Functions

Expressing opinion
ASKING FOR OPINION

What do you think about… ?

What’s your opinion about… ?
How do you feel about… ?
Where do you stand on the question of… ?
What’s your reaction about… ?
What are your views on...?
What are your views on...?

GIVING OPINION
I think...
As far as I'm concerned,..
To my mind,...
According to me,...
As I see it, ...
It seems to me that...
In my point of view / my opinion,....
From my point of view...
I am of the opinion that...
I take the view that. ..
My personal view is that...
In my experience...
As far as I understand / can see/see it

AGREEING
I agree with this opinion.
I completely agree with this view.
This is absolutely right.
I couldn't / can't agree more.
You’re absolutely right.
I share the same opinion/idea.
Ican’t agree more.

DISAGREEING
I'm afraid. I can't agree with you. I
disagree with you. I don't agree with
you. I'm not sure I agree with you. I
think you're wrong

LACK OF UNDERSTANDING AND ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION

How to express lack of understanding
When you fail to understand what has been said to you you can use these expressions:
I beg your pardon?
I beg your pardon, but I don't quite understand.
I'm not quite sure I know what you mean.
I'm not quite sure I follow you.
I don't quite see what you mean.
I'm not sure I got your point.
 Sorry, I didn't quite hear what you said.
Sorry, I didn't get your point.
I don't quite see what you're getting at.

How you ask for clarification

When you don't understand what someone has said, you can ask for clarification using
the following expressions:
What do you mean by...?
Do you mean...?
Could you say that again, please?
Could you repeat please?
Could you clarify that, please?
Would you elaborate on that, please?
Could you be more explicit?
Could you explain what you mean by...?
Could you give us an example?
I wonder if you could say that in a different way.
Could you put it differently, please?
Could you be more specific, please?

Expressing Purpose
Purpose with to, in order to and so as to
Use to , so as to, and in order to to express purpose in the affirmative form.
Examples:
He is looking for a part time job to save some pocket money.
She wakes up early in order to be on time to work.
They visited him so as to offer their condolences for the death of his wife.

Use so as not to and in order not to to express purpose in the negative form.
Examples:
They woke up early in order not to be late.
She exercises regularly so as not to get fat.
He helped the new policewoman so as not to fail in her first mission.

Purpose with so that

You can also express purpose with so that. In this case you generally need to use a modal.
Examples:
She told him to play quiet so that he wouldn't disturb the neighbors.
He got a visa so that he can travel to the USA.
He decided to stay in England for a while so that he could practice his English.

Cause and effect

Examples
The police arrested him because he broke into a bank.
The police arrested him since he broke into a bank.
She can't read the letter as she is illiterate.
He can't run fast for he is too fat.
Thanks to his intelligence, he managed to solve the problem.
Owing to the bad weather, they didn't go for a picnic.

Other ways to express cause and effect:

You can also express cause and effect as follows:
The cause of …is…
 …is caused by / is due to …
Thanks to ...

Ex : the cause of global warming is pollution.

Global warming is caused by pollution.
Global warming is due to pollution.

Expressions of « EFFECT »

as a result, as a consequence, consequently, therefore, hence, so, then, thus, as an effect, for
this reason,

Ex: It was raining so they did not go out.

Addition, Contrast and Concession

Addition
To add information, you can use these expressions:
in addition, - as well as - moreover - what is more - not only...but also... - furthermore -
besides - also - too - and...
If the project fails this will have terrible consequences not only on our department, but also
on the whole organization
John's grades are terrible because he has been so lazy these days. In addition to this, his
relationship to his parents got worse.
The report is badly written. Moreover, it's inaccurate.

Concession
To express concession, you can use these expressions: although - even though - in
spite of / despite - however - yet - nevertheless – nonetheless

Brain drain has terrible consequences on the developing countries. Nevertheless,

nothing has been done to solve the problem or at least reduce its negative effects.
In spite of / despite Fred's old age, he goes jogging every morning.
Although she's very nice, her classmates hate her.
They have got two children, a boy and girl. The boy looks after his father whereas
the girl looks after the mother.

Contrast
To express contrast, you can use these expressions: on the contrary - whereas - on the one hand ...but
on the other hand... - conversely - but...- in contrast to

On the one hand he’s a world champion in karate, but on the other hand he is a great poet.
In contrast to the party they had last week, this one is fantastic.
I do not agree that his latest book is disappointing. On the contrary, I think it’s a
masterpiece.

HOW TO DEFINE CONCEPTS / Defining

EXAMPLES
Citizenship can be defined as the status of being a citizen with rights and duties.
 Stereotype can be described as a conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception,
opinion, or image.
Illiteracy means the condition of being unable to read and write.
Culture refers to the arts, customs, and habits that characterize a particular society or
nation.

