Collaborative Conflict - Who Does What?
During a step that requires two people, there's a misunderstanding or disagreement about how to hold a piece, who should screw what, or the proper technique, leading to minor frustrations or a momentary breakdown in teamwork.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
attach
To join or fasten one part to another, like connecting a panel in furniture assembly. Useful when giving instructions for building or fixing things.
steady
Firm and not moving or shaking. In teamwork, you might say 'hold it steady' to keep something stable while working together.
line up
To align things in a straight line, often used for matching holes or parts. Practical for DIY tasks like assembling furniture.
tilt
To lean or slope to one side. In this context, it means the piece might fall over if not held properly; common in physical tasks.
wobbly
Unsteady or shaking, like something that's not secure. Useful to describe unstable objects during assembly or building.
lift
To raise something up. In collaboration, it's a simple command like 'lift your side' to adjust position while working.
screw in
To turn a screw clockwise to tighten it into place. Essential vocabulary for tools and assembly instructions.
my bad
Informal slang for 'my mistake' or 'I was wrong.' Used to apologize casually in everyday conversations, especially in teamwork.
teamwork
Working together cooperatively to achieve a goal. Highlights collaboration, perfect for situations involving partners or groups.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Can you hold this end steady while I try to line up the holes?
This is a polite request for help using 'can you' for suggestions. Useful in teamwork to ask someone to assist with a specific action; note the use of 'while' to show simultaneous actions.
Just tell me if you need me to push it up or down a bit.
Offers flexibility in helping with 'if you need me to' and alternatives like 'up or down.' Great for collaborative tasks; 'a bit' softens the action to mean 'slightly.'
More from the bottom, so it doesn't tilt.
Gives correction with 'more from' for position and 'so' for reason (purpose clause). Practical for adjusting during physical work; teaches cause-effect in instructions.
It feels a bit wobbly.
Describes a sensation using 'feels' in present tense. Useful to report problems in real-time during assembly; 'a bit' means 'slightly' to avoid sounding too negative.
Maybe if you lift your side just a tiny bit?
Suggests a small adjustment with 'maybe if' for possibility and 'just a tiny bit' for minimal change. Ideal for gentle suggestions in teamwork; rising intonation for questions.
Oh, you said push earlier!
Points out a contradiction using 'oh' for realization and 'earlier' for past time. Helpful in resolving misunderstandings; exclamatory tone shows surprise.
My bad, sorry! Yes, that's it! Perfect.
Apologizes casually with 'my bad' and confirms success with short affirmations like 'that's it' and 'perfect.' Common in informal English for quick error correction and praise.
See, teamwork! Even if we have a little moment of confusion.
Celebrates cooperation with 'see' to point out evidence and 'even if' for concession (despite something). Useful to end positively; teaches handling minor conflicts in groups.