Phone Rings in Library
Your phone unexpectedly rings loudly in a quiet library, and you quickly need to silence it and apologize to those nearby.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
apologies
A polite way to say 'sorry' for something you did wrong. Use it in formal or quick apologies, like 'My apologies for the noise.'
sorry
An expression of regret or apology. It's very common in English and can be used casually, like 'I'm sorry' for small mistakes.
no worries
A casual phrase meaning 'it's okay' or 'don't worry about it.' Use it to reassure someone when they apologize for something minor.
silent
Meaning making no sound. In phone context, 'on silent' means the phone won't ring or vibrate loudly. Useful for quiet places like libraries.
my bad
Slang for admitting your own mistake casually. It's informal and common among friends, like 'I forgot; my bad.'
disturb
To interrupt or bother someone. Use it when apologizing for noise, like 'Sorry to disturb you.'
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Oh, my apologies! So sorry about that.
This is a quick, polite apology for an unexpected mistake like a phone ringing. 'My apologies' is formal, and 'so sorry about that' adds emphasis. Use it immediately after the error in quiet places to show regret.
No worries.
A simple, reassuring response to an apology. It's casual and means everything is fine. Use it to dismiss small inconveniences politely without making the other person feel bad.
Thought I had it on silent. My bad.
This admits a mistake while explaining briefly. 'Thought I had it on silent' uses past tense for assumption, and 'my bad' is slang for fault. Useful for casual self-explanation in everyday errors.
It happens.
A comforting way to say mistakes are normal. It's a common idiom meaning 'that's life' or 'don't worry.' Use it to respond to apologies and make the situation less awkward.
Really sorry to disturb you.
Emphasizes sincere apology for interrupting. 'Really sorry' intensifies regret, and 'to disturb' specifies the action. Use it in polite situations like public places to show consideration.
Don't worry about it.
Assures someone not to feel guilty. It's imperative form ('don't worry') for advice. Very practical for forgiving minor issues quickly and keeping interactions positive.