LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS

www.commonenglishphrases.com/2011/07/english-functions-and-phrases/

ASKING FOR AND GIVING OPINIONS –

Asking for Opinions

I: What about … ?

I: How do you feel about … ?

SF:What do you think of …?

SF: What’s your opinion of …?

F: What’s your position on…?

F: I was wondering where you stood on the question of … ?

Giving Opinions

I: I think…

I: I recon…

SF: In my opinion…

SF: From my point of view…

F: As far as I am concerned…

F: It would seem to me that …

PHRASES AND EXPRESSIONS FOR GIVING EXPLANATIONS

F: The amin reason for doing this is to …

F: Taking into account …, it was clear that …

SF: The most important point seems to me that …

SF: It seems obvious that …

I: It is important that …

I: … because I am sure that …

Let me give you a few examples from the emails I’ve sent so far, where I’m
using phrases for explaining and justifying:

1. The main reason for insisting on you sending us a joint invoice, is to simplify and
speed up the payment procedure.

2. It is important to remember that we have agreed on the mentioned price because

of the large amount of the goods you’ve ordered.

3. The main point is that you should pay by the end of next week in order for us to
start the production of TS2094 item.

ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION

F: I’m afraid I am not quite clear what you mean by …

F: I’m sorry, I don’t understand what you mean by …
SF: I’m sorry, but could you explain what you mean by …
SF: What do you mean by … ?
I: What exactly are you trying to say ?
I: What (exactly) are you getting at ?

Asking for Clarification E-mail Examples

“I’m afraid I haven’t understood what you meant when you said that we are late for
booking the container”
“Hi Jo. Thank you for your prompt reply. Could you explain what “GSM” means, and
how come that your and our GSMs don’t match ?”
“I’m not quite clear what you were referring to when you mentioned extra charges in
your previous e-mail. Could you clarify it, please.”

EXPRESSIONS OF AGREEMENT

Strong agreement phrases:

(F) That’s absolutely true!

(F) I couldn’t agree more!

(SF) I take your point.

(SF) Quite!

(I) I’d go along with you on that.

(I) I was just going to say that.

Weak agreement phrases:

(F) Well, you’ve got a point there!

(SF) There’s something in that (I suppose).

(I) I guess you could be right.

EXPRESSING DISAGREEMENT

F: I disagree entirely.

F: I wouldn’t go along with you.

SF: I’m afraid I disagree.

SF: I tend to disagree with that.

SF: You can’t be serious.

I: How on earth can you say such a thing ?

I: No way!

Personal Point of View

We use these words and phrases to express a personal point of view:

 In my experience…
 As far as I'm concerned…
 Speaking for myself…
 In my opinion…
 Personally, I think…
 I'd say that…
 I'd suggest that…
 I'd like to point out that…
 I believe that…
 What I mean is…

General Point of View

We use these words and phrases to express a point of view that is generally thought
by people:

 It is thought that...
 Some people say that...
 It is considered...
 It is generally accepted that...
Agreeing with an opinion
We use these words and phrases to agree with someone else's point of view:

 Of course.
 You're absolutely right.
 Yes, I agree.
 I think so too.
 That's a good point.
 Exactly.
 I don't think so either.
 So do I.
 I'd go along with that.
 That's true.
 Neither do I.
 I agree with you entirely.
 That's just what I was thinking.
 I couldn't agree more.

Disagreeing with an opinion

We use these words and phrases to disagree with someone else's point of view:

 That's different.
 I don't agree with you.
 However…
 That's not entirely true.
 On the contrary…
 I'm sorry to disagree with you, but…
 Yes, but don't you think…
 That's not the same thing at all.
 I'm afraid I have to disagree.
 I'm not so sure about that.
 I must take issue with you on that.
 It's unjustifiable to say that...

The most common phrases to express preferences are as follows:

F: “I tend to prefer -ing… to -ing… ” or “I tend to prefer X to Y”

e.g. I tend to prefer learning English to learning Spanish.

F: I’m (rather) more interested in X than Y

e.g. X= politics, Y= music, She is more interested in politics than music.

SF: I much prefer -ing… to … -ing

e.g. I much prefer singing to playing.

