[title]Family quotes[/title] [description]Welcome to our family quotes section! Here you'll find some of the funniest (and wisest) quotes on the subject of family life![/description]
Learn English and meet people on the world’s largest EFL social network

We have partnered with TradePub to bring you free industry magazines and resources - no coupons or credit cards required!

Visit: englishforums.tradepub.com


Share this topic:
This question is Not Answered
Latest post Fri, Jan 23 2009 8:34 AM by Avangi. 2 replies.
Suggest an answer | | |
T509  +  652332 Fri, 23 Jan 09 07:32 AM
Hi everyone.
Imagine.
You come across a friend of yours in a place.
You didn't know he/she would come to the place.
So you are surprised.
How will you say to him/her?

"I didn't expect to see you here."

seems to me the most natural.

But is the title line more natural for you native speakers?


Joined on Wed, Jun 28 2006
Tokyo
Junior Member 86
Ratiatum  +  652371 Fri, 23 Jan 09 08:28 AM
Both expressions are natural and correct.

"I didn't expect to see you here" is a neutral expression.

"This is the last place I'd have expected to see you" is much more emphatic, expressing great surprise.
Joined on Tue, Dec 9 2008
New Member 24
Avangi  +  652381 Fri, 23 Jan 09 08:34 AM
Opening lines like this are always subject to interpretation.  Their appropriateness, and how they might be taken, will depend on many factors, such as, is this a type of place that's consistent with this person's reputation?  How well do you know this person?  What's the history of your relationship?  How long since you last saw this person?  Are you a shy person who has difficulty in making small talk?  Is the person likely to be embarrassed at being seen here by you?  etc. etc.

Both your expressions are okay, and both have the potential for problems under certain circumstances.

If you're uncertain of the appropriateness, then best not to be a smart-ass.  Express your pleasure and happiness at seeing this person, and wait for a reaction before possibly putting them on the spot.  They may be equally surprised to see you, and may or may not share your happiness. 

My point is, if you know the person well enough to make a personal remark which might embarrass them, then you would probably not be surprised to see them in that location.

If you know the person really really well, then you'll know what to say.  Otherwise, play it cool.  Take an incremental approach.
Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007
Veteran Member 8,211
". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier
© MediaCet Ltd. 2009, v5.0.3616.28671. All content posted by our users is a contribution to the public domain, this does not include imported usenet posts.*
For web related enquires please contact us on webmaster@mediacet.com, status updates are available at status.mediacet.com.
*Usenet post removal: Use 'X-No-Archive'. You may not have understood that your posts would end up in the public domain. Please send proof of the poster's email, we will remove immediately.