Returning a Borrowed Item
You have finished using an item you borrowed from your roommate and are now returning it, expressing thanks and ensuring it's in good condition.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
handy
Means useful or convenient in a situation. In the dialogue, 'came in handy' means it was helpful when needed. Use it to describe something that works well at the right time.
ton
In 'thanks a ton', it means 'a lot' or 'very much'. It's an informal way to show strong gratitude, like saying 'thank you so much'. Common in casual conversations.
wipe down
Means to clean a surface by wiping it with a cloth. In the dialogue, it's about cleaning the charger after use. Useful for talking about keeping things clean.
appreciate
Means to be grateful for something or to value it. In the dialogue, 'appreciate you taking care of it' shows thanks for good care. Use it to express thanks politely.
neatly
Means in a tidy or organized way. In the dialogue, 'put the cable back neatly' means arranging it carefully. Good for describing careful handling of items.
cable
A cord or wire used to connect devices, like for charging. In the dialogue, it's the cord for the charger. Common in tech and daily life talks.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Thanks a ton for letting me borrow it!
This is a casual way to thank someone for lending an item. 'Thanks a ton' is an idiom for strong thanks, and 'letting me borrow' uses the gerund after 'for'. Useful for showing gratitude when returning something borrowed.
No problem at all!
A polite, casual response to thanks, meaning it's not a bother. 'At all' adds emphasis to make it sound even more reassuring. Great for everyday conversations to show you're happy to help.
Glad it came in handy.
Expresses happiness that something was useful. 'Came in handy' is an idiom for being helpful at the right time. Use this when responding to thanks for borrowing, to keep the talk positive.
It worked perfectly!
Describes something functioning very well without issues. Simple past tense here. Useful for giving feedback on borrowed items, helping build positive interactions.
It really saved me.
Means it helped a lot in a difficult situation. 'Really' adds emphasis. This sentence shows appreciation and is common when something prevents a problem, like a dead phone.
I made sure to wipe it down and put the cable back neatly.
'Made sure to' means took care to do something properly. This shows responsibility when returning items. Useful for demonstrating politeness and care in shared living.
Looks good as new.
Means it appears undamaged and like when first bought. Informal idiom for condition. Use it to confirm an item is in good shape, building trust with roommates.
Appreciate you taking care of it.
A polite way to thank for good maintenance. 'Taking care of' is a gerund phrase. This sentence reciprocates kindness and is practical for ending borrowing conversations nicely.