because i was too tired so i wrote number of items. The next morning i met and discussed that problem with HR i was so happy because the problem wasn't not too serious.

Submitted by M19 on Sun, 29/08/2021 - 12:21

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Recently, a work colleague became sick and wasn't able to finish a project plan that was due for submission. I had to step in and ensure that it was handed in time. It wasn't much of an issue for me as I had some past experience and skills on project development.

Submitted by MikhailZatopliaev on Sat, 10/04/2021 - 04:19

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1 hello, Mike 2 Hi Anna 1 Mike, I have a problem, can we talk in private? 2 Of course, what's the matter? 1 I made a mistake. Big mistake. 2 Ok, what's going on here? 1 I lost my key. 2 Oh, don't worry these things happen. I have extra. 1 Really? I am so happy. I feel so much better, that I've got told you. 2 Thank that you let me know.

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 ?