✅ FORMAL CONTEXTS (15 conversations)
1. Meeting at Work
Context: Mid-project meeting
Person A: “So, our next milestone is—”
Person B: “Sorry to interrupt, but do we have a confirmed deadline from the client yet?”
Person A: “Good question. We’re still waiting, but I’ll follow up today.”
2. Job Interview
Context: Candidate is answering a question
Interviewer: “Tell me about your last position.”
Candidate: “Certainly. I worked as a—”
Interviewer: “Apologies for cutting in, but could you clarify the size of your team?”
Candidate: “Of course. I led a team of six developers.”
3. University Lecture
Context: During a professor’s explanation
Professor: “This theory was developed in the 19th century—”
Student: “Excuse me for interrupting, but could you repeat the name of the theory?”
Professor: “Certainly. It’s the Germ Theory of Disease.”
4. Business Presentation
Context: A presentation on quarterly sales
Presenter: “As you can see, revenue increased by—”
Colleague: “Sorry to jump in, but does that include Q1 or just Q2?”
Presenter: “Great question. That’s Q2 data only.”
5. Medical Consultation
Context: Patient talking to doctor
Patient: “I’ve been feeling tired and—”
Doctor: “I’m sorry to stop you there, but how long have you had these symptoms?”
Patient: “About three weeks.”
6. Conference Q&A
Context: Panel discussion
Panelist: “We noticed significant growth in—”
Audience Member: “Pardon the interruption, but can you share the exact growth rate?”
Panelist: “Yes, we saw a 12% increase.”
7. Phone Call with Client
Context: Discussing contract details
Client: “We’re considering a 12-month term—”
Manager: “Sorry to interject, but our standard is six months. Would that be acceptable?”
Client: “We can work with that.”
8. Team Briefing
Context: Morning update meeting
Team Lead: “Our goals for today include—”
Employee: “Apologies for the interruption, but can we revisit yesterday’s task first?”
Team Lead: “Good idea, let’s do that.”
9. Office Interview
Context: HR explaining benefits
HR: “Our health package covers—”
Candidate: “Sorry to interrupt, but does that include dental?”
HR: “Yes, it does.”
10. Virtual Meeting
Context: Zoom call
Manager: “If we look at the second slide—”
Team Member: “Excuse me, could you share your screen again? I think we lost it.”
Manager: “Oh, thank you. Let me fix that.”
11. Courtroom Testimony
Context: Witness statement
Witness: “I saw him running away—”
Lawyer: “Objection! Sorry to interrupt, but that’s speculation.”
Judge: “Sustained. Witness, stick to the facts.”
12. Academic Presentation
Context: Final year project presentation
Presenter: “My research focused on—”
Examiner: “I’m sorry to interrupt, but what methodology did you use?”
Presenter: “Mixed methods—qualitative and quantitative.”
13. Technical Training
Context: IT explaining a system
Trainer: “This function allows you to—”
Trainee: “May I stop you there? What does that icon mean?”
Trainer: “It means the system is syncing.”
14. Boardroom Discussion
Context: Budget discussion
Director: “We’ll allocate $20K for marketing—”
CFO: “Sorry, but may I interject? That’s over our limit.”
Director: “Let’s review the figures.”
15. Email Writing Workshop
Context: Learning formal email tone
Instructor: “You should start with ‘Dear’ followed by—”
Participant: “Apologies for interrupting, but is ‘Hi’ ever acceptable?”
Instructor: “In some informal emails, yes.”
💬 INFORMAL CONTEXTS (15 conversations)
16. Friends at a Café
Context: Chatting about weekend plans
Alex: “I’m thinking of going hiking on Saturday—”
Jamie: “Wait, wait, Saturday? I thought we had that brunch thing?”
Alex: “Oh, right! I totally forgot.”
17. Family Dinner
Context: Discussing a vacation
Dad: “We could drive to the mountains this summer—”
Mom: “Hold on, didn’t you say we’d go to the beach?”
Dad: “True. Let’s vote!”
18. Text Chat
Context: Messaging
Taylor: “I was just about to tell you what happened at work—”
Sam: “Omg sorry to butt in but did you see that viral video?”
Taylor: “Haha yes! But wait—back to my story…”
19. Roommates
Context: Talking about chores
Maya: “I cleaned the bathroom and—”
Liam: “Sorry, quick thing—did you see my laundry basket?”
Maya: “It’s in the kitchen for some reason.”
20. Friends Playing a Game
Context: Board game instructions
Jess: “So you roll the dice and then move—”
Tom: “Hang on! What if you land on a red space?”
Jess: “Then you draw a card.”
21. On a Date
Context: Chatting at a restaurant
Sam: “Back in college, I—”
Chris: “Sorry, just have to say—you have a piece of spinach on your tooth.”
Sam: “Oh no, thanks for the save!”
22. Walking with a Friend
Context: Talking about school
Ana: “And then my professor said—”
Ben: “Wait, that’s the same guy who gave me a C last year!”
Ana: “No way! What happened?”
23. Group Video Call
Context: Friends catching up online
Emma: “So I moved into my new place last week—”
Riley: “Wait! Show us the kitchen!”
Emma: “Haha okay, gimme a sec.”
24. In a Car
Context: Chatting while driving
Driver: “So I was heading down 5th street—”
Passenger: “Wait, turn right here! That’s the shortcut.”
Driver: “Got it!”
25. Teenagers at School
Context: Gossiping between classes
Lila: “And then she said—”
Noah: “Hang on, she actually said that?”
Lila: “I swear. Word for word.”
26. House Party
Context: Talking to someone new
Jordan: “Yeah, I grew up in Ohio and—”
Cameron: “Wait, really? Me too! Where exactly?”
Jordan: “Cleveland!”
27. At the Gym
Context: Chatting during a workout
Trainer: “You’ll want to do three sets of—”
Client: “Sorry to stop you, how heavy should the dumbbells be?”
Trainer: “Start with 10kg.”
28. Casual Voice Message
Context: Leaving a voicemail
Mark: “Hey, just checking in to see if—oh wait, I think you messaged me.”
Mark: “Ignore that, talk later!”
29. Talking to a Neighbor
Context: Discussing trash pickup
Neighbor: “They usually come around 9 am—”
You: “Sorry to interrupt, but didn’t they change it to 8:30?”
Neighbor: “You’re right! I almost forgot.”
30. Friends Watching a Movie
Context: In the middle of a film
Jamie: “This part is so intense—”
Riley: “Wait! Isn’t that the guy from the other scene?”
Jamie: “Yeah, it’s all coming together now!”
