breaking shocking news

[JACEK1]

Hello everybody!

If someone is about to break shocking news to someone else, is it right to say "It is probably best if you sit down?"

What do you think?

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes.

 

[GoesStation]

That's okay. You can also phrase it as a question: "Are you sitting down?" This is understood as You really should be sitting down.

 

[Yankee]

Hello everybody!

If someone is about to break shocking news to someone else, is it right to say "It is probably best if you sit down?"

What do you think?

Well, it could have a worse effect than the news itself. Try "I need to tell you that...….".

 

[Tarheel]

Have you heard the one about the cat on the roof?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Have you heard the one about the cat on the roof?

No. But go ahead. We're sitting down.

 

[Tarheel]

OK. A guy is on vacation, and his friend is supposed to be looking after his house while he is gone. When he gets back his friend breaks the bad news rather abruptly. He says. "Your cat died." Joe says, "Oscar, that's not the way to break bad news. Say 'The cat was on the roof. Unfortunately, the cat fell off of the the roof, and the cat died.'" Then Oscar says, "Joe, your mother-in-law was on the roof."
:lol:

 

[Tdol]

That's okay. You can also phrase it as a question: "Are you sitting down?" This is understood as You really should be sitting down.

Or You may need to sit down for this.

 

[Skrej]

You had better sit down for this.
You'd better take a seat. (more informal)

 

[TheParser]

What do you think?

NOT A TEACHER



Hello,

1. "It is probably best if you sit down" would, I think, unduly scare someone.

2. I would suggest being more indirect.

Mona: Are you busy right now?

Raul: No.

Mona: May I speak with you in the living room?

Raul: Sure. What's up?

Mona sits on the sofa; Raul sits in an armchair.

Mona: I have some bad news about Mother's condition.

Raul: Oh, my God!

Mona: I'm very sorry, but ...