FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE: CLARIFYING, REASON AND CAUSE

WATCH THIS VIDEO AND THE EXPRESSIONS USED TO CLARIFY.

 








EXPRESSING REASON AND CAUSE

B2.1 FUNCTIONS: GIVING ADVICE

EXPRESSIONS TO GIVE ADVICE

Intermediate

1. ... might work.
2. ... would probably work.
3. ... (always) works for me.
4. If I was/were in your place, I'd ...
5. If that happened to me/In that case/If I had that problem, I'd ...
6. My (main/personal) recommendation is/would be ...
7. You'd better ...
8. In this (kind of) situation, I (would) always recommend/advise ...

Upper Intermediate

1. (If I was/were) in that (that kind of) situation, I'd ...
2. If I was/were in your shoes, I'd...
3. If  I was/were you, I'd...
4. Have you thought about ...?
5. If it was/were me, I'd ...
6. Make sure you (don't) ...
7. The sooner you ... the better.
8. Whatever you do, ...
9. Your only option is to ...
10. You have no choice but to ...

B2: LANGUAGE FOR ARGUING

Watch this sketch by the Monty Python and pay attention to the expressions they´re using to argue, apologize, etc.

• Apologizing: 
• I'm terribly sorry!
• Short answers with auxiliary verbs and emphatic stress. Yes, you did/ No, I didn't!
• Clarifying: Let's get one thing absolutely clear...
• Getting attention: Look, ...
• Expessing irritation/ anger: 
• I've had enough of this! Nonsense!
• Oh, come on! That's ridiculous!
• Other expressions:  That's not true! Got ya!
• Settling an argument:
• • Let's just move on, shall we?
  • Let's drop it.
  • I think we're going to have to agree to disagree.
  • (sarcastic) Whatever you say./If you say so.
• Other expressions:
• Expressing criticism with: I wish s/he wouldn't+ verb.
• Complaining about someone's habits: s/he's always+ -ing verb.
• Blaming: It's your fault! X is to blame!
• Softening the message to introduce a negative point: I'm afraid ...
• Modal verbs- deduction. You must have+ past partiple. You must have paid.

B2 -BBC Masterclass: Be polite, how to soften your English

B2.1 discussion language: comment adverbs, persuasive language

USING COMMENT ADVERBS. BBC the Flatmates: comment adverbs.


EXPRESSIONS TO SOUND PERSUASIVE AND CONVINCING

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B2( FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE): -EXPRESSING PREFERENCE

http://www.eslmonster.com/article/prefer-and-would-rather

B2 ( FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE): How to ...EOI Marbella wikispaces

HOW TO...
LIST OF FUNCTIONS

B2 ( Functional language): File 6D Interrupting + keys to exercise 5a- p. 55

FILE 6D Sorry to interrupt...
ASKING FOR PERMISSION TO INTERRUPT

REFUSING PERMISSION TO INTERRUPT

KEYS- EXERCISE 5A, p. 55
1. wondering     2. could     3. against     4. moment  5. would   6. time   7. disturb/bother  8. word
9. afraid   10. tied   11. worry    12. wait    13. bother/disturb   14. minute   15. pushed  16. time   17. catch
18. busy   19. time   20 urgent   21. be   22. convenient

B2 ( Functions) - Socialising -ice-breakers and keeping the conversation going

Here are two activities on socialising:  ice-breaking and keeping the conversation going.

Day 1-socialising activity  ( leaving a conversation)
Socialising activity ( teacher's notes and keys)

Activity 2- keeping the conversation going : types of questions used to keep the conversation going.
Use only pages 3 to 5 of this whole worksheet
Activity 2- keys

B2 ( Functional language revision): Stating a preference

Stating a preference: explanation and practice

Construction

Formula	Verb Form
I'd rather...	Use the base form the verb without 'to' with 'rather'
I'd prefer...	Use the '-ing' form following the verb 'prefer'
If it were up to me, I'd...	Use the second conditional form followed by the base form of the verb without 'to'
I think we should...	Use the base form the verb without 'to' following the modal form 'should'
Why don't we...?	Use the base form of the verb in a question
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'

B2 ( Functional language): clarifying what you're saying

Functional language: clarifying what your saying

B2 ( Functional language) : agreeing and disagreeing politely

Here's an activity to revise the expressions used for agreeing and disagreeing politely in English.
Bear in mind that this is an extremely important point for speaking interactions.
Download exercise here.

B2 ( Functions): expressing preferences

Language point BBC -'d rather vs. prefer

B2 ( Advanced): giving opinion

Keeping a conversation going: common expressions

NB: To download these documents you have to open a Google Docs account.


There are different phrases and expressions you can use to keep a conversation going. Here are some ideas:

Main expressions

Keep the Conversation Going – Make a Comment

A good way to keep the conversation going is to make a comment. Even a short word like “No!” can be enough to show surprise and encourage the…

Keep the Conversation Going – Encourage the Other Speaker

You don’t need to say much to encourage the other person to keep talking. Use a phrase like “Go on” to show interest in what the other person…

Keep the Conversation Going – Ask a Question

One way to keep the conversation going is to ask a question. You can make a very short question by using an auxiliary (such as do / does…

Real language: Showing interest

In this BBC radio programme you'll hear at some of the most common ways of showing interest. There are 6 short conversations. To complete the exercise, follow the following instructions:
 1. Listen to the first part of the programme and, while you listen, write down the first 3 phrases speakers use to show interest. Then, keep on listening and write down 3 extra expressions to show interest.

2. Read the tapescript ( while listening) and check your answers.