GE2203

LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS
(A1 Beginner)
Greetings & Introductions
(Here are some sentences and expressions for greetings and introductions.)

Formal: Arriving Formal: Departing

Good morning/afternoon/evening. It was a pleasure seeing you.
Hello Mr. Santos, how are you? Goodbye.
Good day Sir / Madam (very formal) Goodnight. (use after 8 pm)
Hello, Ms. Bautista. How are you today?
Informal: Departing
Informal: Arriving Nice seeing you!
Hi / Hello! Bye!
How are you? See you later.
How are you doing? Later! (very informal)
Very well, thank you. And you? (formal)
Fine / Great! (informal) Introducing Yourself/Others
What’s up? (very informal) My name is…
Not much. Where are you from?
I’m just (watching TV, hanging out, cooking I’m from… (town/city, province, or country)
dinner, etc.) Are you… (Filipino, American, etc.)?
(name), I don’t think you’ve met (name).
Informal: After a Long Time I don’t think you know (name).
It’s great to see you! May I introduce you to (name)?
How have you been? (name), do you know (name)?
Long time, no see. (name), I’d like you to meet (name).
How are you doing these days? See you… (tomorrow, this weekend, next week,
etc.)
Have a nice… (day, evening, week, etc.

Short Questions & Answers

(Here are some sentences and expressions for short questions and answers.)

Yes and No Questions: Information Questions:

Are you happy today? Yes, I am.
Did you have fun at the party? No, I didn’t.
Will you come to class tomorrow? Yes, I will.
Can you play basketball/badminton/Mobile
Legends/etc.?
Do you speak another language? Yup/ Nope.
(informal)
Where are you from? I’m from Baguio.
What did you do on Saturday evening? We went
to see a movie.
Why was the class difficult? Ms. Reyes didn’t
explain things well.
General Questions
Where did you go? To the mall.
What did you do [next]? I went shopping.
Where were you? At home.

Numbers & Counting

(Here are some sentences and expressions for numbers and counting.)

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How many fingers do you have? I have eight
fingers.
You have eight fingers? Eight fingers and two
thumbs.
How many brothers does Mike have? He has four
(brothers).
How many students are in your class? Thirty-five,
including me.
How old is your sister? She is seventeen.
How many hours do you work every day? From
nine to five. Eight hours.
How many people are in the group? About forty.
How many cookies are left? Five or six.
How many toothpicks are in the box? More than a
hundred.
I have 15 clients in Zamboanga.
He ate three cookies.
She has 240 contacts on her mailing list.
His birthday is May fifth.
She is third in line, behind the guy in the cap.
I greeted her first, as she had been waiting the
longest.

Asking/Giving Personal Information

(Here are some sentences and expressions for asking and giving personal information.)

What’s your surname (last name, family name)? What is your telephone/mobile number?
My surname (last name, family name) is Lopez. My number is… [state phone number]
What’s your first name? How old are you?
My first name is Alberto. I am… [state age]
Where are you from? When/Where were you born?
I’m from… [place] What is your marital status?
What’s your job? (or, What do you do for a Are you married or single?
living?) I am married/single/engaged/separated
I’m a… [occupation] (divorced).
What’s your address? (or, Where do you live?) And what are your hobbies?
My address is… [state address] [state hobbies, for example, painting, biking,
What’s your email address? watching Netflix, etc.]

Expressing Likes & Dislikes/Favorite Things

(Here are some sentences and expressions for likes and dislikes or favorite things.)

Expressing Likes: I detest being stuck in a traffic jam.

I adore having a massage after work. It helps me I hate Mondays!
to relax. I loathe visiting the dentist.
I love shopping for clothes in the sales. I’ve got I can’t stand Sara’s new boyfriend, Bong.
some great bargains. Shopping drives me crazy.
I’m into making music. If you love something
I like inviting my friends around for dinner. I enjoy I love eating ice cream.
cooking a special meal for them. I adore sunbathing.
I like ice cream. She’s mad about that new K-pop boy band.
I have a soft spot for Leni. He’s crazy about that girl.
I’m quite keen on learning new languages.
I think Kiko’s idea is brilliant. If you like something a lot
She’s fond of chocolate.
Expressing Dislikes: I like swimming very much.
I’m not keen on watching Korean soap operas. He really likes that new Transformers movie.

