#however when speaking aloud in English that can make things confusing grammatically. so I will sometimes go back to Haibara in that case

[sagurus]

I was thinking about the fact that with most DCMK characters I use one distinct name for them, but when it comes to Haibara Ai / Miyano Shiho, I'm all over the place. So I wanted to see how other people most commonly refer to her.

There are definitely more options than just these listed but I didn't want to get too verbose / granular. Please feel free to elaborate in the tags to account for my exclusions.

[englishdinamica]

30+ Golden Phrases That Are Incredibly Useful

1. Thanks so much.

This is a simple sentence you can use to thank someone.

To add detail, say:

Thanks so much + for + [noun] / [-ing verb].

For example:

Thanks so much for the birthday money.

Thanks so much for driving me home.

2. I really appreciate…

You can also use this phrase to thank someone. For example, you might say:

I really appreciate your help.

Or you can combine #1 and #2:

Thanks so much for cooking dinner. I really appreciate it.

Thanks so much. I really appreciate you cooking dinner.

3. Excuse me.

When you need to get through but there’s someone blocking your way, say “Excuse me.”

You can also say this phrase to politely get someone’s attention. For example:

Excuse me sir, you dropped your wallet.

Excuse me, do you know what time it is?

4. I’m sorry.

Use this phrase to apologize, whether for something big or small. Use “for” to give more detail. For example:

I’m sorry for being so late.

I’m sorry for the mess. I wasn’t expecting anyone today.

You can use “really” to show you’re very sorry for something:

I’m really sorry I didn’t invite you to the party.

5. What do you think?

When you want to hear someone’s opinion on a topic, use this question.

I’m not sure if we should paint the room yellow or blue. What do you think?

6. How does that sound?

If you suggest an idea or plan, use this phrase to find out what others think.

We could have dinner at 6, and then go to a movie. How does that sound?

Let’s hire a band to play music, and Brent can photograph the event. How does that sound?

7. That sounds great.

If you like an idea, you can respond to #6 with this phrase. “Great” can be replaced with any synonym, such as “awesome,” “perfect,” “excellent” or “fantastic.”

A: My mom is baking cookies this afternoon. We could go to my house and eat some. How does that sound? B: That sounds fantastic!

8. (Oh) never mind.

Let’s say someone doesn’t understand an idea you’re trying to explain. If you’ve explained it over and over and want to stop, just say “oh, never mind.” You can now talk about something else!

You can also use “never mind” to mean “it doesn’t matter” or “just forget it.” In these situations, say it with a smile and positive tone, though. Otherwise, when you say this phrase slowly with a falling low tone, it can mean you’re bothered or upset.

A: Are you going to the grocery store today? B: No, I’m not. But why—do you need something? A: Oh, never mind. It’s okay, I’ll go tomorrow.

Phrases for Learning English

As an English learner, you’ll need to tell others that English is not your first language. You’ll also need to ask native speakers to repeat phrases and words or to speak slower. The following phrases will be useful for this.

9. I’m learning English.

This simple phrase tells people that English is not your native language. If you’re a total beginner, add “just started” after I: “I just started learning English.”

My name is Sophie and I’m learning English.

10. I don’t understand.

Use this phrase when you don’t understand what someone means.

Sorry, I don’t understand. The U.S. Electoral College seems very confusing!

11. Could you repeat that please?

If you’d like someone to say a word, question or phrase again, use this question. Since “to repeat” means “to say again,” you can also ask, “Could you say that again please?”

We can say “please” either at the end of the question or right after “you,” like this:

Could you please repeat that?

Could you repeat that please?

12. Could you please talk slower?

Native speakers can talk very fast. Fast English is hard to understand! This is an easy way to ask someone to speak more slowly.

Note: This phrase is not grammatically correct. However, it’s used often in everyday (casual) speech. The grammatically correct question would be, “Could you please talk more slowly?”

That’s because “slowly” is an adverb, so it describes verbs (like “talk”). “Slower” is a comparative adjective, which means it should be used to describe nouns (people, places or thing), not verbs. (For example: My car is slower than yours.)

A: You can give us a call any weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at five five five, two five zero eight, extension three three— B: I’m sorry, could you please talk slower?

13. Thank you. That helps a lot.

After someone starts speaking more slowly for you, thank them with this phrase.

You can use it in many other situations, too.

A: Ben, could you please make the font bigger? It’s hard for me to read the words. B: Sure! I’ll change it from size 10 to 16. How’s this? A: Thank you. That helps a lot.

