Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (10 page)

(Are you) ready to order?
Would you care to tell me what you want to order to eat? (A standard phrase used in eating establishments to find out what a customer wants to eat.)
The waitress came over and asked, “Are you ready to order?
”
T
OM
: I know what I want. What about you, Sally? Are you ready to order? S
ALLY
: Don't rush me!

(Are you) sorry you asked?
Now that you have heard the unpleasant answer, do you regret having asked the question? (Compare to You'll be sorry you asked.)
F
ATHER
: How are you doing in school? B
ILL
: I'm flunking out. Sorry you asked?
M
OTHER
: You've been looking a little down lately. Is there anything wrong? B
ILL
: I probably have mono. Are you sorry you asked?

(as) far as I know
AND
to the best of my knowledge
a signal of basic but not well-informed agreement, with an indication that the speaker's knowledge may not be adequate.
T
OM
: Is this brand of computer any good? C
LERK
: This is the very best one there is, as far as I know.
F
RED
: Are the trains on time? C
LERK
: To the best of my knowledge, all the trains are on time today.
B
ILL
: Are we just about there? T
OM
: Far as I know. B
ILL
: I thought you'd been there before. T
OM
: Never.

(as) far as I'm concerned 1
.
from my point of view; as concerns my interests.
B
OB
: Isn't this cake good? A
LICE
: Yes, indeed. This is the best cake I have ever eaten as far as I'm concerned.
T
OM
: I think I'd better go. B
OB
: As far as I'm concerned, you all can leave now
.
2
.
Okay, as it concerns my interests.
A
LICE
: Can I send this package on to your sister? J
OHN
: As far as I'm concerned.
J
ANE
: Do you mind if I put this coat in the closet? J
OHN
: Far as I'm concerned. It's not mine.

as for
someone or something Go to as to someone or something.

As I expected
.
Go to (Just) as I expected.

as I see it
AND
in my opinion; in my view
the way I think about it.
T
OM
: This matter is not as bad as some would make it out to be. A
LICE
: Yes. This whole affair has been overblown, as I see it.
B
OB
: You're as wrong as can be. J
OHN
: In my view, you are wrong.