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If you like something
He quite likes going to the cinema.
I like skateboarding.
If you neither like nor dislike something
I don’t mind doing the housework.
I don’t really care either way.
It’s all the same to me.
If you don’t like something
She doesn’t like K-dramas very much.
He’s not very fond of doing the laundry.
Talking about Family
(Here are some sentences and expressions about family.)
Common Family Members/Relatives:
Father – male parent
Mother – female parent
Parent – father/mother
Brother – male offspring having both parents in
common with another offspring; a male sibling
Sister – female offspring having both parents in
common with another offspring; female sibling
Sibling – brother/sister
Cousin – son/daughter of an uncle/ aunt
Aunt – sister of one’s father/ mother; an uncle’s
wife
Uncle – brother of one’s father/ mother; an aunt’s
husband
Nephew – son of one’s brother/sister; son of one’s
spouse’s brother/sister
Niece – daughter of a person’s brother/sister
Wife – married woman, especially when
considered in relation to her partner in
marriage
Husband – married man, especially when
considered in relation to his partner in
marriage
Spouse – either member of a married pair in
relation to the other; one’s husband/wife
Son – male child/person in relation to his parents
Daughter – female child/person in relation to her
parents
Child – son/daughter
Grandparent – parent of a parent
Grandmother – mother of one’s father/mother
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He’s not a great fan of Black Pink.
Drinking beer isn’t really his thing.
I dislike wasting time.
If you really dislike something
I don’t like ball sports at all.
He can’t stand his girlfriend.
She can’t bear cooking in a dirty kitchen.
I hate crowded supermarkets.
He detests being late.
She loathes animal products. She’s vegan.
Grandfather – father of one’s father/mother
Grandson – son of one’s son/daughter
Granddaughter – daughter of one’s son/daughter
Grandchild – child of one’s son/daughter
Stepmother – wife, by a later marriage, of one’s
parent
Stepfather – husband, by a later marriage, of
one’s parent
Stepson – son of one’s husband/wife by a previous
marriage
Stepdaughter – daughter of one’s husband/wife
by a previous marriage
Stepsister – one’s stepfather’s/stepmother’s
daughter by a previous marriage
Stepbrother – one’s stepfather’s son/stepmother’s
son by a previous marriage
Half-sister – female offspring having only one
parent in common with another offspring
Half-brother – male offspring having only one
parent in common with another offspring
Sister-in-law – sister of one’s spouse; wife of one’s
brother
Brother-in-law – brother of one’s spouse; husband
of one’s sister
Father-in-law – father of one’s spouse
Mother-in-law – mother of one’s spouse
Discussing Family:
How many brothers and sisters do you have?
I’ve got one older brother and two younger
sisters.
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How many siblings do you have?
I have two sisters, one older and one younger.
Do you have a big family?
My family consists of my mom, my stepdad, my
brother Leandro, and my dog Ruffo.
Do you have kids?
I have a 5-year-old daughter.
What’s your family like?
My family is very close. My sisters are my best
friends! We all get along really well and have
lots of fun together.
My big sister is 17 years old.
My little brother is turning 5 and going to school
this year.
My puppy is 1 year old, and my cat is 2. (animals
are also a part of the family)
My parents are over 60 years old, and they will
retire soon.
I have two kids: a 3-year-old son and a 1-year-old
daughter.
My mother and father have brown eyes, and so
do I. But my sister has black eyes!
I got my curly black hair from my dad. My mom
has brown hair!
I’m married to a twin!
My family is small. It’s just me, my mama, and my
papa.
I take after my dad, but my sister takes after our
mom.
My sister is shorter than me, but she’s also pretty!

Identifying People & Things

(Here are some sentences and expressions for identifying people and things.)

This is [name]. I would like to introduce myself, my name is…

That is [name]. Tell us about yourself.
[name] is a writer. Where do you come from?
[name] is a barber. I come from…
[name] is an artist. What is your family like?
He is a photographer. I have a… (big/small family)
She is a secretary. Do you have any brothers or sisters?
He’s a dentist. I have a… (brother and two sisters)
She’s a doctor. No, I’m an only child.
I am a computer programmer. How old are you?
I’m a businessman/ businesswoman/ I am… years old.
businessperson/ entrepreneur. Do you have a partner?
I’m not a mechanic. I am single/married.
We are writers. I have a girlfriend/boyfriend.
They are engineers. Are you new here?
You are a student. Are you a…? (student)
You are students. What do you study?
This is an apple. I study… (biology, history)
This is a banana. What do you do?
That is an orange. I am a… (student, teacher)
That is not a tomato. I work in a… (coffee shop, fast-food restaurant)
It is a telephone.
It’s a horse. How’s your new project going?
It’s not an airplane. It’s going really well.
Great! Do you work with the digital team?
What is your name? Yes, I’m helping them with a new website.
My name is… So, do you know Rhoda?

