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Martin, I have four messages for you.
All right.
And you are not allowed to answer all right toeveryone.
That is normally a safe answer.
Not when somebody shares surprising, exciting, ordifficult news.
Then I need better reactions.
Exactly. Today we are learning four natural waysto react to news.
Welcome to your English Toolbox. I am Martin.
And I am Julia.
This is Episode 6 of Everyday Useful Expressions,
our series of ready-made English for realsituations.
Today we are learning how to show surprise,happiness, relief, and sympathy.
What is the first message?
Your photograph won the local competition.
No way!
That is our first expression. No way!
It is an informal way to express strong surpriseor disbelief.
For example, I met my favorite actor yesterday. Noway!
Or they upgraded our tickets for free. No way!
Your tone shows whether the surprise is positiveor negative.
But we should be careful because no way can alsomean a very strong refusal.
Exactly. No way!
You won expresses surprise. No way!
I refuse has a completely different meaning.
It is also quite informal.
So use it with friends and relaxed conversations,
not as your automatic reaction in everyprofessional situation.
Understood. What is the second message?
Your sister has been offered the job she wanted.
That's great news.
This expression shows warm, positive interest.
It is more engaged than simply saying good.
For example, the doctor says I can start runningagain.
That's great news.
Or our application was accepted.
That's great news.
A natural follow-up could be, when does she start?
That is important. A good reaction often continueswith a question.
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It shows that you are genuinely listening.
What is message number three?
The missing documents have been found, so we donot need to repeat the whole application.
What a relief!
We use what a relief when worry, pressure, oruncertainty has ended.
For example, the test results were normal.
What a relief!
Or the airport found my suitcase.
What a relief!
This expression focuses on the disappearance ofworry.
So if a friend gets a new job, that's great newsis usually more natural.
But if the friend was afraid the job haddisappeared, what a relief may also make sense.
Context decides which feeling you want toemphasize.
And the final message?
Hannah cannot join the concert because she hasbroken her ankle.
I'm sorry to hear that.
This expression shows sympathy when someone tellsyou bad or disappointing news.
It does not mean that you caused the problem.
You are sorry that the other person isexperiencing it.
For example, my interview did not go well.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Or, my father has been unwell.
I'm very sorry to hear that.
The word very can add warmth when the news isserious.
A helpful follow-up might be, how is she feeling?
Or, is there anything we can do?
The expression opens the door to support.
It should not sound like a formula that ends theconversation.
Let us compare all four reactions.
No way, expresses strong informal surprise.
That's great news, shows happiness about positivenews.
What a relief, shows that worry or uncertainty hasended.
And I'm sorry to hear that shows sympathy afterbad news.
Time for a quick challenge.
Choose the most natural reaction before we answer.
Situation 1, a friend tells you that she has wontwo tickets to New York.
No way.
Situation 2, your colleague tells you that hisprofessional qualification has been approved.
That's great news.
Situation 3, a hospital confirms that an alarmingresult was a mistake.
What a relief.
Situation 4, a friend tells you that her favoritecafe is closing.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Now practice a complete reaction.
Your friend says, I finally passed my drivingtest.
You could say, that's great news.
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When did you take it?
A reaction plus a natural question keeps theconversation alive.
On the episode page at yourenglishtoolbox.com, youwill find five additional ways to react to news.
Each one includes its meaning, tone, two examples,and active practice.
The direct link is in the episode description.
So was the first message true?
Which one?
The photography competition.
No, I invented it for the lesson.
I'm sorry to hear that.
But your reaction was excellent.
That's great news.
And you used another expression naturally.
What a relief.
Now you are simply showing off.
No way.
See you next time, friends.
Goodbye.