14. What does _____ mean?

When you hear or see a new word, use this phrase to ask what it means.

A: What does “font” mean? B: It’s the style of letters, numbers and punctuation marks when you type. A common font in the USA is Times New Roman.

15. How do you spell that?

English spelling can be tricky, so make sure to learn this question. You could also ask someone, “Could you spell that for me?”

A: My name is Robbertah Handkerchief. B: How do you spell that?

16. What do you mean?

When you understand the words one by one, but not what they mean together, use this question. You can ask it whenever you’re confused about what someone is telling you.

A: The Smiths do have a really nice house, but the grass is always greener on the other side. B: What do you mean? A: I mean that if we had the Smith’s house, we probably wouldn’t be happier. We always think other people have better lives than us, but other people have problems too.

Phrases for Introducing Yourself and Making Friends

Here are some phrases for introducing yourself when you meet new people, and questions to learn more about them.

17. Hi! I’m [Name]. (And you?)

Here’s an informal greeting you can use when you meet new friends. If the person doesn’t tell you their name, you can ask “And you?” or “And what’s your name?”

Hi! I’m Rebecca. And you?

18. Nice to meet you.

After you learn each other’s names, it’s polite to say this phrase.

A: Hi Rebecca, I’m Chad. B: Nice to meet you, Chad. A: Nice to meet you too.

19. Where are you from?

Ask this question to find out which country someone is from. You answer this question with “I’m from ~.”

Can you answer this question in English? Say both the question and answer aloud right now. (Four times, remember?)

A: Nice to meet you, Sergio. So, where are you from? B: I’m from Spain.

20. What do you do?

Most adults ask each other this question when they meet. It means what do you do for a living (what is your job).

I think this question is boring, so I ask other questions. But many people will probably ask you this, so it’s important to know what it means.

A: What do you do, Cathleen? B: I work at the university as a financial specialist.

21. What do you like to do (in your free time)?

Instead of asking for someone’s job title, I prefer to ask what they enjoy doing. The responses (answers) are usually much more interesting!

A: So Cathleen, what do you like to do in your free time? B: I love to read and to garden. I picked two buckets of tomatoes last week!

22. What’s your phone number?

If you want to keep in contact with someone you just met, ask this question to find out their phone number. You can replace “phone number” with “email address” if you want to know their email address.

You might also hear people use the more casual “Can I get your ~?,” as in, “Can I get your phone number?”

It would be great to meet up again sometime. What’s your phone number?

23. Do you have Facebook?

Many people keep in touch (contact) through Facebook. Use this question to find out if someone has a Facebook account. You might also ask, “Are you on Facebook?”

Let’s keep in touch! Do you have Facebook?

Phrases for Work

Finally, here are seven basic phrases you might use at a job.

24. How can I help you?

If you work in customer service, you’ll use this phrase a lot. It’s also a common phrase when answering the phone.

[On the phone]: Hello, this is Rebecca speaking. How can I help you?

25. I’ll be with you in a moment.

When someone wants to see you, use this phrase if you need a minute to finish something first. If a client is waiting at a store, you can also use this phrase to show that their turn is next.

You can replace “moment” with “minute”: “I’ll be with you in (just) a minute.”

Another common phrase for this situation is “I’ll be right with you.”

Good morning! I’ll be with you in a moment.

26. What time is our meeting?

You can use this question’s structure to ask the time of any event: “What time is [event]?”

If you want to ask about a meeting on a certain day, add “on [day].” For example, “What time is our meeting on Thursday?”

What time is our meeting on Wednesday?

27. Please call me (back) at…

When you want someone to call you or to call you back (to return your call), use this phrase to give your phone number.

Hi, this is Cathleen from the financial office. I’m wondering if you found those missing receipts. Please call me back at 555-5555. Thanks!

28. (Oh really?) Actually, I thought…

When you disagree with someone, “Actually, I thought…” will make you sound kinder and more polite than saying “No” or “You’re wrong.” This phrase is useful when you have a different idea than someone else.

A: So Sam’s coming in tonight at 8, right? B: Actually, I thought he wasn’t working at all this week. A: Oh, ok. I’ll have to look at the schedule again.

29. Actually, I [verb]…

Just like in #28, you can use “actually, I…” with many different verbs: “heard,” “learned,” “am,” “can,” “can’t,” etc. You should use it for the same situation as above: when you have a different idea than someone else.

A: Did you finish the reports? B: Actually, I am running a bit behind, but they’ll be done by noon!

C: When you type, always put two spaces between sentences. D: Actually, I learned to put a single space between sentences.

