Functions
FUNCTIONS
Asking for advice Giving advice
What should I do? I think you should (not) ….
What do you advise me to do? I’d advise you (not) to …
What ought I to do? You ought (not) to …
Do you think I should …? You’d better (not) …
Would you advise me to …?
Complaining Apologising
I’m sorry to have to say this but … I’m awfully/terribly/so sorry.
I hate to mention this, but … I didn’t mean to.
I’m sorry to bother you , but … I really don’t know what to say.
I’m afraid I have a complaint. I apologise; I didn’t do it on purpose.
Asking for opinions Giving opinions
What do you think about …? I think/believe (that) …
Do you really think/believe that …? In my opinion, …
Don’t you think that …? In my view, …
As I see it, …
Agreeing Disagreeing
I entirely agree. I’m not sure I quite agree.
I couldn’t agree more. I’m afraid I don’t agree.
That’s a good point. I see what you mean, but …
You’re absolutely right. I don’t think so.
Making requests Accepting Refusing
Can you … please? Sure/Certainly. I’m sorry I can’t.
Will you … please? Of course. I’m afraid I can’t.
Would you mind …ing? With pleasure I’d love to, but …
Could you possibly …? By all means.
I would be grateful if you could …
I wonder if you could …
Responding to good news Responding to bad news
That’s great/fantastic/wonderful news! That’s awful/terrible!
What great/splendid/wonderful news! I’m so sorry to hear that.
Congratulations You poor thing! What hard luck!
DEFINING
The gender gap refers to the differences between men and women.
The gender gap is referred to as being the differences between men and women.
By gender gap we mean the differences between men and women.
The gender gap is the differences between men and women.
CONTRAST and CONCESSION
Brain drain may favour the spread of knowledge, but / however / yet /nevertheless it
empties poor countries of their elites.
Although brain drain favours the spread of knowledge, it empties poor countries of their
elites.
Despite / In spite of favouring the spread of knowledge, it empties poor countries of their
elites.
CAUSE and EFFECT
As/Because/Since laughter is contagious, it binds people together.
Because of / Owing to / Due to its contagiousness, laughter binds people together.
Laughter is contagious. Therefore / So / Thus / Consequently / Because of this / As a
result, it binds people together.
The contagiousness of laughter results in / leads to / causes / is the cause of binding
people together.
EXPRESSING PURPOSE
We left early so as to / in order to / to avoid traffic jams?
She gave up fatty food so as not to / in order not to put on weight.
The parents work hard so that / in order that their children live a better life.
She did her best so that / in order that his parents would be proud of her.
ADDITION
Educated women have fewer children. And / Moreover / Besides / Also / Furthermore / In
addition they bring them up properly.
Educated women not only have fewer children but they bring them up
properly too / as well.
Asking for clarification / Expressing misunderstanding:
Excuse me I don’t really don’t understand whet you mean.
I’m afraid But I’m not sure I understand what you mean.
I’m sorry Can you explain more what you are aiming at?
EXPRESSING REGRET
I wish / if only I had exercised more.
I should have exercised more.
EXPRESSING CERTAINTY
I am positive / sure/ certain the depression will continue.
There is no doubt the depression will continue.
The depression will certainly / undoubtedly / surely continue.