Acknowledging & Entering
You are the person being waited for. After someone holds the door, you quickly step in, offering a more immediate or slightly more elaborate 'thank you' upon entering.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
hold on
A polite way to say 'wait a moment' or 'don't close yet', often used when you need someone to pause an action like closing an elevator door.
appreciate
To feel grateful for someone's help or kindness; it's a more formal way to express thanks than just 'thank you'.
no problem
A casual response to 'thank you', meaning it's not a big deal or you're welcome; very common in everyday conversations.
lifesaver
An informal expression for someone who helps you out of a difficult situation, like saving time by holding a door; used to show strong gratitude.
heading to
Means 'going to' or 'on the way to' a place; useful for asking about someone's destination in polite small talk.
floor
A level or story in a building, like the ground floor or third floor; essential for directions in elevators or buildings.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Hold on! It's closing.
This is a quick, urgent request to stop something from happening, like a door closing. 'Hold on' is an imperative for 'wait', and 'it's closing' describes the present continuous action. Use it in situations where you need immediate help to catch something.
Oh, thank you so much! I really appreciate that.
A polite and enthusiastic way to express gratitude. 'Thank you so much' intensifies thanks, and 'I really appreciate that' adds sincerity using the verb 'appreciate' in simple present. Useful after someone does a small favor to make the interaction warmer.
No problem at all. Just made it!
A friendly response to thanks, meaning it's easy and no trouble. 'No problem at all' is idiomatic for 'you're welcome', and 'just made it' uses past tense to describe narrowly succeeding. Great for casual, reassuring replies in daily encounters.
You're a lifesaver. I thought I was going to miss it.
An exaggerated compliment for help that avoids inconvenience. 'You're a lifesaver' is a fixed expression, and 'I thought I was going to miss it' uses past continuous for unrealized expectation with 'going to' for future in the past. Use it to show relief and build rapport.
Glad I could help. Which floor are you heading to?
Shows happiness in assisting and shifts to practical help. 'Glad I could help' uses 'glad' with modal 'could' for ability, and the question uses 'which' for choices and 'heading to' preposition phrase. Ideal for continuing polite conversation in shared spaces like elevators.
The third, please. Thanks again!
A direct request for a specific floor with politeness. 'The third' specifies using ordinal number, 'please' softens the request, and 'thanks again' reinforces gratitude. Commonly used when entering elevators to ask for button pressing.