Quick Pen Borrow
You realize you need a pen urgently for a quick note and ask a nearby colleague if you can borrow one for a moment.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
borrow
To borrow means to take something from someone temporarily and return it later. It's useful when asking for office supplies like a pen.
quickly
Quickly is an adverb meaning very fast or in a short time. Use it to show urgency, like needing something right away in a busy office.
jot down
Jot down means to write something quickly and briefly, often notes. It's practical for remembering ideas without writing a lot.
thanks so much
Thanks so much is a polite way to express strong gratitude. It's common in casual conversations to show appreciation after someone helps you.
no problem
No problem is a casual response meaning 'it's okay' or 'you're welcome.' Use it to reply positively when someone thanks you for a small favor.
hand back
Hand back means to return something to the person who gave it to you. It's useful when agreeing to give an item back after using it.
will do
Will do is a short way to say 'I will do it' or 'understood.' It's informal and shows agreement in everyday office talks.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Hey Michael, do you happen to have a pen I could borrow really quickly?
This sentence is a polite way to ask to borrow something urgently. 'Do you happen to have' is a soft way to ask without assuming. Use it in offices to request items without sounding demanding. The grammar uses a question with 'could' for politeness.
Sure, Emily. Here, take this one. Just need it for a quick note?
This is a friendly agreement to lend something, with a question to confirm the need. 'Sure' means yes casually, and 'take this one' offers the item directly. It's useful for responding to borrow requests and clarifying purpose.
Yeah, exactly! Just need to jot something down before I forget. Thanks so much!
This confirms and explains the need briefly, then thanks the helper. 'Yeah, exactly' agrees strongly, and 'jot something down' means quick writing. Use this to respond positively and show thanks in quick interactions.
No problem at all. Just hand it back when you're done.
This reassures the borrower and sets a simple condition for return. 'No problem at all' is emphatic for 'you're welcome,' and 'when you're done' uses future time clause. It's practical for casual lending in team settings.
Will do! I'll be quick.
This agrees to the condition and promises speed. 'Will do' is a contraction for future agreement, and 'I'll be quick' uses future 'be' for assurance. Use it to acknowledge and commit in short conversations.