Complaining and apologizing

HOW TO COMPLAIN
Here are expressions you can use when complaining:
I have a complaint to make. ...
Sorry to bother you but...
I'm sorry to say this but...
I'm afraid I've got a complaint about...
I'm afraid there is a slight problem with...
Excuse me but there is a problem about...
I want to complain about...
I'm angry about...

APOLOGIZING
I do apologize for...
I must apologize for...
I apologize for...
I'd like to apologize for...
I am so sorry for...
I shouldn't have...
It's all my fault.
I'm ashamed of...
Please, forgive me for...
Excuse me for ...
I'm terribly sorry for...
Pardon me for this...
Please, forgive me for my....
Please, accept my apologies for...

ACCEPTING AOLOGIES
That's all right.
Never mind.
Don't apologize.
It doesn't matter.
Don't worry about it.
Don't mention it.
That's OK.
I quite understand.
You couldn't help it.
Forget about it.
Don't worry about it.
No harm done.

Certainty and Uncertainty

 EXPRESSING CERTAINTY
When you are sure that something will or will not happen in the future, use these expressions.
For example to the question:
"Will John pass the exam?"
you may respond as follows:

Yes, I am absolutely/ quite sure he will

Yes, I am certain / positive he will
Definitely / certainly / of course.
Or
No, I am absolutely sure he won’t
No, I’m quite sure he won’t
No, I am certain / positive he won’t
Definitely not, certainly not, of course not.

Expressing uncertainty
When you are not sure whether something or someone will or will not happen, use the
following expressions:
For example, to the question:
“will John follow a career in business?”
You may respond as follows:
Well, it's possible, it's impossible, it might be, it might not be, it could happen,
I wouldn't like to say for certain. I'm not sure .I doubt it. I have my own doubts. It’s doubtful.
It's highly / very unlikely.

Expressing Wish and Regret

Expressing wish :
Form : If only / I wish + simple past

Example:
If only I had a million dollar. (I don’t a million dollar and I would like to be a millionaire)
Use:
To express a wish in the present or in the future.
The simple past here is an unreal past.
When you use the verb to be the form is “were”. Example: I wish I were rich!

EXAMPLES
I wish I lived in San Francesco.
If only I traveled to Australia.
Expressing regret
Form: If only / I wish + past perfect

Example:
If only I had passed the exam. (I didn't work hard, so I didn’t pass the exam.)
Use:
To express a regret.
The action is past.

EXAMPLES
I wish I had been careful while driving.
If only I had told him the truth.

Good and Bad News

Giving news
There are different ways to give news:
GIVING GOOD AND BAD NEWS
I'm really pleased to tell you...
I've got a bit of good news to tell you..
I've got some good / brilliant / great / wonderful / splendid news for you...
You know what! I've got a bit of great news for you...
Great news for you...
I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you...
I'm sorry I've got a bit of bad news to tell you..
I really don’t know how to say it, but …
I’m sorry to have to say this, but …
I really feel bad to have to say this, but …

Responding to news
RESPONDING TO GOOD NEWS
Wow, that sounds exciting !
That’s great !
How fantastic !
What fantastic /good / brilliant / great / wonderful / splendid news!
That's good / brilliant / great / wonderful / splendid news!
That sounds like great news!
Congratulations!
That’s wonderful / fantastic!
I’m glad to hear that!
Great news!
Incredible!
Superb!
Sounds great!
Lucky you!
Oh, how wonderful!
I can’t believe that!
Wow! That sounds exciting!

RESPONDING TO BAD NEWS

I’m awfully sorry that…

I’m sorry to hear that..
I’m sorry to hear such terrible news
My goodness!
I can’t believe it!
Poor you!
I do sympathize with you.
Please, accept my deepest sympathy.
I know how you must be feeling.
That must be awful
Oh, dear !
Too bad !
That’s awful / a pity / unfortunate.

Asking for advice:

 • I've got a bad toothache. What do you suggest?
• What do you advise me to do?
• What should I do?
• What ought I to do?
• What's your advice?
• If you were me what would you do?

Giving advice

• If I were you, I would go to the dentist.

• Why don't you go to the dentist?
• You'd better brush your teeth regularly.
• You ought to/should avoid eating sweets.
• If you take my advice, you'll go to the dentist.
• It might be a good idea to brush your teeth on a regular basis.
• I advise you to brush your teeth on a regular basis.
• Have you thought about seeing a dentist.

Declining to give advice

• I don't know what to advise, I'm afraid.

• I wish I could suggest something, but I can't.
• I wish I could help.
• I'm afraid I can't really help you.