samybassam
19-08-2008, 06:28 PM
Language Functions
Giving Advice
There are a number of formulas used when Giving Advice in English. Here are some of the most common:
• I don't think you should work so hard.
• You ought to work less.
• You ought not to work so hard.
• If I were you, I'd work less.
• If I were in your position, I'd work less.
• If I were in your shoes, I'd work less.
• You had better work less.
• You shouldn't work so hard.
• Whatever you do, don't work so hard.
Asking for Information
There are a number of formulas used when asking for information in English. Here are some of the most common:
• Could you tell me...?
• Do you know...?
• Do you happen to know...?
• I'd like to know...
• Could you find out...?
• I'm interested in...
• I'm looking for..
These two forms are used for asking for information on the telephone:
• I'm calling to find out...
• I'm calling about...
Guessing (3)
There are a number of ways to guess in English. Here are some of the most common:
• I'd say he's about ready to quite his job.
• It might need some oil.
• He could be in the garden.
• It looks like a miniature motor.
• Perhaps he needs some time off work.
• Maybe they want to come and visit this summer.
• It's difficult to say, but I'd guess that it's used for cleaning house.
• I'm not really sure, but I think they enjoy hiking in the mountains.
Giving Warnings
There are a number of formulas used when Giving Warnings in English. Here are some of the most common:
• Don't push so hard on that toy, or you might / will break it!
• Watch out! Be careful!
• Work hard otherwise you'll fail your exam.
Using Vague Expressions - Being Imprecise
There are a number of ways to give imprecise information in English. Here are some of the most common:
• There are about 600 people working in this company.
• There are approximately 600 people working in this company.
• There are a large number of students interested in taking his course.
• Management predicts up to 50% growth for the coming year.
• It's kind of a bottle opener which can also be used to peel vegetables.
• It's the type of place you can go to relax for a week or so.
• They're the sort of people that like going bowling on Saturday evenings.
• It's difficult to say, but I'd guess that it's used for cleaning house.
• I'm not really sure, but I think they enjoy hiking in the mountains.
Making Suggestions
There are a number of formulas used when making suggestions in English. Here are some of the most common:
• Why don't you / we go to the movies tonight?
• You / we could visit New York while you're / we're there.
• Let's go to the travel agent's this afternoon to book our ticket.
• What about asking your brother for help?
• How about going to Hawaii for your vacation?
• I suggest you / we take all the factors into consideration before we decide.
Offering Help
There are a number of formulas used when offering help in English. Here are some of the most common:
• May I help you?
• Can I help you?
• Are you looking for something?
• Would you like some help?
• Do you need some help?
• What can I do for you today?
Making Complaints
There are a number of formulas used when complaining in English. It's important to remember that a direct complaint or criticism in English can sound rude or aggressive. It's best to mention a problem in an indirect manner. Here are some of the most common:
• I'm sorry to have to say this but...
• I'm sorry to bother you, but...
• Maybe you forgot to...
• I think you might have forgotten to...
• Excuse me if I'm out of line, but...
• There may have been a misunderstanding about...
• Don't get me wrong, but I think we should...
Contrasting Ideas
There are a number of formulas used when contrasting ideas in English. Here are some of the most common:
• We'd love to stay for dinner, but we have got to get going.
• They decided to stay in the area, in spite of their problems with the local residents.
• Despite the difficulties of a long journey, Peter decided to visit India.
• Getting a good job is hard work, however, most people eventually find one with patience.
• There were a number of people who came, although the hotels were not equipped to handle them all.
Demanding Explanations
Sometimes, things happen that we would like explained and we must demand explanations. For example, if you have just bought a new computer and there is a problem, but the shop assistant says that the guaranty does not cover the problem. There are a number of formulas used when demanding explanations in English. Here are some of the most common:
• Can you tell me why...
• I don't understand why...
• Can you explain why..
• Why is it that...
• How come...
• Does this mean...
• Do you really expect me to believe...
Saying 'No' Nicely
Sometimes you need to say no when someone makes a suggestion, offers something or asks you to do something for them. Of course, saying just 'no' can be rather rude. Here are some of the most common ways to say 'no' nicely - or at least not rudely.
• Would you like to see a film tonight?
I'm afraid I can't go out tonight. I've got a test tomorrow.
• Why don't we have some chinese food?
Sorry, but I don't particularly like chinese food.
• How about taking a nice walk?
I'd really rather not take a walk this afternoon.
• Would you like to come to the museum with us?
Thank you, but it's not my idea of a fun afternoon out.
• Let's go for a drive
Sorry, I'm not really fond of driving for the fun of it.
• Why don't you stay the night?
That's very kind of you, but I really have to get back to the city.
NOTE: Notice how we often say 'thank you' in some way before refusing the offer. When someone makes an offer it is polite to first thank that person and then say no, often offering an excuse for not wanting or being able to do something. Just saying 'no' is considered very rude behavior indeed!
Stating a Preference
Sometimes you need to state a preference when someone makes a suggestion, offers something or asks your opinion about what to do. Often people are asking for your opinion and you can state your preference freely, other times, people have made an offer and you need to state a preference politely if you do not want to do what has been suggested, or would rather do something else.
• Would you like to see a film tonight?
I'd rather go dancing. How does that sound?
• Why don't we have some chinese food?
Well, I'd prefer eating Italian. What do you think?
• What do you think we should do?
If it were up to me, I'd go out for dinner.
• What are we going to do today? The weather is awful!
I think we should go to a museum.
Why don't we go to a museum.
Let's go to a museum.
How about going to a museum.
