Useful language

Making Suggestions Making Assumptions

Why dont you? Judging from he may
Why not? Judging from he could
If I were you, I would Judging from he might be
What about.? I cant tell for sure, but it looks as if she
You should think about I cant tell be certain, but it looks as if she
You ought to think about She must be
You might want to think about I dont think he could be because
Have you thought about? She cant possibly be because
It would be a good idea if you.
I think it would be a good idea to Asking about feelings
How are you?
To express the results of suggestions Are you (feeling) alright?
Then [you/we] [might/could] Are you (feeling) angry?
This would mean that Are you (feeling) upset?
You might find that Are you (feeling) pleased?
That way, Are you (feeling) Ok.?
You never know, you might Is everything alright?
Whats wrong with you?
Responding Positively Whats the matter with you?
Thats a good idea.
Ok. Why not? Expressing feelings
I think youre right. Well, its been aday
I never thought of that. Actually,
The thing is
Responding negatively To be honestI feel
Its no good. To be honestIve been in a good/bad/etc
I dont know mood all day
Im not really into Im sad about
I dont know what good it would do Im angry about
Im glad about
Comparing & contrasting
The main difference between the pictures Express opinions
is that I think
The greatest difference between the I believe
pictures is that In my opinion
The most important difference between To my mind
the pictures is that To me
The most striking similarity is that
The most obvious similarity is that Asking for opinion
In the first picture, whereas in the second What do you think about...?
picture Whats your opinion?
In the first picture, while in the second Dont you agree?
picture
In the first picture, but in the second Agreeing
picture I couldnt agree more
I quite agree with you
Expressing preference Thats true
Id much ratherthan I partly agree
I dont like the idea of, so I would prefer
to Disagreeing
Im not so keen on, so I would choose I dont think so
to I dont agree

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 I (dont) feel
Perhaps youre right, but on the other Linking words and phrases
hand
Thats not quite the way I see it To list points
I see what you mean, but Firstly
In the first place
Encouraging To start/begin with;
You would be great as a Secondly
This would be ideal for you! Then
I can just see you as a Furthermore;
I can just imagine you as a Finally
Youll love all the youd! Last/ Last but not least
Youd make a great! To make concessions
Although;
Responding positively While;
You might be right actually. Despite the fact that; etc.
I hadnt thought of that.
To add emphasis
You might have a point.
especially;
I see what you mean.
in particular;
Thats certainly a possibility.
particularly; etc
To express your opinion
Responding negatively
I feel;
Its not my kind of thing at all.
I believe;
I dont think I could cope.
I am convinced;
I couldnt possibly think of
I am confident; etc.
Im not really into that kind of thing
No, thats not for me. To make suggestions /
recommendations
Demanding Explanations I (would) (strongly) suggest;
Can you tell me why? I (would) (strongly) recommend;
Can you explain why? If we did this;
I dont really understand why If we were to do this;
Why is it that? One solution would;
One suggestion would be to;
Giving Explanations It would be a good idea to; etc.
Wellyou see
To be honest To express cause and effect
By (doing this), we could;
Asking for Advice By (doing this), we would;
What do you think I should do if (Doing this) would (solve the problem,
Im having a problem deciding what to etc);
What should I.? In this way, we could;
I really dont know what to do about in order to;
Any ideas how/what I could so that;
Any suggestions how/what I could (This) would mean that;
As a result; etc.
Giving advice
If I were you, Id/wouldnt. Expressing whishes
If I were in your shoes, Id/wouldnt. It would be nice if
Youd better It would be great if
You should/shouldnt. It would be wonderful if
I dont think you should I would love it if
Whatever you do, dont Ive always wanted a(n)
Heres what Id do. Id My dream is to have a
I suggest you I wish we had

