Real, everyday American English — Saying No Without Saying No (Part 2). You hear 40 phrases Americans actually use, each spoken clearly with a natural-speed repeat, the stressed syllable marked, and a short note on when to use it. Then take the matching quiz. Phrases in this episode (CAPITALS = the beat): I have sent the email. [eye hav SENT thee EE-mayl.] I'll need some time to think. [eyel NEED suhm TYM tuh THINGK.] Who should I talk to? [HOO shuhd eye TAWK too?] I want to, but I can’t. [eye WAH-nuh, but eye KANT.] I just called to check. [eye jist KAWLD tuh CHEK.] That’s a bit difficult. [thats uh bit DIH-fuh-kult.] I'll have to pass. [eyel HAF-tuh PAS.] Now's not a good time. [NOWZ NAHT uh GUUD TYM.] Could you do me a favor? [kood yoo DOO mee uh FAY-vur?] I wish I could. [eye WISH eye KUUD.] Go ahead, I’m listening. [goh uh-HED, eyem LIH-suh-ning.] What can I do in return? [wut kan eye DOO in ree-TURN?] Sorry, I didn’t see you. [SAH-ree, eye DIH-dunt SEE yoo.] Could you shut the door? [kood yoo SHUT thuh DOR?] Is the manager in right now? [iz thuh MA-nuh-jur IN RYT NOW?] Who handles this matter? [HOO HAN-dulz this MA-dur?] Could you call tomorrow? [kood yoo KAWL tuh-MAH-roh?] I’d like an appointment. [eyed LYK un uh-POYNT-munt.] Excuse me, is your mom home? [ik-SKYOOZ mee, iz yer MAHM HOHM?] May I just ask something? [may eye JIST ASK SUM-thing?] I've got a lot on my plate right now. [eyev GAH-duh LAHT ahn my PLAYT RYT NOW.] Please ask somebody else. [PLEEZ ASK SUM-buh-dee ELSS.] Can I get back to you on that? [kin eye get BAK tuh yoo AHN that?] Thanks for thinking of me. [THANGKS fur THING-king uv mee.] Could you let me through? [KOOD-juh LEH-mee THROO?] We’ll look at that later. [WEEL LOOK at THAT LAY-dur.] Okay okay, see you later. [oh-KAY oh-KAY, SEE yuh LAY-dur.] Sorry, I can’t right now. [SAH-ree, eye KANT RYT NOW.] I'm going to sit this one out. [eyem GUH-nuh SIT this wuhn OWT.] …and more in the episode