US woman & Englishman track

FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE

Persuasion
FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE
THIS IS THE FIRST PART IN A MINI-SERIES ON PERSUASION. MORE NEXT MONTH.
motivating / inspiring someone to do something, often by giving them good reasons for doing it. There are a number of tenses that can be used for persuading someone to do something. Here are a few.

Watch & Learn! Listen to two people discussing this topic in a mini-video at www.hotenglishmagazine.com

Persuasion = the act of convincing / persuading /

Imperatives

Imperatives can be used as a very direct way of persuading someone to do something. For example: a) Use this one! Its the best. b) Listen up! Ive got something important to say. c) Just do it! You wont regret it! Lets can be used if youre including yourself in the proposed action. For example: a) Lets go to the cinema tonight. Theres a really good lm on. b) Come on! Lets go to the party. Im sure youll enjoy it!

There is / There are

There is / there are can be used to introduce a problem-solution scenario. For example: a) Theres something we need to talk about. I really feel that b) There are three things we need to do. Firstly c) Theres a problem that we need to discuss. I think d) There are better ways of doing this. Personally, I think

Conditional structures

Conditional structures can also be used. Theyre good for referring to the possible negative consequences of not doing something. For example: a) If you dont do it soon, itll be too late. b) If you dont tell them, someone else will. c) If we dont act now, we wont get another chance. d) If I were you, Id get this one its much better.

Theres something we need to talk about! It isnt going to take long... honestly! So, come on!

Future tenses

Future tenses can be used for stressing the benets of something. For example: a) Im sure its going to be fun. b) Well have more time to ourselves. c) Its going to be much better in the long run. d) Itll provide us with a solution to all our problems. Future tenses can also be used to minimise any possible inconvenience. For example: a) It isnt going to take very long. b) It wont take up much of your time. c) An extra seat wont cost much. Now watch a video with someone trying to be persuasive!
12 I www.hotenglishgroup.com Looking for intensive classes? E-mail classes@hotenglishmagazine.com and get started with us today.