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 Having a(n) would make things so much Im really/very fond of
nicer Im really/very keen on
Having a(n) would make things so much Im really/very interested in
easier I findreally
Having a(n) would make things so much interesting/fascinating/exciting.
more convenient
Expressing dislikes
Avoiding giving a direct answer. I (absolutely) hate/detest/loathe/cant
Ill have to get back to you on bear/cant stand
Ill have to get back to you about that. Im not (very) keen on/interested in
I cant give you an answer right now. I dont fancy
Id rather not say. I findrather boring/dull/etc.
Im not in a position to answer that.
Ill have to think about it. Explaining what you like about sth
Its out of my hands. What I like most is
Im a bit busy at the moment. I really like the way
I cant say for certain.
Ill let you know. Explaining what you dont like about sth
Ill see what I can do. What bothers/annoys me the most is
What gets to me is
Making Suggestions/Recommendations.
I suggest + gerund/that Expressing indifference
I recommend + gerund/that It doesnt bother me either way.
I think it would be a good idea + to It doesnt concern me.
infinitive/if I dont care.
Perhaps we/you could + bare infinitive Its Ok/alright I suppose.
If + simple past. I dont have an opinion on it.
One/Another suggestion/idea would be/is
+ to infinitive
Giving news
Expressing the results of suggestions Youll never guess who
This would lead to Well, Ive heard that
This would mean that... Guess what! ...
This would result in Ive just heard the most
As a result, interesting/exciting news!
The result of this would be to / that... Have you heard?
The effect of this would be to / that...
In this way, we/you/people/etc, would (be Reacting to news
able to) No, really?
If , [it/you/we/people/etc.] I dont believe it!
[could/would/might/etc.] How interesting!
If, the result would be It doesnt surprise me!
The reason is that Well, you can never tell!
By doing this, we Youre joking!
Then, Never! / Wow!?
Youre pulling my leg!
Asking for personal views
What do you think of? Making suggestions
Whats your opinion of? Lets, shall we?
How do you feel about? Why dont we?
How do you like? Do you want to?
Would you like to?
Expressing likes
I kind of like Responding positively
I really like/love Thats a very good/great idea!

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 What a good idea! Im sorry to say that I am very disappointed
That sounds like a good idea to me. with
Sure, why not? Im afraid to say I have a number of
Thats fine by me. complaints about
Look, Im sorry to trouble you, but I
Giving alternatives wonder if you could
Otherwise, we could instead. Theres something Id like to talk to you
Tell you something/what, we could about. Its just that you promised to
always
Ok, how about Criticising
Ive had enough of
Responding negatively Im fed up with
Not really/No, thanks. I dont feel like Its about time you did isnt it?
Well, Im not in the mood for Its all your fault that
That doesnt sound like a good idea (to You could at least have
me). You shouldnt have
Well, Im not that keen on Why couldnt you
Im not sure if I feel up to that.
Apologizing
Interrupting Oh, Im ever so sorry!
Im sorry to interrupt, but Oh dear! Im terribly sorry about that. Ill
Could I just say something see to it as soon as possible.
If I could just add something to that Gosh, youre right. I forgot all about it. Im
I see what you mean, but sorry!
Yes, but Im so sorry! Ill make sure it doesnt
happen again.
Encouraging
Why do you think that? Asking for an opinion
What makes you say that? So, what do you think?
Can you give me an example of what you Do you like?
mean? How do you like my?
Could you be more specific?
I dont quite understand what you mean Thanking
by Thanks, Im glad you like it.
Thanks for saying so.
Persuading Youre so kind.
Surely the most sensible thing would be
I really think it would be a pity if we Complimenting
didnt Well, that looks really nice.
Its a vital / important that Its really beautiful.
I really think we should Mmmm, that smells superb.
I think its brilliant.
Agreeing Thats absolutely delicious!
You are probably right. Ahh yes, its wonderful.
Lets do that! What a great idea!
This is a wonderful idea. It looks fantastic!
We could always
Asking for confirmation
Disagreeing Wasnt it who ?
Its no good/no use It was who , wasnt it?
I cant see the/any point in was the one who , wasnt he?
No way! , didnt he?

