Rejoinders are special phrases. We use them for three reasons:
1. to show that we are listening
2. to show that we understand
3. to show that we are interested
For example, for each conversation, choose the best rejoinder.
Example #1
A: My dog died last night.
B:
(a) That’s great!
(b) That’s nice.
(c) I’m sorry to hear that.
(d) Oh, really?
Example #2
A: I won the lottery last night. (Lottery = “lotto” in Konglish)
B:
(a) That’s great!
(b) That’s nice.
(c) I’m sorry to hear that.
(d) Oh, really?
Here are the different kinds of rejoinders.
Happy:
- That’s great!
- Terrific!
- Wonderful!
Sad:
- That’s too bad.
- I’m sorry to hear that.
- Oh, no!
Interested:
- I see.
- That’s nice.
- Oh, yeah?
Surprised:
- You’re kidding!
- I can’t believe it!
- Oh, really!/Oh, really?
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Introductory Exercise — Answers
3. A: That’s great!
5. A: I see.
7. A: That’s too bad.
9. A: Oh, yeah?
11. A: I see./That’s nice.
13. A: I see./That’s nice.
15. B: You’re kidding!
17. B: Wonderful!
19. B: Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.
21. B: Oh, no!
23. B: I can’t believe it!
25. B: Terrific!
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Exercise Two
Step 1
Student A reads out a sentence.
Student B listens and then gives an appropriate rejoinder.
Example #1:
A: I broke my finger yesterday.
B:
(a) Wonderful!
(b) Oh, yeah?
(c) Oh, no!
(d) Oh, really?
Example #2:
A: Two members of Girls’ Generation will marry each other and adopt a baby from Vietnam.
B:
(a) That’s too bad.
(b) You’re kidding!
(c) I see.
(d) That’s great!
Step 2
Vice versa.
Student B reads out a sentence.
Student A listens and then gives an appropriate rejoinder.
Step 3
First, fill in the blanks.
Then, take turns reading out your sentences and giving appropriate rejoinders.
Step 4
Take turns with your partner. One person tells about a recent travel experience, and the other gives rejoinders.
Example:
A: This past vacation, I went on a trip to Jeju Island.
B: That’s nice.
A: My uncle is the mayor of Jeju City.
B: Oh, really!
A: So I stayed at his house for a few days.
B: I see.
A: Unfortunately, I was punched by a drunk man.
B: Oh, no!
A: But I wasn’t too hurt, and I received a lot of “blood money.”
B: That’s great!
[ etc. ... ]