30. I’m (just) about to [verb]…

When you’re going to start something very soon, you’re “just about to” do something.

I’m just about to send those faxes.

I’m about to go and pick up some coffee. Do you want anything?

These 30 phrases are just the beginning. There are many other easy English phrases you can learn as a beginner. When you’re ready, check out these posts for more:

Phrases for beginner conversation

Phrases for being positive and encouraging others

Phrases for restaurants

Phrases for traveling

Happy learning!

[dryslippers]

Still Alive - Chapter 2

Desire and Decorum - Ernest x MC (Kate Harrison)

Warnings: This is kinda a sad story. Major character death. It may be heartbreaking for some people.

Notes: Sorry if there are grammatical or any kinds of mistakes. English is not my native language (☹️) I have changed one of the most hated characters to a good person: Countess Henrietta😁 I know you all hate her, we'll I hate her too, but I always think that she has a soft side and can be a good person. She has an important role in this story. Also, I have used one of the premium scenes in book 1 as a memory. I thought it makes it more real. It hurts when you read something about someone who is dead, and it hurts more when you have seen that in front of your own eyes (even in a mobile game😂)

Words: 2546

@regencylady1810

-----

1 week later

“ I don’t want to, Briar.”

She slammed the door, hard. Then whirled and started to walk to her bed, but instead, she bumped into Briar.

“Oh! How... how did you... It was... fast!”

For the first time since last week, her face showed something other than sadness. She was looking at her wide-eyed.

“Well, I'm a vampire.”

“Vampires do not exist.”

“Yes, they do.”

She was talking, and almost arguing over something stupid. And that made Briar happy. She was becoming the old Kate, her old Kate. Briar was ready to make the best conversation ever.

“Edmund told me some of them live in France. He found out when he was-”

“Edmund?”

Oh shoot, she messed up. She didn't want to tell her now, not when she's going to marry that dog. Yeah, Briar always referred to him as dog. But that's not the point now. Just when she was making Kate talk more than Yes and No, she blurted out his name. And even worse, his first name. Oh, she really messed up.

“Well, we have gotten pretty close you know... ”

“You got close since the moment you met each other. ”

“Oh umm...”

“Is there anything you don't want to tell me?”

“NO! Believe me, we just spent last night together and... and well... we got closer than-”

“You're lying.”

Yes. Yes, she was lying. It was hard to hide the truth from her best friend. She was so happy about it, and wanted to share it with her. But this wasn't the right time and she knew it. Couldn't she close her mouth for just a few days?

“He's my brother and I don't call him Edmund.”

“Well, technically, he’s not your real brother.”

“And he's not your husband either. ”

Briar remained silent. She had screwed up.

“Kate... ” She decided to end it. ” I don’t think I can keep this anymore. The truth is Edm... Mr. Marlcaster asked me to marry him last night and I... I accepted. But we are going to be wed in 5 or 6 months, not now! I mean, when everything is back to normal...”

Kate looked at her with no emotion in her face. Briar couldn't say if she was happy or sad. Well, of course, she was not so happy. She was going to be the engaged one, and now, everything is vice versa.

“Well, congratulations then.”

Just this. No smile, no hug, nothing. just a cold “congratulations”.

“I, I'm sorry Kate. I didn't want to tell you I-”

“You should have told me sooner. I was sure you two would be engaged and married one day. As sure as I was when...” She couldn't finish the sentence. She was sure they would be engaged in the future, but now they can't. They are in separate worlds, and will never hold, or even see each other again.

“Sorry, Kate. It was hard not to-”

“You can leave now. I'm not going to take a walk outside.”

Briar was confused for a second, but then she remembered why she was there. She didn't want to tell her about her engagement. She wanted to take her out. She wanted her to leave her room and walk outside in the fresh air. She wanted her to forget everything for a few minutes. But, Kate was so stubborn.

“I'm not leaving without you.”

“Briar please-”

“You have locked yourself in your room for a whole week! I doubt you've eaten anything!”

“Then how am I still alive and breathing?!”

Yeah, she was exaggerating. “Alright, you have eaten, but not so much. You used to eat-”

“Why should I eat like before when nothing is like the past?”

“Kate, nothing is like the past, I know. But you are still alive, and you have to live your life. You can't stay in your room forever and refuse to see anyone. Do you know how many times Miss Parsons came to visit you? Or Prince Hamid? And even Mr. Harper. Oh my God, I can't count the times Countess Henrietta begged me to let her in when you were crying or looking at nowhere and thinking about nothing!”

