Communication: summary

I. Request :
Making request Responding to request
 Can you open the door?  Of course/ with pleasure.
 Will you open the door?  Sure./ No problem.
 Would you open the door?  Certainly
 Could you open the door?  Sorry, I can’t
 would you mind opening the door?  I ‘m afraid I can’t
 Do you mind opening the door  I’d love to, but I can’t.

II. Expressing lack of understanding and asking for clarification :

Expressing lack of understanding Asking for clarification
 I didn’t understand  What do you mean ?
 I can’t understand  Could /can you be more explicit ?
 I don’t quite follow you  Would you clarify/explain that , please ?
 I ‘m not sure I got your point  I wonder if you could say that in a different
 I can’t get your idea/ I beg your pardon. Way.

III. Complaining and Apologizing :

Making a complaint Accepting a complaint and Responding to apology
apologizing
 Sorry to say this, but you………….  I ‘m sorry but this will  Never mind
 I’ve been patient long enough, never happen again.  It’s ok
but………….  I ‘m really sorry, (we  Forget about it
 Sorry, I have a complaint about will arrange this).  Don’t worry about it
………….  I do apologize.  Don’t mention it.
 I’m afraid I’ve got a complaint  I can’t tell you how  Apology accepted.
about……….. Sorry I am.
 I want to complain about…………

IV. Asking for and giving Opinion :

Giving opinion Asking about an opinion
 In my opinion …………  What’s your opinion about ….. ?
 I think ………../ for me …/ to my mind …….  What do you think about ….. ?
 It seems to me that……………  Are you for or against ?
 To be honest, …….  Do you think that…….?
 Personally speaking ,……………  What are your views about …… ?
 As far as I am concerned , I …………..

V. Agreeing and Disagreeing :

Agreeing with an opinion Disagreeing with an opinion
 I agree with you (100%)  I disagree with you (100%)
 You are absolutely right ( 100%)  I partially disagree with you (50%)
 That’s true (100%)  I ‘m afraid you are wrong (100%)
 I partially agree with you (50%)  I don’t think so (100%)

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 VI. Expressing Regret :
Expressing regret Examples
(He immigrated to Spain , he suffered from racial abuse,
now he regrets it ) :
 If only + sbj + had + past participle  If only I had not immigrated
 If only I had stayed with my family

 Sbj + wish + sbj + had + past participle  I wish I had not immigrated
 I wish I had stayed among my family

VII. Asking for and giving Advice :

Asking for advice Giving advice
 What should I do ?  If I were you , I would………….
 What do you think I should do ?  You should……………/ you shouldn’t ….
 What would you do if you were in my place?  You ought to ……….. / you oughtn’t to ……
 What do you advise me to do?  I advise you to ……
 Why don’t you ……..

VIII. Certainty and uncertainty :

Expressing certainty Expressing uncertainty
 It must be ……………….  I am not certain / I’m uncertain
 I am certain  I am not sure
 I am sure  I am doubtful
 I do believe that …………………….  It might be…/ It could be …..
 Certainly / undoubtedly/ definitely.  I doubt that.

IX. Expressing and responding to Good and Bad News :

Expressing good news Responding to news
 I ‘ve got some good news to tell you :  Great news !
 You / I succeeded in the exam  Congratulations!
 Happy to hear that/ That sounds exciting.
 Fantastic ! / that’s great./

Expressing bad news Responding to bad news

 I ‘ve got some bad news :  That must be awful.
 My /your son had an accident  Oh dear !/ My goodness!
 My deepest sympathy is with you
 My heart is saddened by that
 I am really sorry to hear that.

X. Making Suggestions :
Making suggestions

 Let’s … +(verb)
 What about … +(verb+ing)?
 I suggest … +(verb+ing)
 Why don’t you … +(verb)?
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