Let's go ... Use the base form of the verb with 'let's'
How about...? Use the '-ing' form of the verb after a preposition - here 'about'
Giving Advice
There are a number of formulas used when Giving Advice in English. Here are some of the most common:
• I don't think you should work so hard.
• You ought to work less.
• You ought not to work so hard.
• If I were you, I'd work less.
• If I were in your position, I'd work less.
• If I were in your shoes, I'd work less.
• You had better work less.
• You shouldn't work so hard.
• Whatever you do, don't work so hard.
Asking for Information
There are a number of formulas used when asking for information in English. Here are some of the most common:
• Could you tell me...?
• Do you know...?
• Do you happen to know...?
• I'd like to know...
• Could you find out...?
• I'm interested in...
• I'm looking for..
These two forms are used for asking for information on the telephone:
• I'm calling to find out...
• I'm calling about...
Guessing (3)
There are a number of ways to guess in English. Here are some of the most common:
• I'd say he's about ready to quite his job.
• It might need some oil.
• He could be in the garden.
• It looks like a miniature motor.
• Perhaps he needs some time off work.
• Maybe they want to come and visit this summer.
• It's difficult to say, but I'd guess that it's used for cleaning house.
• I'm not really sure, but I think they enjoy hiking in the mountains.
Giving Warnings
There are a number of formulas used when Giving Warnings in English. Here are some of the most common:
• Don't push so hard on that toy, or you might / will break it!
• Watch out! Be careful!
• Work hard otherwise you'll fail your exam.
Using Vague Expressions - Being Imprecise
There are a number of ways to give imprecise information in English. Here are some of the most common:
• There are about 600 people working in this company.
• There are approximately 600 people working in this company.
• There are a large number of students interested in taking his course.
• Management predicts up to 50% growth for the coming year.
• It's kind of a bottle opener which can also be used to peel vegetables.
• It's the type of place you can go to relax for a week or so.
• They're the sort of people that like going bowling on Saturday evenings.
• It's difficult to say, but I'd guess that it's used for cleaning house.
• I'm not really sure, but I think they enjoy hiking in the mountains.
Making Suggestions
There are a number of formulas used when making suggestions in English. Here are some of the most common:
• Why don't you / we go to the movies tonight?
• You / we could visit New York while you're / we're there.
• Let's go to the travel agent's this afternoon to book our ticket.
• What about asking your brother for help?
• How about going to Hawaii for your vacation?
• I suggest you / we take all the factors into consideration before we decide.
Offering Help
There are a number of formulas used when offering help in English. Here are some of the most common:
• May I help you?
• Can I help you?
• Are you looking for something?
• Would you like some help?
• Do you need some help?
• What can I do for you today?
Making Complaints
There are a number of formulas used when complaining in English. It's important to remember that a direct complaint or criticism in English can sound rude or aggressive. It's best to mention a problem in an indirect manner. Here are some of the most common:
• I'm sorry to have to say this but...
• I'm sorry to bother you, but...
• Maybe you forgot to...
• I think you might have forgotten to...
• Excuse me if I'm out of line, but...
• There may have been a misunderstanding about...
• Don't get me wrong, but I think we should...
Contrasting Ideas
There are a number of formulas used when contrasting ideas in English. Here are some of the most common:
• We'd love to stay for dinner, but we have got to get going.
• They decided to stay in the area, in spite of their problems with the local residents.
• Despite the difficulties of a long journey, Peter decided to visit India.
• Getting a good job is hard work, however, most people eventually find one with patience.
• There were a number of people who came, although the hotels were not equipped to handle them all.
Demanding Explanations
Sometimes, things happen that we would like explained and we must demand explanations. For example, if you have just bought a new computer and there is a problem, but the shop assistant says that the guaranty does not cover the problem. There are a number of formulas used when demanding explanations in English. Here are some of the most common:
• Can you tell me why...
• I don't understand why...
• Can you explain why..
• Why is it that...
• How come...
• Does this mean...
• Do you really expect me to believe...
Saying 'No' Nicely
Sometimes you need to say no when someone makes a suggestion, offers something or asks you to do something for them. Of course, saying just 'no' can be rather rude. Here are some of the most common ways to say 'no' nicely - or at least not rudely.
• Would you like to see a film tonight?
I'm afraid I can't go out tonight. I've got a test tomorrow.
• Why don't we have some chinese food?
Sorry, but I don't particularly like chinese food.
• How about taking a nice walk?
I'd really rather not take a walk this afternoon.
• Would you like to come to the museum with us?
Thank you, but it's not my idea of a fun afternoon out.
• Let's go for a drive
Sorry, I'm not really fond of driving for the fun of it.
• Why don't you stay the night?
That's very kind of you, but I really have to get back to the city.
NOTE: Notice how we often say 'thank you' in some way before refusing the offer. When someone makes an offer it is polite to first thank that person and then say no, often offering an excuse for not wanting or being able to do something. Just saying 'no' is considered very rude behavior indeed!
Stating a Preference
Sometimes you need to state a preference when someone makes a suggestion, offers something or asks your opinion about what to do. Often people are asking for your opinion and you can state your preference freely, other times, people have made an offer and you need to state a preference politely if you do not want to do what has been suggested, or would rather do something else.
• Would you like to see a film tonight?
I'd rather go dancing. How does that sound?
• Why don't we have some chinese food?
Well, I'd prefer eating Italian. What do you think?
• What do you think we should do?
If it were up to me, I'd go out for dinner.
• What are we going to do today? The weather is awful!
I think we should go to a museum.
Why don't we go to a museum.
Let's go to a museum.
How about going to a museum.
Let's go ... Use the base form of the verb with 'let's'
How about...? Use the '-ing' form of the verb after a preposition - here 'about'