I’d like this apartment, but I can’t wait until next week.

[tulipflower]

[FONT=&quot]Which option do you prefer in the following situation?

Situation 12)[/FONT][FONT=&quot] You have recently moved to a new city and are looking for an apartment to rent. You are looking at a place now. You like it a lot. The landlord explains that you seem like a good person for the apartment, but that there are a few more people who are interested. The landlord says that you will be called next week and told if you have the place. However, you need the landlord to tell you within the next three days.[/FONT]
​

[FONT=&quot]a) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]I’d like this apartment, but I can’t wait until next week. Is there any way you could let me know in the next 3 days?[/FONT]
​

[FONT=&quot]b) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Oh, well, I really like this apartment, but I have to know a little sooner than that, if that’s possible…[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]c) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Could it be possible to find out a little earlier?[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]d) [/FONT][FONT=&quot]What about telling me earlier? I can't stand for a week.


by Hudson, Detemeur and Brown (1995)
[/FONT]
​

 

[Tarheel]

A is OK with a minor change. B is also OK (with a minor change).

 

[Tarheel]

Can you tell me what's wrong with D?

 

[emsr2d2]

Can you tell me what's wrong with D?

The word "stand".

 

[tulipflower]

I need to explain to the students why each option is more natural. I think 'a' is ok as it mentions the exact deadline. I wonder if it is a good explanation or not?
Is there any difference between (a) and (b) regarding the politeness?

 

[Tarheel]

I like this apartment, but I can’t wait until next week.

For A, say:

I like this apartment, but I can't wait until next week.

B is okay.

C i s okay.

For D, say:

I can't wait until next week.

 

[Tarheel]

I need to explain to the students why each option is more natural. I think 'a' is ok as it mentions the exact deadline. I wonder if it is a good explanation or not?
Is there any difference between (a) and (b) regarding the politeness?

A and B are equally polite.

 

[Tarheel]

Re: I like this apartment, but I can’t wait until next week.

Tulipflower, did you write those sentences?

 

[tulipflower]

That's interesting as students mostly have chosen these two options but to the favour of 'a'.

 

[tulipflower]

Re: I like this apartment, but I can’t wait until next week.

Tulipflower, did you write those sentences?

I didn't write them. I've adopted them from a researcher whose article I'll cite in my own research project.

 

[tulipflower]

Re: I like this apartment, but I can’t wait until next week.

Tulipflower, did you write those sentences?

I didn't write them. I've adopted them from a researcher whose article I'll cite in my own research project.