English Lessons Library

Objective

Students will learn how to use the phrasal verb 'sort out' in the past simple tense to talk about resolving booking problems at a hotel.

Article

Last weekend, I stayed at a hotel in London. When I arrived, I found out that my booking was not on their system. I was quite worried, but the receptionist quickly sorted out the problem. She checked the computer and found a mistake in the date. They sorted out the issue by giving me a room right away. Later, I spoke to the manager, who told me they had sorted out similar problems before. I felt relieved because they sorted out everything calmly and professionally. In the end, my stay was very comfortable, and I appreciated how the hotel staff sorted out the booking mistake so quickly.

Grammar Explanation

Meaning

'Sort out' means to find a solution to a problem or organise something successfully.

Grammar Note

The Past Simple tense is used to talk about actions that happened and finished in the past. Regular verbs add -ed, while irregular verbs have different forms.

Usage Tips

Use 'sorted out' for past events when a problem was solved.
You can use 'sort out' in formal and informal situations.
Remember the verb agrees with past time words like 'yesterday' or 'last week'.

Examples

The hotel staff sorted out my booking mistake quickly.

Problem solved at the hotel reception

I sorted out the payment issue before I left.

Resolved a payment problem

They sorted out the room change without any trouble.

Hotel fixed a room problem

We sorted out the confusion about the reservation yesterday.

Cleared up reservation confusion

The receptionist sorted out my request for an extra bed.

Handled an extra service request

Dialogue

Context: A guest arrives at the hotel and finds a problem with their booking.

Guest:

Hello, I think there’s a problem with my booking.

Receptionist:

Let me check. Yes, I see the issue. Don’t worry, we sorted it out just now.

Guest:

Thank you! I was worried I wouldn’t have a room.

Receptionist:

It’s all sorted out. Here is your room key.

Guest:

I appreciate how quickly you sorted this out.

Receptionist:

It’s our pleasure. Enjoy your stay!

Vocabulary

Booking

An arrangement made in advance to stay at a hotel

Example: I made a booking for two nights at the hotel.

Synonym: Reservation

Receptionist

A person who greets and helps guests at a hotel

Example: The receptionist gave me my room key.

Synonym: Front desk clerk

Issue

A problem or difficulty

Example: There was an issue with my booking.

Synonym: Problem

Room key

A key or card used to open a hotel room

Example: The receptionist gave me the room key.

Synonym: Key card

Manager

The person in charge of the hotel

Example: I spoke to the manager about the booking error.

Synonym: Supervisor

Confusion

A state of not understanding something clearly

Example: There was confusion about the reservation date.

Synonym: Misunderstanding

Payment

The act of giving money for a service

Example: I sorted out the payment at the front desk.

Synonym: Settlement

Extra bed

An additional bed provided in a hotel room

Example: I asked for an extra bed in my room.

Synonym: Additional bed

Reservation

An arrangement to keep a place at a hotel

Example: My reservation was for three nights.

Synonym: Booking

Comfortable

Providing physical ease and relaxation

Example: The hotel room was very comfortable.

Synonym: Cozy

Tips

Always stay calm when asking hotel staff to sort out a problem.
Use past simple when talking about problems you solved in the past.
Avoid mixing past and present tense when describing past events.

Summary

In this lesson, you learned how to use the phrasal verb 'sort out' in the past simple tense to talk about solving booking problems at a hotel. You practised reading, listening, and speaking with realistic hotel situations. Now you can confidently describe how you sorted out issues during your stay.

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