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Ordering pasta in English (advanced)

Advanced English for ordering pasta. Key line: “Hi, I'm torn between the penne and the tagliatelle—what would you recommend?”

Full script

LinHi, I'm torn between the penne and the tagliatelle—what would you recommend?
ThemIf you want something richer, the tagliatelle holds the sauce better.
LinThat sounds good—could I do the tagliatelle, but swap in the mushroom sauce instead?
ThemYeah, no problem. Do you want to add chicken, or keep it vegetarian?
LinKeep it vegetarian, please, and could you make it slightly spicier?
ThemSure thing. We can bump up the chili, but it does have a kick.
LinPerfect—I like pasta that fights back a little.
ThemGot it—one brave tagliatelle coming up. I'll tell the noodles to behave.

Key phrases

The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.

tough choice

✓ I'm torn between A and B.

Hard to choose between two

Use when choosing between two things

recommend

✓ What would you recommend?

Ask what they suggest

More natural than Which is good

swap

✓ Could I swap in the mushroom sauce instead?

Ask to change the sauce

Useful for changing part of an order

more spice

✓ Could you make it slightly spicier?

Polite way to ask for more spice

slightly = softer, more polite

Quick answers

tough choice: what to say in English

Say “I'm torn between A and B.” — hard to choose between two. Use when choosing between two things.

recommend: what to say in English

Say “What would you recommend?” — ask what they suggest. More natural than Which is good.

swap: what to say in English

Say “Could I swap in the mushroom sauce instead?” — ask to change the sauce. Useful for changing part of an order.

more spice: what to say in English

Say “Could you make it slightly spicier?” — polite way to ask for more spice. slightly = softer, more polite.

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