Telling people your name and what you do in English

Our last article helped you to talk about places to live or to stay when you are away from home.

When you are looking for somewhere to live or stay, you may have to talk about yourself. To say what your name is, use I’m … or My name’s … .

I’m Gracia.
Hi, I’m Barbara – I’ve come to look at the room.
My name’s Alejandro Perez. I’ve booked a room for tonight.
Hello, my name’s Mrs Keane. I’d like to speak to one of your estate agents, please.

To give general information about yourself, use I’m … .

I’m French, but I’m studying here.
I’m very tidy.
I’m the owner of the flat, but I don’t live here.

To talk about your work, use I’m a … with the name of a job, or I work … to say something more general about what you do.

I’m a student.
I’m a teacher.
I work at the airport.
I work for a transport business.
I work as a translator.

Useful words

book to arrange to have or use something, such as a hotel room or a ticket to a concert, at a later time
an estate agent a person whose job is to sell buildings or land
tidy liking everything to be in its correct place
transport a system for taking people or things from one place to another in a vehicle
a translator someone whose job is to say or write things again in a different language

Our next blog post will explain how you can ask for information so come back again soon!

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Reported speech

When you use reported speech, the words put into the reported clause do not exactly match the words spoken. ‘I’ll leave at 8.30 on Friday.’ à She says that she will leave at 8.30 on Friday. ‘I’m looking forward to seeing you.’ à She says she’s looking forward to seeing us. Pronouns and possessive… Read More

Indirect speech

Indirect speech or reported speech reports something that was said, but does not use the actual words that the speaker uttered. Lynn asked whether Pippa had been to the new shopping mall. Pippa replied that she hadn’t, but she had heard that there were some really cool shops there. Reported speech always has two clauses. The words… Read More

Direct speech

Direct speech gives the actual words that a speaker has used. It is common in novels and other writing where the actual words of a speaker are quoted. The reporting verb may come before the words that were actually spoken, or after them, or at a natural pause inside the reported sentence. Read More