What is it called ? Things.

Excuse me.

Yes?

I’m looking for something but I’ve forgotten what it’s called in English. They’re for putting pieces of paper together. They’re made of metal.

Do you mean these things?

No, they’re smaller. You put them in a sort of machine and ...

Oh, you mean these.

Yeah, yeah. That’s right. What are they called?

Staples.

Staples. Thanks very much.

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Are you looking for something?

Yes, I’m sorry. I don’t know the word for it. You use it when you’re writing and you make a mistake.

Do you mean correction fluid? This white stuff?

No, not a liquid. It’s made of rubber.

Is this what you’re looking for?

Yes, that’s right. What is it called?

A rubber!

Oh, that’s easy!

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Can I help you?

Yes, please. I’m looking for something but I don’t know the word for it. Umm. They’re things for pulling out hair. They’re made of metal and they look a bit like scissors.

Do you mean these? Tweezers?

Yes, that’s right. Do you have a smaller pair?

Um, let’s see. What about these?

Yes. What are they called again?

Tweezers.

Right, tweezers. Thanks a lot.

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Excuse me.

Yes?

Could you help me?

Sure. What do you need?

I can’t remember what they are called in English. You use them when you hurt yourself.

Do you mean one of these?

No. They’re made of plastic and they’re quite small and you put them on a cut.

Oh, you mean plasters. Here you are.

Right. Plasters. Thanks very much.

No problem.

Tin is a type of metal.

Shoes and bags are often made of this leather.

Saying I don’t know the name of something

I am sorry, I have forgotten what it is called.

I am sorry, I don’t know the word for it.

I can not remember what they are called.

I do not know what it is called in English.

Describing what something is used for

It is thing for – opening bottles of wines.

It is stuff for – getting marks on your clothes.

You use them to – put posters up on the wall.

I am looking for – something for my mobile.

You use it when – the batteries are dead.

Describing what something looks like

It is a type of – liquid.

They are made of – metal.

They have got – a round top.

It looks like – a black box.

Checking something is the right thing

Do you mean one of these?

Oh, you mean – stain remover?

Is this what you are looking for?

Stuff = uncountable

It is a thing/stuff for ….+ing

We use it/them to ….