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Yes, I do. I just emailed her. Oh… I still need to discuss the contract with her.
She’s lovely, isn’t she? I worked with her in my I see. OK…
last job. That’s her!
Yup, I like her a lot. Good luck!
She’s very good at her job. She’s an excellent Thanks.
marketer. Hello, Rhoda. Sandra speaking!
Really? Hello again! Good luck, Sandra!
Yeah, she always gets what she wants.

Telling the Time

(Here are some sentences and expressions for telling the time.)

Asking the Time: Giving the Time:

What time is it? It’s exactly/ about/ almost/ just gone…
What is the time? Sure, it is…
Do you have the time? 4:30
Do you know what time it is? It is seven past ten.
Can you tell me what time it is, please? (polite) The time is 9 o’clock.
Could you tell me the time, please? (polite) Sorry, I am not wearing a watch.

Event happening: It is five o’clock. (5:00) or It’s five. (less formal)

What time…? It’s ten o’clock (10:00) or It’s ten. (less formal)
When…? It is seven o’clock (07:00) or It’s seven. (less
formal)
It’s one o’clock (01:00) or It’s one. (less formal)

Talking about Here & Now

(Here are some sentences talking about here and now.)

Something that is true in the present:
They live next door to us.
She works for the NBI.
Something that happens regularly in the present:
The students come home from school at about
six.
We often see your kid brother at the internet
cafe.
Something that is always true:
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
Manila is the capital of the Philippines.
Something happening at the moment of speaking:
I can’t hear you. I’m listening to a Spotify podcast.
Please be quiet. My pet dogs are sleeping.
Something happening regularly in the present
before and after a specific time:
I’m usually having breakfast at this time in the
early morning.
When I see Tony, he’s usually reading his Marvel
comics.
Something in the present which is temporary:
Steve is at STI. He’s studying computer
programming.
I love Stranger Things. I’m watching the last
season.
Something which is new and contrasts with a
previous state:
Nowadays people are sending text/chat messages
instead of calling by phone.

