Practise responding sensitively to difficult news.
The idea
Use I am sorry to hear… to acknowledge bad news, then offer to listen or help.
Examples
- I am sorry to hear about your job.
- That sounds really difficult.
- Would you like to talk about it?
- I am here if you need me.
- Can I bring you dinner tonight?
- Take the time you need.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.
No English device voice is available. You can still read the examples.
Watch out
Avoid assuming you know how the person feels or insisting on a conversation.
Try it yourself
Complete the sentence: I am ___ to hear your news. (sorry / hungry)
Show answer or example answer
sorry
sorry expresses sympathy for the news.
Complete the sentence: Would you like to ___ about what happened? (talk / cook)
Show answer or example answer
talk
talk offers the person a choice to share.
Complete the sentence: I am here if you ___ support. (need / paint)
Show answer or example answer
need
need makes the offer available if support is wanted.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Complete the sentence: I am ___ to hear your news. (sorry / hungry)
Complete the sentence: Would you like to ___ about what happened? (talk / cook)
Complete the sentence: I am here if you ___ support. (need / paint)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write a kind response and offer one specific kind of help.