Language functions
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The document provides examples of language for different speech acts including: offering help, disagreeing, complaining, saying no, asking for information, giving advice, guessing, suggesting, warning, and demanding explanations. Phrases are given for each speech act to express the intended meaning in a polite and indirect manner.
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Language functions
- 1. OFFERING HELP May/Can I help you? Are you looking for something? Would you like some help? DISAGREEING Do you need some help? What can I do for you today? I wouldn't do that. I would... But if we... BEING VAGUE I'm afraid I have to disagree with you. Don't get me wrong, ... Even so, if... There are about/approximately … Don't forget that... There are a large number of … Very true, but... It's kind of /It's the type of … or so. They're the sort of … It's difficult to say, but I'd guess … COMPLAINING I'm not really sure, but I think … I'm sorry to have to say this but... SAYING NO I'm sorry to bother you, but... Maybe you forgot to... Excuse me if I'm out of line, but... I'm afraid I can't … There may have been a misunderstanding about... Sorry, but I don't particularly like … Don't get me wrong, but I think we should... I'd really rather not … Thank you, but it's not my idea of … Sorry, I'm not really fond of … ASKING FOR INFO That's very kind of you, but I really have to … Could you tell me...? PREFERENCE Do you know...? Do you happen to know...? I'd like to know... I'd rather … Could you find out...? Well, I'd prefer … I'm interested in... If it were up to me, I'd … I'm looking for.. I think we should … ADVICE SUGGESTING I don't think you should/ You shouldn’t … Why don't you / we … You ought to/not to … You / we could … If I were you, I'd … Let's go to …. If I were in your position, I'd … What about … If I were in your shoes, I'd … How about … You had better … I suggest you / we … Whatever you do, don't … WARNING GUESSING Don't …, or you might / will … I'd say …. Watch out! Be careful! It might/could … ………, otherwise you'll ….. It looks like … Perhaps … DEMANDING EXPLANATIONS Maybe … It's difficult to say, but I'd guess …. Can you tell me/explain why... I don't understand why... Why is it that... How come... Does this mean... Do you really expect me to believe... ?