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Thursday
Jun032010

“Guys, I have to talk to you.”

You wrecked your parents' car. Now you have to tell them about it. You are talking to both your mother and father at the same time. You start by saying:

Guys, I have to talk to you.

Guys

In English, there's not a really good word for addressing a group of people. In different parts of the country, people use different expressions when talking to a group. The expression I suggest is "guys". For example, at a restaurant with a large group of friends you can say:

Hey guys, are you ready to order?

"Guys" technically means a group of men, but it's usually OK to use it for groups of men and women, or even for groups of all women.

I have to talk to you.

You usually use this phrase when you're just about to give someone bad news. It's often used when you are breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, when telling your boss that you're quitting your job, and so in.

If you say "I have to talk to you" to someone, the most likely response will be "What's wrong?"

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