Hey there! It’s Michael here — and welcome back to another Happy English Sunday Speak. I’m here every Sunday with a quick one-point tip to help you speak English more naturally.
Sometimes, you need to ask someone to wait. In situations like this, you could say “Please wait a moment.” And sure, that’s correct English — but it sounds a bit formal and not something we usually say to friends or coworkers. In everyday conversation, we have a more natural and friendly way to ask someone to wait: “Hang on.”
- Like, when you’re on the phone and need to check something. You can say, “Hang on, let me grab my notes.”
- Or, if you’re in the middle of doing something, and your friend says, “Hey, can you look at this?” You can say, “Hang on a second.”
- Even if someone’s talking too fast, you can say, “Whoa, hang on! Say that again?”
It’s short, casual, and super natural. So next time instead of “Please wait a moment,” just say “Hang on.”
FAQ
Question: How can we ask someone to wait in English, instead of “Please wait a moment?”
Answer: In everyday conversation, we have a more natural and friendly way to ask someone to wait: “Hang on.”
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