Returning Borrowed Items
You are returning an office item (like a stapler or a specific type of pen) that you borrowed from a colleague earlier.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
stapler
A small office tool used to join papers together with metal staples. In this dialogue, Sarah returns Michael's stapler after borrowing it.
lending
The act of giving something temporarily to someone else. It's the gerund form of 'lend', as in 'Thanks for lending it to me'. Use this when expressing gratitude for borrowing.
come in handy
An idiom meaning something is useful or helpful at the right time. Michael asks if the stapler 'came in handy', which is a common way to check if an item was useful.
bunch
An informal word for a group or lot of things, like 'a bunch of documents'. It's casual and useful for everyday conversations about quantities.
nowhere to be found
Means something cannot be located anywhere. Sarah says her stapler was 'nowhere to be found', a common expression for lost items.
stock up on
To buy or get a lot of something to have enough for future use. Michael asks if Sarah 'stocked up on staples', useful for talking about supplies.
crisis averted
An expression meaning a problem has been avoided just in time. Sarah uses it humorously after fixing her stapler issue; it's common in casual office talk.
little things
Refers to small matters or details that can be important. Michael says 'Sometimes it's the little things', a way to acknowledge minor helps in daily life.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Hey Michael, here's your stapler back. Thanks for lending it to me yesterday!
This is a polite way to return a borrowed item while expressing thanks. It uses 'here's ... back' for handing something over and past tense 'lending' for the action. Useful for office interactions when returning tools.
Oh, thanks Sarah! No problem at all. Did it come in handy?
A friendly response to thanks, with 'No problem at all' meaning it's not an issue. The question 'Did it come in handy?' checks usefulness idiomatically. Great for casual colleague chats.
Absolutely! I had a bunch of documents to staple together, and mine was just nowhere to be found.
Starts with 'Absolutely!' for strong agreement. Explains the situation using informal 'bunch of' and idiom 'nowhere to be found'. This pattern helps describe why you needed to borrow something.
You saved me a trip to the supply closet.
Means the help prevented extra effort, like going to get supplies. 'Saved me a trip' is a common phrasal expression for avoiding inconvenience. Use it to show appreciation in work settings.
Glad to hear it. Always happy to help out.
Shows positive response with 'Glad to hear it' and offers future help with 'Always happy to help out'. 'Help out' is a versatile phrasal verb for assisting. Ideal for building good relationships at work.
Crisis averted!
A short, exclamatory phrase meaning danger or problem avoided. Used here lightly for a small issue. It's informal and fun, perfect for ending a story about solving a minor problem.
Sometimes it's the little things, right?
Agrees on the importance of small helps, ending with 'right?' for seeking agreement. This tag question makes conversation interactive. Useful for wrapping up polite exchanges.