“Countess Henrietta... ”

“Yes! You forgot her! And all your friends! If I wasn't your lady’s maid you didn't want to see me too!”

“It's not like that.”

“YES, IT’S EXACTLY LIKE THAT!”

Briar couldn't control herself anymore. She was angry at her. She didn't know what she was going through, she couldn't even imagine. However, she was right.

“Sorry I yelled it's just, you avoiding everyone is making all of us crazy. ”

“It’s alright .” She took a deep breath and looked at the state’s garden. ”But, Briar, I can't join the group again. Anytime I picture all of us together, he's there too.” Her eyes became wet. Briar didn’t want to make her cry and see her sobbing for the hundredth time in the week. She tried to say something, but she was speechless.

“and you don't know how it feels. I had all these dreams, Briar. Dreams of marrying him, living with him, having my own family. But they are all gone, and they won't come back.”

“I... I am so sorry... I just... I don't know what to say...”

“You need not say anything.”

Briar was waiting for more words, but Kate just stared at her and crossed her arms on her chest.

“Briar? Are you fine? ”

“Yes, yes I'm fine. I ... I didn't want to make anything worse and I came here to help you but I just screwed up and-”

“It’s fine. Maybe you're right. Maybe I need that fresh air.” Kate paused for a second, glanced over the beautiful and spectacular flowers. Then looked back at Briar. “I'll go and take a walk outside, but alone. Just me and the flowers.”

Briar continued to stare at her. Never blinked, even for one second.

“Briar, Are you sure everything is fine? Why are you staring at me like this? Did I murder someone?”

“Oh it’s just... Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You look awful.” She immediately regretted it. “Not awful in a bad way. Awful in a... having black circles under your eyes and pale color on your mouth way. You should change your dress, grey doesn't suit you as much as blue. Or pink. Or yellow. ” She opened the closet door and looked at all of Kate's dresses. “You know, all these colorful dresses are better than those grey or black ones you've been wearing for days.”

“Grey is my favorite color.”

“It may be your favorite color, but it doesn't show your beauty. Just look at this GORGEOUS blue dress! It brings colors to your face if-”

“Stop, Briar. I'm not going to change. And if you excuse me, I want to take a walk in the garden. Alone.”

Then, she left the room and closed the door. Well, slammed the door. even though Kate was not there to see her, Briar muttered something under her breath and rolled her eyes.

But she was happy. Kate left her room after seven days. That was a huge success for Briar.

“Mission accomplished, future Mrs. Marlcaster!”

---

It wasn't so cold, but she was freezing. Her short-sleeved dress wasn't enough to warm her. Or maybe she wasn't so familiar with the weather. She took a deep breath, a breath mixed of the cold air and the scent of all those beautiful blue flowers. She touched them with her fingers, and it reminded her of a special memory.

---

“Perhaps you can tell me more about yourself?”

“Such as?”

“Your family! Is there anyone else apart from you?”

“No.”

Kate glanced at Mr. Sinclaire, smiling.

“You are a man of few words, Mr. Sinclaire.”

“I find idle conversation to be a waste of time.” He looked at Kate, anger in his eyes. “Why remark on such things like family members or the weather? My time is valuable, Miss Harrison.”

Kate was shocked to see him talking like that, but she gathered herself after a few seconds. “Have you ever stopped to consider idle conversation allows you to grow closer with someone? Or are you too afraid of opening up your heart?”

Mr. Sinclaire opened his mouth to say something, but instead he cleared his throat and turned his gaze back to the path. “We should press forward.”

“As I said before, a man of few words.”

He looked at her with a serious gaze. “You give your mind rather freely. Is there not an opinion you would design inappropriate to speak aloud?”

“Sir, why should I curb my tongue and allow others the opportunity to misconstrue my meaning? I'd rather my words to not become so easily twisted. But it would seem you do not share my good opinion.” She smirked.

Mr. Sinclaire stopped and stared at her quizzically.

“What?”

“I honestly don't know what to make of you, Miss Harrison.”

“I hope it's a good thing.”

“Well, I don't know yet. You're clearly different than the other women I have encountered at Edgewater.”

“Let me take a gander. I'm different because of... my handsome looks.”

Mr. Sinclaire looked into Kate's eyes. He was blushing. “I didn't say that...”

“But you thought it! It is written across your face!”

Mr. Sinclaire scowled at her, then returned his focus to the path.

“Why did you agree to the dowager’s request in the first place? You don't seem all that fond of me.”

“Forgive me if it came across that way. But don't presume to know my mind. ”

“So then, enlighten me.”