SF: -ing … appeals to me more than … – ing

e.g. Eating sandwiches appeals to me more than making them

I: I like X better than Y, or I like -ing better than -ing

e.g. I like chocolate better than biscuits. or I like painting better than drawing.

I: I prefer X to Y

e.g. I prefer Simon to George.

USEFUL PHRASES FOR MAKING PROPOSALS

If you’d like to put forward plans and proposals decide on one formal (F), one semi-
formal (SF) and one informal (I) phrase to use in three different situations*

FORMAL (F)

 I would like to put forward a proposal that …

 I would like to propose that…

SEMI-FORMAL (SF)

 What I suggest is to …
 There’s only one way to …

INFORMAL (I)

 I’ve got an idea ! If… / we could … / why not …

TALKING IN FAVOUR OF A PROPOSAL

Formal phrases:

 I’m completely behind the proposal to …

 I thoroughly approve of …

Semi-formal phrases:

 I agree with you on …

 The proposal to do… has my full support.
Informal phrases:

 I’d like to support the proposal to …

 Thumbs up

Agreeing and Disagreeing

1. Agreement

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- I agree completely (with what you say).
- That's just/exactly what I think/believe.
- In my opinion, you are right/correct.
- That's my opinion, too.
- I couldn't agree more.
- There's no doubt about it.
- You can say that again!
- You bet!
2. Disagreement

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- I disagree with what you're saying.
- I don't agree with you/think so/see it that way.
- I couldn't agree less.
- I couldn't disagree more.
- You've got to be joking/kidding!
- You can't really be serious!
- Come off it!
3. Polite disagreement

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- I respect your opinion/You have a right to your opinion, but I think...
- I'm not sure I can agree with what you say about...
- I understand what you're saying but...
- You could be right, but...
- But I thought...
- Yes, but...

Getting Attention
Sample phrases (from formal to informal)
A: Pardon me/Excuse me, Dr. Scott.
B: Yes? What can I do for you?
A: Waiter?
B: Yes? Can I help you?
A: Hey, Ben.
B: Yeah?

Interrupting a Conversation

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: Pardon the interruption/Pardon me/Excuse me, but...
B: What can I do for you?
A: I don't want to/hate to interrupt you, but...
B: It's all right. How can I help?
A: I'm sorry, but...
B: It's OK.

Expressing Opinions

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- I'm of the opinion that...
- As far as I am concerned...
- From my point of view...
- In my opinion...
- I think/believe/feel that...
- It seems to me that...
- As I see it...
- If you ask me...
- To be (quite) honest/ (Quite) honestly...

Asking People to Express Their Opinions

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- I'd be interested to know your thoughts on/what you think about...
- What's your point of view on...
- What's your opinion on/of/about...
- What do you think about...
- How do you feel about...

Expressing Sympathy and Responding

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

 A: I am/was deeply/truly sorry to hear about your grandmother. I understand
what you're going through right now.
B: Thank you very much. I'm deeply moved/touched.
A: I was sorry/shocked/upset to hear you didn't win the scholarship. I know
how disappointed you must feel.
B: I appreciate your sympathy/kindness. I hope I'll do better next year.
A: How shocking/awful to hear about your accident. Are you OK?
B: It's very nice/kind of you to be so concerned but really, I'm fine now.
A: Too bad you didn't get the raise. I was hoping you would!
B: Thanks for your support. Sometimes things don't go the way we want, do
they?

Making and Responding to Requests

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: Could I trouble/bother you to lend me $200?
B: (positive) Of course, it's no problem/trouble (at all).
B: (negative) It's impossible for me because I've only got $150.
A: Could you please take me to the airport tomorrow morning?
B: (positive) Certainly.
B: (negative) I wish I could, but I've got an appointment at 8:30.
A: Will you help me fix this error, please?
B: (positive) Sure. I'll be glad to.
B: (negative) I'm afraid I can't. I don't know anything about computers.
A: Would you mind letting me borrow your book?
B: (positive) No, not at all.
B: (negative) I'm sorry, but I need it for next week's exam.
A: I'd like you to pick up some oil on the way home, if you have time.
B: (positive) No problem.
B: (negative) I can't do that because I won't be back until 11:00.
A: How/What about cleaning your room today?
B: (positive) No sweat.
B: (negative) Sorry. I'm going out with Lucy.

