Rules and regulations

We are affected by laws, rules and regulations every day of our lives.

One of the rules is that nobody can be in the office after 8 p.m. One of the rules is that nobody can be in the office after 8 p.m.

There are so many government regulations for driving a car. There are so many government regulations for driving a car.

It's important to understand the laws of a country that you're visiting. It's important to understand the laws of a country that you're visiting.

Use these words and phrases to talk about laws:

In my country, it's still legal to talk on the phone while driving. In my country, it's still legal to talk on the phone while driving.

Smoking in bars and restaurants is illegal in my city. Smoking in bars and restaurants is illegal in my city.

Driving over 30 miles per hour downtown is against the law. Driving over 30 miles per hour downtown is against the law.

He had to pay a fine for driving without his seatbelt on. He had to pay a fine for driving without his seatbelt on.

Rules and regulations

We are affected by laws, rules and regulations every day of our lives.

One of the rules is that nobody can be in the office after 8 p.m. One of the rules is that nobody can be in the office after 8 p.m.There are so many government regulations for driving a car. There are so many government regulations for driving a car.It's important to understand the laws of a country that you're visiting.

It's important to understand the laws of a country that you're visiting.

Use these words and phrases to talk about laws:

In my country, it's still legal to talk on the phone while driving. In my country, it's still legal to talk on the phone while driving.Smoking in bars and restaurants is illegal in my city. Smoking in bars and restaurants is illegal in my city.Driving over 30 miles per hour downtown is against the law. Driving over 30 miles per hour downtown is against the law.He had to pay a fine for driving without his seatbelt on. He had to pay a fine for driving without his seatbelt on.

 Use these words and phrases to talk about things you can and can't do:

Swimming is not allowed here because of safety concerns. Swimming is not allowed here because of safety concerns.Driving a motorcycle without a helmet is prohibited by law. Driving a motorcycle without a helmet is prohibited by law.Use of cellphones during the flight is not permitted. Use of cellphones during the flight is not permitted.

Talking about rules and regulations

Use these expressions to bring a rule or regulation to someone's attention:

It's been brought to my attention that you've been smoking on the It's been brought to my attention that you've been smoking on the

balcony. balcony.

Did you not receive the new office rules? Did you not receive the new office rules?

There's now a regulation against smoking anywhere in the building. There's now a regulation against smoking anywhere in the building.

It's a new city law. It's a new city law.

Use must to express strong obligation and mustn't to say that something is not allowed:

You must follow the new office rules. You must follow the new office rules.

You mustn't smoke on the balcony. You mustn't smoke on the balcony.

 Talking about rules and regulations

Use these expressions to bring a rule or regulation to someone's attention:

It's been brought to my attention that you've been smoking on the balcony.

It's been brought to my attention that you've been smoking on the balcony.

Did you not receive the new office rules? Did you not receive the new office rules?There's now a regulation against smoking anywhere in the building.

There's now a regulation against smoking anywhere in the building.

It's a new city law. It's a new city law.Use must to express strong obligation and mustn't to say that something is not allowed:

You must follow the new office rules. You must follow the new office rules.You mustn't smoke on the balcony. You mustn't smoke on the balcony.

 Here are some more expressions for talking about rules and regulations:

There's a $50 fine for not wearing a seatbelt. There's a $50 fine for not wearing a seatbelt.The rules are there to protect people. The rules are there to protect people.You can't just smoke anywhere you want. You can't just smoke anywhere you want.I'm sorry, but it's not allowed. I'm sorry, but it's not allowed.

Politely turning down requests

If you are in a position of authority, you might have to turn down someone's request or explain rules to them.

A: That's crazy! Why can't I smoke here? That's crazy! Why can't I smoke here?

B: I'm sorry, but that's the law. I'm sorry, but that's the law.

Use these other expressions to turn down requests politely:

I'm afraid that's just not possible. I'm afraid that's just not possible.

I'd really like to help you, but I don't make the rules. I'd really like to help you, but I don't make the rules.

Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do.

Culture note: Whether the person you are talking to is polite or not, it's always a good idea to remain polite yourself.

Injuries and first aid

Vocabulary

first-aid kit antiseptic sting bagel blood bandage sore company policy infected

a bruisean ice packscissorsa splintera burn

GrammarReview: reflexive pronouns

I just cut myself! She cut herself.

Reflexive pronouns

Use reflexive pronouns to talk about actions where the subject and the object are the same. Reflexive pronouns are formed by adding the suffixesself or -selves to the pronoun.

I cut myself making a bagel. I cut myself making a bagel.

He cut himself in the kitchen. He cut himself in the kitchen.

They bandaged themselves after the accident. They bandaged themselves after the accident.

How did you hurt yourself? How did you hurt yourself?

You can also use reflexive pronouns to add emphasis. 

I'm not going to help you. Do it yourself. I'm not going to help you.

The boss asked to speak to me himself. It was then I knew I was in trouble.The boss asked to speak to me himself. It was then I knew I was in trouble.

 

Expressions – Insisting

Actually, it's company policy.

Company policy is very clear on this. What if it becomes infected? I think it'll be okay. Let's not take any chances. I suppose you're right.

Insisting

Sometimes when people injure themselves, they don't want others to make a fuss. They might say things like:

Don't worry. I'm fine. Don't worry. I'm fine.

It's not that serious. I don't need to see a doctor. It's not that serious. I don't need to see a doctor.

Honestly, I can take care of myself. Honestly, I can take care of myself.

Despite these reassurances, others may still insist on taking action:

It's company policy that you go to the emergency room. It's company policy that you go to the emergency room.

I really must insist that you see a doctor. I really must insist that you see a doctor.

Don't be foolish. You have to take care of that. Don't be foolish. You have to take care of that.

In the end, the injured person may relent:

I suppose you're right. I suppose you're right.

3 Discussing workplace safety

Vocabulary

safety expert compile a report workplace safety avoid injuries evacuation drills carpet fire extinguishers ergonomic You'll be hearing from my lawyer. What were the recommendations? She said we needed ... She strongly advised ... She also recommended ... She demanded safer procedures for ...

Discussing recommendations

Use expressions like these to ask about recommendations:

What were the final recommendations? What were the final recommendations?Have they demanded new workplace regulations? Have they demanded new workplace regulations?

Use expressions like these to report on recommendations:

First, the expert said we needed to improve the workplace environment.

First, the expert said we needed to improve the workplace environment.

He said we have to do something about the bathroom floor. It's too slippery.

He said we have to do something about the bathroom floor. It's too slippery.

He also recommended that we purchase new first-aid kits.

He also recommended that we purchase new first-aid kits.

He strongly advised that we have regular evacuation drills.

He strongly advised that we have regular evacuation drills.

 

4 Giving your opinion about safety laws

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Present perfect passive

You can use the present perfect passive to talk about a past action or event that has an impact in the present.

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New regulations have been announced by the government.

New regulations have been announced by the government.

The report has been compiled by a safety expert. The report has been compiled by a safety expert.A decision has been made by the local council. A decision has been made by the local council.

Remember, we often use the passive when the object of the action is more important than the agent (in other words, the person or thing that carried out the action). In fact, the agent can sometimes be dropped altogether.

New regulations have been announced. New regulations have been announced.The report has been compiled. The report has been compiled.A decision has been made. A decision has been made.

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I'm sick and tired of ...

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It's a waste of time and energy.

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I've had it up to here.

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My mentor's always correcting me.

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I'm fed up with it.

I just had to let off some steam.