Mr. Sinclaire stopped, changed his position to look at Kate directly. “I simply thought you were... ” He paused for a moment. “It doesn't matter.” He started to walk again, but Kate made him stop and looked at him squarely in the eyes.

“But this is your opinion of me! I believe I deserve to be informed!”

“Do you inform every person you encounter of your personal impressions of them ?”

“Not every person.” Kate closed the distance between her and Mr. Sinclaire.

“So then indulge me. What do you think of me, Miss Harrison?”

“I find you to be arrogant and vain, but also handsome and alluring.”

A small smile formed around Mr. Sinclaire’s mouth.

“ls that a smile I'm seeing?!”

His face fell, returned to his serious expression.

“No.”

Then, he hastily walked off. He looked back over his shoulder at Kate. “Shall we continue with the tour or not?”

“Of course, sir. Lead the way.”

---

“Kate...?”

That voice brought her back to reality. She did not know how much she missed her until she heard her voice. She did not how bad she wanted to talk to her. She whirled to face her, and at that moment, tears began to roll down her eyes.

“Hey, it's okay. Come here.”

“Countess...”

“Shhh, you have the right to cry. Even for the rest of your life. ”

Countess Henrietta hugged her tightly, ran her hand through Kate’s hair.

“I know how it feels when you lose your love...”

“It's not that.”

“Then what is it? You can talk to me, Kate. You can tell me everything.”

Kate took a deep breath and wrapped her own arms around Countess Henrietta.

“ It's... I've been avoiding everyone. You, my friends. Even Briar. And I don't have a reason to-”

“You do have a reason, Kate. You have lost the love of your life. Well, you know that your father and I never really loved each other. But when he died, I lost something important in my life.”

A long silence followed. Kate pulled away from the hug slowly. “But I was in love with him, I'm still in love with him.”

“I know, I know dear.” She pointed to a bench. ” We can sit there... and talk.”

Countess Henrietta sat on the bench, then looked at Kate. “What are you waiting for?”

Kate sat next to her, then tucked her knees up under her chin.

“I tried to talk to you, but-”

“I know. Briar told me. I... I am really sorry.”

“I just wanted to know how you were holding up.” She cleared her throat. “I was worried about you.”

“Everyone was worried about me, and I was least bothered. I hate myself.”

“ But I hate Duke Richards.”

Kate let out a small chuckle. “I hate that dog too.”

“Dog?”

“Oh, pardon me! I did not mean... Briar always calls him dog, not me.”

“It suits him.” Countess laughed. After a second, Kate joined her too. They were laughing at something stupid, they knew.

“You... You never told me why you hate him so much.”

Countess’s smile faded. She let out a sigh and put her hand on Kate’s.

“He... ruined my life when I was young. When I had everything I wanted... ”

“It sure wasn't worse than killing the love of your love.”

“It was worse than that.” She blinked back tears. ” He wanted to marry me when we were young.”

“What?!”

“Yes, he used to love me. He asked me to marry him, and I-”

“You wanted to marry him too?!”

“No Kate! Have patience! I never had feelings for him! I was in love with someone else...”

“Your... your first husband?”

“Yes. Arthur and I... were so in love. When I told Richards “I don't love you”, he got mad. Arthur was one of his friends, and he couldn't see his friend marrying his love.”

“It sounds like he did something bad... to you.”

“He did. I thought he forgot his feelings after my marriage but... but he still wanted to have me.”

“What did he do? Did he tell the others you were cheating on your husband?”

“Worse than that.”

Kate waited patiently to hear her story. After a few seconds, Countess began.

“ It was was a rainy day. Arthur and his friends went hunting. I was alone at home, reading a book in a peaceful empty home.”

“ What about your lady`s maid? You didn’t have one?” 

“ Of course I had, but she left that day to visit her mother. She was ill. But that’s not what I want to tell you.” She took a deep breath. “ When I was reading, I heard the bell rang. I knew it was not Arthur, he was not going to be back until the afternoon. I put the book on the table and when I opened the door… I saw Duke Richards looking at me, and…” she let out a sob and put her head in her hands.

“ Oh I`m… I`m sorry…”

“He attacked me, Kate. I… I was alone and no one heard me screaming and… It was awful… I was so scared...”

Kate didn’t know what to say. She just stared at her blankly. “ It.. it must hav-“

“ That is not the end.”

Kate stopped talking. She was expecting to hear that Mr. Marlcaster came back home and saved her. Instead, her ears heard the most shocking sentence ever,

“ Duke Richards is Edmund`s real father.”