Offering to Help and Responding

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: May/Can I help you?
B: (positive) Yes, please. I'd like to buy some jewelry.
B: (negative) No, thank you. I'm just looking/browsing.
A: Would you like/Do you need some help?
B: (positive) Yes. That would be great. Thank you.
B: (negative) Thank you for offering, but I think I can manage it.
A: It looks/You look as if you could do with some help!
B: (positive) I sure could! I'm glad you came along.
B: (negative) Thanks. I think I've got it.

Greeting People and Responding to Greetings

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)
A: Good day, Mr. Smith. How are you?
B: I'm fine, thank you. And you?
A: Good evening, Mrs. Baker. How are you tonight?
B: Great, thanks. What about you?
A: Hello, Barry. How're you doing?
B: Okay, I guess. You doing all right?
A: 'Morning, Laura. Are you doing okay?
B: Can't complain. How about you?
A: Hey, Ted. How's it going?
B: Couldn't be better! Yourself?
A: Hi, Joe. What's happening?
B: Not much. You?

Saying Goodbye

1. Preclosings and Responses

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

a. Time-Related Expressions
A: Well, I'm afraid I have to be going.
B: Thank you for coming.
A: I've got to go/run. It's getting late.
B: All right. Take care of yourself.
b. Pleasantries
A: It's been a wonderful evening.
B: Yes, I've enjoyed it.
A: I've enjoyed talking to you.
B: Me, too.
c. Wishes to Keep in Touch
A: Why don't we get together sometime?
B: I'd like that.
A: Drop by and see me sometime.
B: Sure thing.
2. Closings and Responses

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: Goodbye.
B: Goodbye.
A: Have a nice day.
B: You, too.
A: See you later/around.
B: So long.
Making and Responding to Introductions

1. Third-party introductions

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: It's my pleasure to introduce Dr. Smith.
B: How do you do?
C: How do you do?
A: I'd like to introduce Mr. Thomson.
B: I'm glad to meet you.
C: The pleasure is mine.
A: Let me introduce you to Tony Brown.
B: Pleased to meet you.
C: Nice meeting you, too.
A: I'd like you to meet Barbara.
B: Good to meet you.
C: I've heard so much about you.
A: This is Sam.
B: Nice to meet you.
C: Same here.
2. Self-introductions

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: May I introduce myself? I'm Timothy Johnson.
B: It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Mary Leslie.
A: Hello. My name is Gordon Brown.
B: How do you do? I'm Helen Bradley.
A: I don't think we've met. I'm Pat.
B: Good to meet you. I'm Lisa.
A: Hi. I'm Ted.
B: Hi. I'm Sandy.

Making, Accepting and Refusing Invitations

1. Making Invitations

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- I would like to invite you to dinner next Sunday at my home.
- I was wondering if you'd like to come to dinner on Wednesday evening.
- Would you like/care to have dinner with us on Saturday?
- What/How about dinner tonight?
- Let's go to our place for dinner.
2. Accepting Invitations

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- Thanks for your invitation. I'd be delighted to.
 - Thank you. I'd love to.
- Yes, thanks. That would be great/wonderful.
- Sounds great/like fun.
- OK/All right.
3. Refusing Invitations

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- I'm awfully/terribly sorry. I have other plans for that night.
- I'd really like to, but I have an appointment that day.
- Thanks for asking, but I'm afraid I'm busy.
- I can't. I've got a lot of work to do.
- Sorry. I'm already tied up.
4. Hesitating

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- Thank you, but I'll have to check my calendar. Do you mind if I tell you on
Monday?
- I'm not sure what my plans are. Could I get back to you tomorrow?
- I might be busy. I'll let you know later.

Asking for Information and Giving Directions

Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

A: Pardon me. Could you please tell me the way to the nearest post office?
B: Go two blocks west and turn left. It's opposite the supermarket.
A: Could you tell me when the next train leaves?
B: In fifteen minutes, at 8:00.
A: Can you help me? Is there a bank near here?
B: Yes, beside the movie theater.
A: Excuse me. How much is a ticket?
B: $90 one way.
A: Do you have the time?
B: Fifteen to four.