Useful language
Making Suggestions
Why dont you?
Why not?
If I were you, I would
What about.?
You should think about
You ought to think about
You might want to think about
Have you thought about?
It would be a good idea if you.
I think it would be a good idea to
To express the results of
suggestions
Then [you/we] [might/could]
This would mean that
You might find that
That way,
You never know, you might
Responding Positively
Thats a good idea.
Ok. Why not?
I think youre right.
I never thought of that.
Responding negatively
Its no good.
I dont know
Im not really into
I dont know what good it would
do
Comparing & contrasting
The main difference between the
pictures is that
The greatest difference between
the pictures is that
The most important difference
between the pictures is that
The most striking similarity is
that
The most obvious similarity is
that
In the first picture, whereas in
the second picture
In the first picture, while in the
second picture
In the first picture, but in the
second picture
Expressing preference
Id much ratherthan
I dont like the idea of, so I would
prefer to
Im not so keen on, so I would
choose to
Making Assumptions
Judging from he may
Judging from he could
Judging from he might be
I cant tell for sure, but it looks as
if she
I cant tell be certain, but it looks
as if she
She must be
I dont think he could be
because
She cant possibly be because
Asking about feelings
How are you?
Are you (feeling) alright?
Are you (feeling) angry?
Are you (feeling) upset?
Are you (feeling) pleased?
Are you (feeling) Ok.?
Is everything alright?
Whats wrong with you?
Whats the matter with you?
Expressing feelings
Well, its been aday
Actually,
The thing is
To be honestI feel
To be honestIve been in a
good/bad/etc mood all day
Im sad about
Im angry about
Im glad about
Express opinions
I think
I believe
In my opinion
To my mind
To me
Asking for opinion
What do you think about...?
Whats your opinion?
Dont you agree?
Agreeing
I couldnt agree more
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 I quite agree with you
Thats true
I partly agree
Disagreeing
I dont think so
I dont agree
I (dont) feel
Perhaps youre right, but on the
other hand
Thats not quite the way I see it
I see what you mean, but
Encouraging
You would be great as a
This would be ideal for you!
I can just see you as a
I can just imagine you as a
Youll love all the youd!
Youd make a great!
Responding positively
You might be right actually.
I hadnt thought of that.
You might have a point.
I see what you mean.
Thats certainly a possibility.
Responding negatively
Its not my kind of thing at all.
I dont think I could cope.
I couldnt possibly think of
Im not really into that kind of
thing
No, thats not for me.
Demanding Explanations
Can you tell me why?
Can you explain why?
I dont really understand why
Why is it that?
Giving Explanations
Wellyou see
To be honest
Asking for Advice
What do you think I should do if
Im having a problem deciding
what to
What should I.?
I really dont know what to do
about
Any ideas how/what I could
Any suggestions how/what I
could
Giving advice
If I were you, Id/wouldnt.
If I were in your shoes,
Id/wouldnt.
Youd better
You should/shouldnt.
I dont think you should
Whatever you do, dont
Heres what Id do. Id
I suggest you
Linking words and phrases
To list points
Firstly
In the first place
To start/begin with;
Secondly
Then
Furthermore;
Finally
Last/ Last but not least
To make concessions
Although;
While;
Despite the fact that; etc.
To add emphasis
especially;
in particular;
particularly; etc
To express your opinion
I feel;
I believe;
I am convinced;
I am confident; etc.
To make suggestions /
recommendations
I (would) (strongly) suggest;
I (would) (strongly) recommend;
If we did this;
If we were to do this;
One solution would;
One suggestion would be to;
It would be a good idea to; etc.
To express cause and effect
By (doing this), we could;
By (doing this), we would;
(Doing this) would (solve the
problem, etc);
In this way, we could;
in order to;
so that;

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 (This) would mean that;
As a result; etc.
Expressing whishes
It would be nice if
It would be great if
It would be wonderful if
I would love it if
Ive always wanted a(n)
My dream is to have a
I wish we had
Having a(n) would make things
so much nicer
Having a(n) would make things
so much easier
Having a(n) would make things
so much more convenient
Avoiding giving a direct answer.
Ill have to get back to you on
Ill have to get back to you about
that.
I cant give you an answer right
now.
Id rather not say.
Im not in a position to answer
that.
Ill have to think about it.
Its out of my hands.
Im a bit busy at the moment.
I cant say for certain.
Ill let you know.
Ill see what I can do.
Making
Suggestions/Recommendations.
I suggest + gerund/that
I recommend + gerund/that
I think it would be a good idea +
to infinitive/if
Perhaps we/you could + bare
infinitive
If + simple past.
One/Another suggestion/idea
would be/is + to infinitive
Expressing the results of
suggestions
This would lead to
This would mean that...
This would result in
As a result,
The result of this would be to /
that...
The effect of this would be to /
that...
In this way, we/you/people/etc,
would (be able to)
If , [it/you/we/people/etc.]
[could/would/might/etc.]
If, the result would be
The reason is that
By doing this, we
Then,
Asking for personal views
What do you think of?
Whats your opinion of?
How do you feel about?
How do you like?
Expressing likes
I kind of like
I really like/love
Im really/very fond of
Im really/very keen on
Im really/very interested in
I findreally
interesting/fascinating/exciting.
Expressing dislikes
I (absolutely)
hate/detest/loathe/cant bear/cant
stand
Im not (very) keen on/interested
in
I dont fancy
I findrather boring/dull/etc.
Explaining what you like about
sth
What I like most is
I really like the way
Explaining what you dont like
about sth
What bothers/annoys me the most
is
What gets to me is
Expressing indifference
It doesnt bother me either way.
It doesnt concern me.
I dont care.
Its Ok/alright I suppose.
I dont have an opinion on it.
Giving news
Youll never guess who
Well, Ive heard that
Guess what! ...
3
 Ive just heard the most Can you give me an example of
interesting/exciting news! what you mean?
Have you heard? Could you be more specific?
I dont quite understand what you
Reacting to news mean by
No, really?
I dont believe it! Persuading
How interesting! Surely the most sensible thing
It doesnt surprise me! would be
Well, you can never tell! I really think it would be a pity if
Youre joking! we didnt
Never! / Wow!? Its a vital / important that
Youre pulling my leg! I really think we should

