FUNCTIONS:
1. Opinion:
Asking for opinion Giving opinion
– What is your opinion about.............? – In my opinion,........................
– What do you think about..................? – In my view,.....................
– What is your view about....................? – For me,..........................
– In your opinion, ...................................? – To my mind,.....................
– From my point of view,..............
– I think that.../ I believe that.......
– As far as I am concerned,........
Example: Give your opinion about using Moroccan Arabic in course
books.
In my opinion, using Moroccan Arabic may make students neglect their classic
language.
In my view, using Moroccan Arabic in textbooks may help students understand the
lessons better.
Exercise: What would you say in the following situations?
Some Egyptian channels are a waste of time, don’t you think so?
You: (give your opinion)…………………………………………………..
What do you think of the Moroccan football team’s last performance?
You: (give your opinion)…………………………………………………….
Jane: I changed my hairstyle. (ask for opinion)
Jack: (give your opinion)………………………………………………
2. Express agreement & disagreement:
Expressing agreement Expressing
disagreement
– I agree. ............... I disagree
– Of course. I disagree with you
– I think so. Of course, not
– You are right. I don’t think so
– Absolutely. I suppose you might be wrong
– Exactly.
– I couldn’t agree more I‘m afraid. I disagree.
I agree. English is one of the most spoken languages all over the world.
• You are right. Millions of people speak English worldwide.
– I disagree. – I don’t agree with you. – Of course, not. I don’t think so.
– You're mistaken. – I‘m afraid. I disagree. – That’s not always true.
Dinner is the most important meal of the day:
• I don’t agree with you. Dinner is not the most important meal of the day.
• You are wrong. Lunch is the most important meal of the day. That’s not always true.
Exercise: What would you say in the following situations?
You: (express agreement) …………………………………………………………….
2. Tutors should do the homework for their students.
You: (express disagreement) …………………………………………………………………..
3. Some newly married couples prefer to live with their parents after marriage.
You: (Do you agree or disagree and why) …………………………………………………
3. Lack of understanding & asking for clarification:
Lack of understanding Asking for clarification
--I beg your pardon. Could you repeat, please
– I don’t understand. What do you mean by…….,?
– I am not quite sure I follow you. Could you be more specific
– I am sorry. I didn’t hear what you said. Could you possibly explain more
– I didn’t get your point.
Example: • Interviewer: I am afraid we accept only polyglots in our hotel.
• Interviewee: I beg your pardon. What do you mean by a “polyglot”?
• Interviewer: I mean we just accept those who speak many languages.
Exercise: What would you say in the following situations?
1. The doctor: If you want to keep your diet you need to exercise regularly and eat healthy
food.
You: (express lack of understanding) ……………………………………
2. The police officer: Sorry, Sir, your driving license expired a couple of days ago.
You: (express lack of understanding and ask for clarification)
………………………………………………………………………
4. Asking for and giving advice:
Asking for advice Giving advice Accepting advice
– What should I do? – I advise you (not) – That’s a good idea, thanks.
– How can you advise me? to.............. – It sounds a good idea.
– What’s your advice for – You should (not).............
me? – You ought (not) to...........
– I don’t know what to do. – You’d better (not) .........
Can you – If I were you, I
help me? would.........
Example: I have a terrible headache. What should I do?
• You should see a doctor now.
• You’d better have some rest.
Exercise: What would you say in the following situations?
Your friend: It’s my best friend’s birthday and I don’t know what to bring him as a
gift.
You: (give him a piece of advice) ……………………………………….
I have an English test next week but I didn’t understand some lessons.
You: (ask your friend for advice) …………………………………………
You: (give him a piece of advice) ………………………………………….
5. Expressing a complaint:
Express complaint Positive complaint Negative complaint
– I am sorry, but................ – I’m so sorry. I didn’t – Well, there’s nothing I can
– I am sorry. I have a realize do about it.
complaint that. – I can’t do anything about it
about........ – I just don’t know what
– Sorry to say this, but........ to say.
– I’m afraid. I have a – Oh! I am sorry about that.
complaint to
make. ............
– I am not satised with the
way......
Example: Your neighbour turned on the music aloud last night and you couldn’t sleep.
• I am sorry to have to say this, but your music was loud last night.
• I am afraid. I have a complaint to make. You turned on the music aloud last night.
Exercise: What would you say in the following situations?
You were in a bank and one of the clients didn’t respect the queue.
You: (Make a complaint) ……………………………………………………………..
The client (respond positively) ……………………………………………………….
Someone put rubbish in front of your at front door.
You: (Complain to the doorman) ……………………………………………………
The service is terrible in the hostel you are staying at.
You: (Complain to the manager) ………………………………………………………..
6. Expressing an apology;
Make an apology Responding to Apologies
– I am sorry. – It’s not a problem.
– I am terribly sorry (for + verb + ing) – That’s OK.
– I do apologize. – It’s all right.
– I am really sorry about this. – It’s Okay. Don’t worry.
– I can’t tell you how sorry I am – It doesn’t matter.
Example You came late. You apologize to the teacher
• I am sorry, Sir, I am late.
• I am terribly sorry, Sir, for being late. I missed the bus.
Exercise:
What would you say in the following situations?
1. You mispronounced your classmates’ names.
You: (apologize to him) …………………………………………
Your classmate (respond to the apology) ………………………………..
2. You dialed the wrong number by mistake and you called someone you didn’t know.
You: (make an apology) ……………………………………….
7. Suggestion;
Make a Suggest Respond Positively Respond negatively
– Let’s...............? – Ok let’s. - No let’s not.
– How about + verb + – That’s a good idea. - I don’t think that’s a good
ing.........? – That sounds like a good idea.
– What about + verb + idea, - Yes, but.................
ing...........? thanks.
– Why don’t – Yes, why not?
we.......................?
– Do you fancy + verb +
ing......?
Example You and your friend are free this afternoon. Suggest doing or going somewhere.
Let’s go to the movies. I am bored.
• How about watching a film this afternoon?
Exercise;
What would you say in the following situations?
1. Your teacher wants to organize a trip abroad. Suggest a country you like to go to.
You: ………………………………………………….
Your teacher:(respond) …………………………………….
2. Your father’s car always breaks down.
You: (suggest a solution to him) ………………………………….
3. Your friend: I am hungry now.
You: (Suggest eating something) ……………………………………………………
