Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (101 page)

(I'd) better hit the road
.
Go to (It's) time to hit the road.

I'd like some feedback on
something.
AND
I'd like some input about
something
.
I would like to get some advice or information about something. (A slight misunderstanding of the meanings of
feedback
and
input
.)
I've been thinking about going to Guatemala, and I'd like some feedback on that country
.
Can somebody give me some input about the current price of gold?

I'd like some input about
something
.
Go to I'd like some feedback on something.

I'd like (to have) a word with you
.
AND
Could I have a word with you?
I need to speak to you briefly in private. (The alternate entry is also used with
can
or
may
in place of
could
.)
B
OB
: Can I have a word with you? S
ALLY
: Sure. I'll be with you in a minute
.
S
ALLY
: Tom? T
OM
: Yes? S
ALLY
: I'd like to have a word with you. T
OM
: Okay. What's it about?

I'd like to speak to
someone
, please
.
the standard way of requesting to speak with a specific person on the telephone or in an office.
S
UE
(answering the phone): Hello? B
ILL
: Hello, this is Bill Franklin. I'd like to speak to Mary Gray. S
UE
: I'll see if she's in
.
“I'd like to speak to Tom,” said the voice at the other end of the line.

if I ever saw one
if I have identified it or someone correctly. (Used to give emphasis to an assertion. Usually used in reference to people.)
She's a natural-born leader if I ever saw one
.
Tom's gonna wreck this company. He's a selfish tyrant if I ever saw one.

if I might ask
if you will permit me to ask without taking offense.
How old are you, if I might ask?
If I might ask, how long have you lived here?

if I were you
an expression introducing or following a piece of advice.
J
OHN
: If I were you, I'd get rid of that old car. A
LICE
: Gee, I was just getting to like it
.
H
ENRY
: I'd keep my thoughts to myself, if I were you. B
OB
: I guess I should be careful about what I say.