1.

Expressing lack of understanding and asking for clarification:

Expressing lack of understanding Asking for clarification

I beg your pardon?
I’m not quite sure I follow you.
I’m not quite sure I know what you mean.
I beg your pardon, but I don’t quite understand.
I don’t quite see what you mean, I’m afraid.
Sorry, I didn’t quite hear what you said.
I’m not quite sure I got your point.
Sorry, I didn’t get your point, I’m afraid.
I don’t quite see what you’re getting at.
I am afraid I didn’t understand
What do you mean by…?
Do you mean…?
I’m not quite with you. What do you mean?
Could you clarify that, please?
Could you be more explicit?
Could you explain what you mean by…?
Could you possibly give us an example?
I wonder if you could say that in a different way?
Could you be a little bit more specific, please.
Excuse me. What was that again?
I beg your pardon. Would you mind repeating that?
I’m sorry. I didn’t get the last part.
Could you say that again / repeat please?

2. Making and responding to complaints ;

making a complaint Rejecting a complaint accepting a complaint

Sorry to say it, but you……. Well, I’m afraid there’s nothing I'm so sorry, but this will never
Enough is enough! we can do about it actually. occur again.
I’m not satisfied with the way you… -I’m afraid there isn’t much we I'm sorry, I promise never to
I’ve been patient long enough, but… can do about it. I'm really sorry, I'll do my
I just don’t know how to say it, but… atmost/best not to
I’m afraid I have to make a serious
complaint.
Oh. I’ve got a bit of a problem here;
you see...
Sorry to bother you, but…
Look, I’m sorry to trouble you, but…

3. Expressions of agreement and disagreement:

Agreeing Disagreeing
I agree. I’m afraid I don’t agree.
I agree entirely / completely. I disagree with you.
I certainly agree with that. I’m sorry, but I disagree.
I couldn’t agree more. Sorry to say it, but you’re wrong.
That’s a good point. Yes, that’s quite true, but…
I share the same view. I don’t share this view.
That’s exactly what I was thinking myself. I don’t share this view with you.
I quite agree with you I’m afraid you’re wrong there.
You’re definitely / absolutely right. I’m not sure I quite agree with you here.
You’re quite right Perhaps, but don’t you agree…?
That’s just how I see it. I see what you mean, but…
I suppose so. I suppose not.
 4. Apologizing

Apologizing Accepting/refusing apologies

I do apologise. It’s O.K
Sorry about that. Never mind.
I’m very sorry. It’s not important.
I’m awfully sorry. Don’t worry about it.
I’m terribly sorry. I see no reason why I should.
Sorry to hear that.
Oh, dear. I’m really sorry.
I just don’t know what to say.
I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.
I can’t tell you how sorry I am.

5. Asking for and giving opinion:

Asking for opinion Giving opinion

-What do you think about…? -To be honest,…

-What’s your opinion about…? -Well, if you ask me…
-What’s your view about…? -To my mind,…/ In my opinion,/ view,…
- How do you feel about…? -I really feel that…
-Do(n’t) you think/ believe that…? -Personally speaking, I think…
-Do you really think/ believe that…? -I’d like to point out that…
-Are you absolutely sure that…? -I strongly believe that…
-Am I right in thinking that…? - From my point of you,..
-Would I be right in thinking that…? -As far as I’m concerned,…
-I think/ believe… /
It seems to me that…
6. Making Requests

EXPRESSING REQUESTS RESPONDING TO REQUESTS

- ( Do sth.fo me) , will you? - Yes, of course.
- Will you please…? - Sorry, I can’t.
- I want you to + vb… - Certainly not.
- Can you…? - Not at all.
- Could you please…? - Sure
- Would you…? - Sorry, I’m afraid not.
- Do you think you could…?
- Could you possibly…?
- Do you mind…?
- Would you mind…?
- I wonder if you could possibly…?

7. Responding to good and bad news:

Responding to good news
That’s great! / Congratulations! /
That’s wonderful! /
I’m glad to hear that/ Great news!/ Incredible!/
Superb!/ Sounds great! / Lucky you! / Oh, how
wonderful! / Really? I can’t believe that! / Wow! That
sounds exciting! / That’s fantastic!
Responding to bad news
I’m awfully sorry that… / I’m sorry to hear that. /
I hope there is nothing wrong. / I’m ever so sorry. /
It’s such a frightening experience. / I’m sorry to hear such
terrible news/ My goodness! / I can’t believe it!
Poor you! / I’m awfully sorry to hear that. / I do
sympathize with you. / Please, accept my deepest sympathy.
/ I know how you must be feeling. / that must be awful!
 8. Asking for, giving and responding to advice:
Asking for advice Giving Advice Responding to advice
What do you think I should do? I think you should… That’s a good idea. Thanks.
What do you suggest? May be you should… Thanks for your advice, but I
What would you do if…? It’s best not to… really…
What’s your advice for…? It’s a good idea not to… Thank you for your advice, but I
What would you advise me to do? Why don’t you…? really…
How can I …? If I were you, I would… Sorry, I can’t. I’m… ing…
What’s the best…? You’d better (not)… It sounds like a good idea.
I don’t know what to do. Whatever you do, don’t… Thanks, but I’ve already…
What should I do? You should(n’t)/ought(n’t)to… Thanks, but I doubt whether…
9. Certainty and uncertainty

Expressing certainty Expressing uncertainty

I am sure ……………… I am doubtful that …….
I am certain………………………… I am not sure/certain that …….
I strongly believe………………………. It might be that ………
It must be…………………………… I am sceptical that ………
Definitely sure It is impossible that …….
I am absolutely sure/certain ……… I I suppose…………
I am positive that ……………

10. Regret and past wishes

Expressing regret
I feel sorry I didn’t invite her If only + past simple
I didn’t know why I didn’t invite her Wish + past simple
I regret having +pp If only + past perfect
It ‘s a pity Wish + past perfect
It was wrong of me/her/ him to or not to + verb S + should have +pp
It was my fault S+ shouldn’t have +pp

Purpose Addition Concession Definition / defining Cause and effect

to and also too yet regardless refers to / is / can be Consequently, On account of
in order to + inf besides of defined … stand for As a result, Due to
so as to moreover but . As a Because of
so that +s+could furthermore however consequence, Owing to
/may in addition nevertheless So, because
in order that additionally although Therefore, since
along with Thus, as
aiming despite Hence, thanks to
as well as in spite of For this given
not only ... but reason,
...also as well.