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I hear you’ve moved house. Where are you living
now?
Something which is changing, growing, or
developing:
The weather is getting hotter due to climate
change.
Our pet puppies are growing up quickly.
Something which happens again and again:
It’s always raining in June.
My parents are always arguing.
The Joker is great. He’s always laughing.
Talking about Past Actions/Experiences
(Here are some sentences and expressions for past actions and experiences.)
Something happened once in the past:
The Star Wars movie started at seven-thirty.
We arrived in Batangas before dark.
Something true for some time in the past:
Everybody studied hard through the summer.
We stayed with our friends in Baguio.
Something happened several times in the past:
Most evenings, we stayed at home and watched
Netflix.
Sometimes he went out for a meal.
Most evenings, we used to stay at home and
watch DVDs.
We used to go for a swim every morning.
Most evenings, she would take the pitbull for a
walk.
They would often visit friends in Pampanga.
Something happened before and after a specific
time in the past:
It was just after eleven. I was watching the latest
news on TV.
At half-time, our basketball team was losing 2–0.
Something happened before and after another
action in the past:
He broke his leg and sprained his ankle when he
was skateboarding.
She saw Coco Martin as he was driving away.
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Talking about the present when not sure of
something:
I don’t know where Harry is. He might be
practicing with his magic wand.
Who’s knocking at the door? I don’t know. It could
be the barangay tanods.
Talking about things like ability and obligation:
I can speak Tagalog quite well but I can’t speak
Ilocano at all.
You should do your homework before you go out
of your room.
Looking back from a point in the past to
something earlier in the past:
Princess Leia suddenly remembered she had left
the Death Star plans in the cafeteria.
When we had done all our shopping, we caught
the P2P bus home.
They wanted to buy the new Playstation model,
but they hadn’t saved enough money.
We would have bought a new gaming computer if
we had saved enough money.
Something started in the past and continues in the
present:
We have lived here since 2019 during the Covid-
19 pandemic. [and we still live here]
I have been a service crew working at Jollibee for
over ten months.
Something happened in the past but is important
in the present:
I can’t open the gate. I’ve left my keys in the
office.
Jenny has found a new job. She works in a call
center now.
Referring to a time not yet finished:
Have you seen Scooby Doo today?
We have bought a new Android TV this week.
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Talking about the future from a time in the past:
He thought he would buy a new cell phone the
next day.
Everyone was excited. The birthday party would
be fun.
Kris was going to drive and Keira was going to
follow on her bicycle.
It was Friday. We were going to set off the next
day.
It was September. Leo was starting college the
next week.
My siblings were very busy. Their guests were
arriving soon and they had to get their room
ready.
You could get a good meal for ten pesos when I
was a boy.
He said he would come after school but he forgot.
Talking about Possibilities/Future Arrangements
(Here are some sentences and expressions for possibilities and future arrangements.)
Something scheduled:
We have a Math lesson next Monday.
The UV Express van arrives at 6:30 in the morning.
The Holy Week holidays start next week.
It’s my birthday tomorrow.
Talking about plans, arrangements, and
intentions:
I’m going to bike to school today.
They are going to move to Mandaue.
They’ll be coming to see us next week.
I’ll be driving to work tomorrow.
I’m playing basketball tonight.
They are coming to see us next month.
We’re having a house party at Christmas.
What are you going to do next year? I’d like to go
to STI College.
We plan to go to Benguet for our holidays.
My parents want to buy a new car.
Expressing beliefs about the future:
It will be a nice day tomorrow.
I think Gilas Pilipinas will win the FIBA World Cup.
I’m sure you will enjoy the horror film.
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Something possibly happened in the past:
I’ll telephone him. He might have got home early.
She’s very late. She could have missed her Grab
taxi.
I didn’t know Mario was ill. He should have told
me.
Maria shouldn’t have spent so much money.
Something possible in the past but did not
happen:
I could have gone to Boracay for my holiday but it
was too expensive.
I would have called you, but I had forgotten my
mobile phone.
They would have gone out if the weather had
been better.
Wanting or willing:
I hope you will come to my debut party.
Adrian says he will help us with the exhibit.
Talking about offers and promises:
I’ll see you tomorrow evening.
We’ll send you an email.
Jimmy will be at the club meeting.
Janice will help with the cooking.
Making predictions based on visual evidence:
Be careful! You are going to fall. ( I can see that
you might fall.)
Look at those black clouds. I think it’s going to
rain. ( I can see that it will rain.)
Happening before and after a specific time in the
future:
I’ll be working at eight o’clock. Can you come
later?
They’ll be waiting for you when you arrive.
When not sure about the future:
I might stay at home tonight or I might go to the
mall.
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We could see Wanda at the meeting. She
sometimes goes.
Talking about Frequency & Duration
(Here are some sentences and expressions for frequency and duration.)
We often spend Christmas with friends.
I have never enjoyed myself so much.
He was always tired in the evening.
He is very rarely late for work.
We nearly always spend Easter with friends.
We go to the mall a lot.
We go to church a lot on Sundays.
We don’t go out much/a lot. (We don’t go out
often.)
There is a big celebration every year.
We have a meeting twice every week.
I usually go home once every two months.
There is a leap year every four years.
We have a meeting every Monday.
We go on holiday every August.
We will email you every other day. (on alternate
days)
We go to see my mother every other week. (in
alternate weeks)
Expressing Thanks & Congratulating
(Here are some sentences on expressing thanks and congratulating.)
Congratulating (formal):
You deserve a pat on the back.
So pleased to see you accomplishing great things.
Words cannot express how happy I am for you.
Much success in your future endeavors.
You should feel proud of yourself.
We are proud to have you as part of our team.
Well done on your achievement.
You have every reason to be proud.
Kudos on your success.
My heartiest congratulations to you.
Very best wishes for your success.
Congratulating (professional):
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Chance of something happening:
We should be home in time for dinner.
The online game should be over by ten o’clock.
I go swimming twice a week.
I see my old school friends four or five times a
year.
Most companies pay taxes yearly.
The manager checks the toilets every hour.
The directors meet weekly to review the film's
progress.
Every day, more than five thousand people die on
our roads.
We usually go shopping on Saturdays.
I have often done that.
She is always late.
Sometimes they come and stay with us.
I play badminton occasionally.
We see our classmates rarely.
Edwin eats meat very seldom.
How often do you go to the bathroom?
How often have you been here?
Do you ever go to the mall at night?
Have you ever been to Manila?
We are delighted to congratulate you.
I extend my sincere congratulations.
Heartfelt congratulations on your success.
Our warmest congratulations go out to you.
Let us join together in congratulating you.
Many congratulations on your success.
It gives us great pleasure to congratulate you.
We are proud to offer our congratulations.
Congratulating (idiomatic):
Hats off to you!
You knocked it out of the park.
You’ve hit a home run.
Bravo to you!
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It’s well deserved and long overdue. I humbly thank you.

