ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: what's the correct answer?

Grammar Geek — Fri, 23 May 2008 03:21:22 GMT

An altnerative to thinking that the man is lying is that this is (perhaps yet more) proof at the incompetance of the secretary. But even so, you'd expect a bit more, like "I told her if she screwed up one more message, she was fired. She new she was on thin ice. I can't believe what you're telling me! You'd think she would have found me at once!"

Remember, tests ask for the BEST answer, not the ONLY answer. If you have to create an elaborate scenario (like I did, or infer that she thinks the man is lying) then it's probably not the best choice.

Re: what's the correct answer?

Clive — Fri, 23 May 2008 02:50:33 GMT

Hi,

Yesterday I asked your secretary to tell you to call me.

As an aside to your discussion, note that this use of 'tell' implies that the person speaking has some authority over the person who is supposed to call. Even in that case, it's not the most polite term to use.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: what's the correct answer?

RayH — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:22:25 GMT

Bn77
why (c) can't be the right answer?

It's unnecessarily abrupt (rude, even) and it implies that M is lying to W.
So, if that is W's intent then, and only then, could (c) be the correct answer.

what's the correct answer?

Bn77 — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:51:16 GMT

M:Didn't you get my message?

W: What messsage?

M: Yesterday I asked your secretary to tell you to call me.

W: __

(a) Sorry, I just got back from a business trip.

(b) I knew you would be upset like that.

(d) It hasn't occurred to me.

why (c) can't be the right answer?