Complaining Responding Positively

Im afraid Ive got a complaint Yes, thats right.

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 Yes, I think it/he was/did. Do you know anything about ?
Do you have any idea what ?
Responding with Uncertainly
Oh, Im not sure. Expressing ignorance/uncertainly
Oh, it/he might have been. I havent the faintest idea!
Oh, I cant remember. I havent got a clue!
Im afraid I dont know.
Responding Negatively Im not sure but I think it has to do with
Ive no idea. I might be wrong but I think it is
I havent a clue.
I couldnt tell you. Introducing a topic
No way! It was who I heard the other day that
Not at all! That was (name). Somebody mentioned to me that
No, it wasnt. I read somewhere recently that
Did you know that ?
Starting the conversation
Listen to this Asking about feelings
Wait till you hear Does it worry you?
Youll never guess/believe Do you worry about it?
Do you know? Does it depress you?
Does it get you down?
Expressing surprise/disbelief
Thats incredible/amazing/unbelievable! Expressing fear and anxiety
I dont believe it! Oh, its just horrible!
Youre not serious, are you? But thats so irresponsible!
You cant be serious! Oh, its just ridiculous!
Yeah, right! Oh, its so cruel!

Expressing sympathy Expressing negative feelings

How awful/terrible/embarrassing! The very thought of it makes me sick.
I cant bear to think about it.
Commenting I hate to think about it.
That was lucky! It doesnt bear thinking about.
That was nice (of him, her, etc)
Oh, no/I hate that! Expressing hope
Well, maybe people will get some
Congratulating sense/see sense before its too late/in the
Congratulations! end.
Well done! Well, maybe all is not lost yet.
Brilliant/Excellent!/Super! Well, maybe we can do something before
Im (really) happy for you! its too late.
Good for you!
Thats great/wonderful/fantastic news! Phrases / Expressions

Consoling
Thats too bad/a pity/ a shame.
Dont let it get you down.
Never mind.
Dont worry.
Youll be fine/Ok/alright.
Im so sorry.
Its not as bad as it seems/you think.
Asking indirect questions
Can you tell me what ?
Background
The film/story is set in
This well-written/informative/fascinating
book
This original first novel
The film/book tells the story of ...
The book/novel was written by ...
The screenplay was
The film is directed by
This work is based on
It is a comedy/horror film/love story.

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Main points of the plot:
The plot focuses on
The story begins / concerns / is about
The plot has an unexpected twist
The film reaches a dramatic climax
The plot is (absolutely) thrilling/ (rather)
boring.
General comments and opinion:
It is rather confusing / long / slow / boring.
The cast is excellent / weak / awful /
unconvincing.
The script is dull / clever / exciting.
It has a tragic / surprising / dramatic end.
It is beautifully / poorly / badly written.
It doesnt come across as
The arrangements are simple / effective /
complicated.
Rich / Dull sound.
Catchy tune (tono pegadizo).
Features a variety of musical instruments.
Powerful / weak voice.
Musically satisfying.
Recommendations
Dont miss it.
It is well worth seeing.
It will change the way you see
I wouldnt recommend it because
Its bound to be a box-office hit.
I highly / thoroughly / strongly recommend
it.
Wait until it comes out on video.
It is a highly entertaining read.
Its a bore to read.
Its certainly at the top of my list.
Fans will no doubt be thrilled with this.
Its a must!
Dont bother with this one.
I definitely recommend that you add this
CD to your collection!
Giving advice
What you (really) need to do is
You could
Why dont you ?
Have you thought of ?
Have you tried ?
The best thing you can do is
Accepting advice
What / Thats a good idea!
That might work.
It might be a good idea.
I think Ill take your advice.
Rejecting advice
Thats easier said than done!
Thats all very well for you to say, but
I dont think so.