A friend just had a car crash, say something to her
Can you help me make the following sentences more casual and, like, friendly, just like talking to a friend, not writing a formal documentation?
I know it can be grammatically correct in many ways, but there should be some differences in sentence structures and/or word uses between feeling formal and feeling friendly/casual.
"Is it a serious car accident?"
"Did you hurt?"
(And what else you can think about to add)
Thank you!P.S. I want to know how badly the car is damaged, like just a scratch or totaled. What should I ask?
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 9
1
That's awful! Are you ok? Was anyone hurt? Is there anything I can do for you?
1
First, asking about the status of the car and the health of the people at the same time would be insensitive. You’d only ask about the car once you know the people are OK.
“Was the accident serious? Was anybody hurt?”
“No one was seriously hurt, thank goodness.”
“That’s a relief. How’s your car?” (There is no reason to assume that the car was totaled.)
Etc.
If you were answering the last question, I much prefer your phrasing to the suggestion of “written off” which would be a very odd thing to say in the US. But to say “Both cars were totaled” or “My car has some bumper damage but the other car only has a few scratches” would be natural.
We do use the expression “write something off” but wouldn’t use in that context.
1
Regarding the car, you could even say things like 'How's the car?' 'Is there any damage to the car?' ' Did you cause any damage?'
With hurt, you coud also say 'you were lucky you didn't hurt yourself!'
Or 'Did you hurt yourself?'
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