You’ve definitely earned your stripes. Please accept my best thanks.
Good going! I thank you most warmly.
A toast to your success! Your generosity overwhelms me.
My gratitude knows no bounds.
Congratulating (informal): I couldn’t have done it without you.
Respects! I’m really grateful for your help.
Fantastic! It was so awesome of you.
Hats off! I really appreciate everything you’ve done.
Sensational! I really want to thank you for your help.
Well done! What would I do without you?
Good job! Accept my endless gratitude.
You rock! All my love and thanks to you.
Nice going! Consider yourself heartily thanked.
Good show/going! How can I ever possibly thank you?
Good for/on you! How can I ever thank you enough?
Good one mate! How can I show you how grateful I am?
I am impressed! I do not know what I would do without you.
Way to go! It is hard to find words to express my gratitude.
You did it! I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
You’re a genius/the best! I will never forget what you have done.
You’ve got it! If anyone deserves thanks, it’s you.
Pat on the back! Words can’t describe how thankful I am.
That’s the way!
That’s the best ever! Expressing thanks (informal):
You did it that time! Thanks!
You make it look easy. Many thanks!
You really deserved it. Thanks a lot!
You did that very well. Thanks a bunch!
What a good try! You’re a dear/an angel.
Many happy returns! Thanks a million!
Thanks so much!
Expressing thanks (formal): You’re too kind.
I appreciate your time. You are the best.
How thoughtful of you! All I can say is, thanks!
Please accept my deepest thanks. Thanks for everything!
I’m grateful for your assistance. Thanks a ton!
Thank you very much. I owe you one.
I want you to know how much I value your You made my day.
support. You saved my day.
I wanted to thank you as soon as possible. You’re a lifesaver.
It’s very kind of you. You’re awesome.
I wish to thank everyone who pitched in. You’re great.
Thank you for everything.

Requesting
(Here are some sentences and expressions for requesting.)

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Making requests: Do you think you could take me to the

Will/Would/Can/Could you please… supermarket?
Do you mind…? Could I ask you to take me home?
Do you think you could…? Can you tell me what happened here?
Do you think it would be possible to…? Would you come to my birthday party?
Would it be possible for you to…? Would it be possible for you to come here at 8
Would there be any possibility of… AM?
Would you be kind enough to…?
Would you mind…? Accepting Requests:
Can/could you… for me, please? Sure, I’d be glad to…
Could you possibly… I’d be happy to…
I’d appreciate it if you could… Sure. Just a moment.
Can/Could I ask you to…? No problem.
You couldn’t… could you? Of course.
Certainly.
Can you give me the book? All right.
Could you please take off your ball cap?
Could you please take me to the dentist? Refusing Requests:
Would you mind opening the window for me, I’m sorry, I can’t.
please? I’m sorry, but…
Would you be kind enough to repair my I’d loved to, but…
laptop/computer? Sorry to say that…
It sounds great, but…

Asking Permission
(Here are some sentences and expressions for asking permission.)

Asking for Permission:

Can I go out tonight?
Can my boyfriend have dinner with us?
May I have another piece of cake?
May we go out with our friends tonight?
Could I please go with Mommy to the movie?
Could we please go on a trip this weekend?
Do you think I could use your cell phone?
Do you think I could borrow your bike?
Would it be possible for me to use your
laptop/computer for a few minutes?
Would it be possible for us to study in this room?
Would you mind if I stayed a few more minutes?
Would you mind if I took a five-minute break?
Would you mind my using your PlayStation?
Would you mind my playing your guitar?
Granting Permission:
Sure.
No problem.
Go right ahead.
Please feel free to…
Refusing a Favor/Denying Permission:
I'm afraid I'd prefer if you didn't/don't.
Sorry, but I'd rather you not do that.
Unfortunately, I need to say no.
I'm afraid that's not possible.
I'm afraid I can't let you borrow my car, but I
could drive you instead.
I can't babysit your daughter. How about I call my
sister for you instead?
I wish I could help out; maybe another time.

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