Making Complaints

Construction
Formula 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 Example Finish I think we need to take another approach. I think you need to refine this layout. include his name and number. finish the report on time. your work has not been adequate lately. what I expected from you. concentrate on the Smith account for the moment.

Asking for Information

Construction
Formula Question Word Example Finish when the next train leaves? Could you tell me how much that vase costs? Do you know Tom lives? Do you happen to know where what you think about the new project. I'd like to know when the next train leaves? Could you tell me when she is going to arrive? Could you find out Formula Gerund (-ing) Example Finish a boat I'm interested in buying Formula Noun Example Finish information on holidays in Spain. I'm looking for Formula used only on the telephone Question Word Example Finish if flight AZ098 will leave on time today. I'm calling to find out... Formula used only on the telephone Noun Example Finish the offer published in today's newspaper. I'm calling about...

Giving Advice
Construction
Formula 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, If I were in your position, If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't work so hard. You had better work less. You shouldn't OR You should work less. Whatever you do, don't work so hard. Verb Form Use 'I don't think you should' the base form of the verb in a statement. Use 'You ought to' the base form of the verb in a statement. Use 'You ought not to' the base form of the verb in a statement. Use 'If I were' 'you' OR 'in your position' OR 'your shoes' 'I wouldn't' OR 'I would' base form of the verb in a statement (A form of the conditional 2). Use 'You had better' (you'd better) the base form of the verb in a statement. Use 'You should' OR 'You shouldn't' the base form of the verb in a statement. Use 'Whatever you do' the imperative.

Guessing
Construction
Formula I'd say he's about ready to quit 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. Form Use 'I'd say' an independent clause. Use 'might' the base form of the verb. Use 'could' the base form of the verb. Use the verb 'look like' a noun. Begin the sentence with 'perhaps'. Begin the sentence with 'maybe'. Use the phrase 'It's difficult to say, but I'd guess' an independent clause. Use the phrase 'I'm not really sure, but I think' an independent clause.

Using Vague Expressions - Being Imprecise

Construction

Formula 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.

Form Use 'about' + a numbered expression. Use 'approximately' + a numbered expression. Use 'a large number of' + a noun. Use 'up to' + a noun. Use 'kind of' + a noun. Use 'type of' + a noun. Use 'or so' at the end of a sentence to express the meaning 'approximately'. Use 'sort of' + a noun. Use the phrase + 'It's difficult to say, but I'd guess' an independent clause.

Saying 'No' Nicely

Construction
Formula I'm afraid I can't... Verb Form Use the base form of the verb without 'to' Use the '-ing' form of the verb with the verb I don't particularly like... 'like' in the present simple. Use the base form the verb without 'to' with I'd (really) rather not... 'rather' Use the '-ing' form following a preposition, or It's not my idea of... a noun Use the '-ing' form following a preposition, or I'm not (really) fond of... a noun Thank you (thank you for asking, thank you Use the base form the verb without 'to' very much, etc.) but, I have to... following the modal form 'have to do'

Stating a Preference
Construction
Formula I'd rather... I'd prefer... If it were up to me, Verb Form Use the base form the verb without 'to' with 'rather' Use the '-ing' form following the verb 'prefer' Use the second conditional form followed by the base form of the

I'd... I think we should... Why don't we...? Let's go ... How about...?

verb without 'to' Use the base form the verb without 'to' following the modal form 'should' Use the base form of the verb in a question Use the base form of the verb with 'let's' Use the '-ing' form of the verb after a preposition - here 'about'

Making Suggestions
Construction
Formula Why don't you / we go to a movie? We / You could go to a movie. Let's go to a movie. What about going to a movie? How about going to a movie? Verb Form Use the base form of the verb in a question

Use the base form of the verb in a statement Use the base form of the verb with 'let's' Use the '-ing' form of the verb in a question Use the '-ing' form of the verb in a question Use suggest object verb in the base form in a I suggest you / we go to a movie. statement.

Construction
Formula Why don't you / we go to a movie? We / You could go to a movie. Let's go to a movie. What about going to a movie? How about going to a movie? Verb Form Use the base form of the verb in a question

Use the base form of the verb in a statement Use the base form of the verb with 'let's' Use the '-ing' form of the verb in a question Use the '-ing' form of the verb in a question Use suggest object verb in the base form in a I suggest you / we go to a movie. statement.

Offering Help
Construction
Formula May/can I help you? Are you looking for something? Would you like some Verb Form Use 'May I' or 'Can I' the base form of the verb in a statement. Use 'Are you looking for' something OR anything in particular OR specific object Use 'Would you like' some help OR some advice OR a

recommendation Use 'Do you need' some help OR some advice OR a Do you need some help? recommendation What can I do for you today? help? Shall I carry the bags for you? Ill carry the bags for you Use 'What can I do for' you, her, him, etc. today OR this morning, this afternoon, this evening

Giving Warnings
Construction
Formula Verb Form Don't..., or you might Use the imperative followed by might or will in a statement / will... Watch out! Use the imperative Be Careful Work hard, otherwise Use the imperative otherwise you will / might plus the base form of you'll... the verb to show consequenses

Demanding Explanations
Construction
Formula Can you tell me why it has taken you so long to respond? Verb Form Use 'Can you tell me why' a full clause in the positive statement form (S V O). Notice that this is an indirect question and requires a question mark (?).

Use 'I don't understand why' a full clause in the positive I don't understand why it has statement form (S V O). Notice that this is a statement taken you so long to respond. and does NOT require a question mark (?) Can you explain why it has taken you so long to respond? Use 'Can you explain why' a full clause in the positive statement form (S V O). Notice that this is an indirect question and requires a question mark (?).

Use 'Why is it that' a full clause in the positive Why is it that it has taken you statement form (S V O). Notice that this is an indirect so long to respond? question and requires a question mark (?). How come it has taken you so long to respond? Does this mean (that) it has Use 'How come' a full clause in the positive statement form (S V O). Notice that this is an indirect question and requires a question mark (?). Use 'Does this mean (that)' a full clause in the positive

taken you so long to respond?

statement form (S V O). Notice that this is an indirect question and requires a question mark (?).

Use 'Do you (really) expect me to belive (that)' a full Do you (really) expect me to clause in the positive statement form (S V O). Notice believe (that) you weren't that this is an indirect question and requires a question able to finish on time? mark (?).