Making suggestions Agreeing

Lets, shall we? You are probably right.
Why dont we? Lets do that!
Do you want to? This is a wonderful idea.
Would you like to? We could always

Responding positively Disagreeing

Thats a very good/great idea!
What a good idea!
That sounds like a good idea to
me.
Sure, why not?
Thats fine by me.
Giving alternatives
Otherwise, we could instead.
Tell you something/what, we could
always
Ok, how about
Responding negatively
Not really/No, thanks. I dont feel
like
Well, Im not in the mood for
That doesnt sound like a good
idea (to me).
Well, Im not that keen on
Im not sure if I feel up to that.
Interrupting
Im sorry to interrupt, but
Could I just say something
If I could just add something to
that
I see what you mean, but
Yes, but
Encouraging
Why do you think that?
What makes you say that?
Its no good/no use
I cant see the/any point in
No way!
Complaining
Im afraid Ive got a complaint
Im sorry to say that I am very
disappointed with
Im afraid to say I have a number
of complaints about
Look, Im sorry to trouble you, but I
wonder if you could
Theres something Id like to talk
to you about. Its just that you
promised to
Criticising
Ive had enough of
Im fed up with
Its about time you did isnt it?
Its all your fault that
You could at least have
You shouldnt have
Why couldnt you
Apologizing
Oh, Im ever so sorry!
Oh dear! Im terribly sorry about
that. Ill see to it as soon as
possible.
Gosh, youre right. I forgot all
about it. Im sorry!
Im so sorry! Ill make sure it doesn
t happen again.

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Asking for an opinion
So, what do you think?
Do you like?
How do you like my?
Thanking
Thanks, Im glad you like it.
Thanks for saying so.
Youre so kind.
Complimenting
Well, that looks really nice.
Its really beautiful.
Mmmm, that smells superb.
I think its brilliant.
Thats absolutely delicious!
Ahh yes, its wonderful.
What a great idea!
It looks fantastic!
Asking for confirmation
Wasnt it who ?
It was who , wasnt it?
was the one who , wasnt he?
, didnt he?
Responding Positively
Yes, thats right.
Yes, I think it/he was/did.
Responding with Uncertainly
Oh, Im not sure.
Oh, it/he might have been.
Oh, I cant remember.
Responding Negatively
Ive no idea.
I havent a clue.
I couldnt tell you.
No way! It was who
Not at all! That was (name).
No, it wasnt.
Starting the conversation
Listen to this
Wait till you hear
Youll never guess/believe
Do you know?
Expressing surprise/disbelief
Thats
incredible/amazing/unbelievable!
I dont believe it!
Youre not serious, are you?
You cant be serious!
Yeah, right!
Expressing sympathy
How awful/terrible/embarrassing!
Commenting
That was lucky!
That was nice (of him, her, etc)
Oh, no/I hate that!
Congratulating
Congratulations!
Well done!
Brilliant/Excellent!/Super!
Im (really) happy for you!
Good for you!
Thats great/wonderful/fantastic
news!
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 ?
Do you know anything about ?
Do you have any idea what ?
Expressing ignorance/uncertainly
I havent the faintest idea!
I havent got a clue!
Im afraid I dont know.
Im not sure but I think it has to do
with
I might be wrong but I think it is
Introducing a topic
I heard the other day that
Somebody mentioned to me that
I read somewhere recently that
Did you know that ?
Asking about feelings
Does it worry you?
Do you worry about it?
Does it depress you?
Does it get you down?
Expressing fear and anxiety
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 Oh, its just horrible!
But thats so irresponsible!
Oh, its just ridiculous!
Oh, its so cruel!
Expressing negative feelings
The very thought of it makes me
sick.
I cant bear to think about it.
I hate to think about it.
It doesnt bear thinking about.
Expressing hope
Well, maybe people will get some
sense/see sense before its too
late/in the end.
Well, maybe all is not lost yet.
Well, maybe we can do something
before its too late.
Phrases / Expressions
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.
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.