Communicative Functions for 2nd year Baccalaureate students

Functions Expressions Examples

1. MAKING SUGGESTIONS -Shall we……………… - Shall we play some sport?
-Why don't we ………………… - Why don't we pay a visit to Marrakech?
-How about + (gerund)…………… - How about going to the beach?
-What about gerund)……………………. - What about going to the beach?
-Let's……………….. - Let’s have a walk in the beach?

-That's a good idea. - That's a good idea. It's very hot

 Accepting /Responding -That's a good suggestion. today.
positively to a -Yes, Let's do it
Suggestion -What a good idea!
-It sounds a good idea
-Why not?
-Ok.
-I don't think it's a good idea. - I don't think it's a good idea. The
 Refusing /responding -I don't think it's a good suggestion. beach is crowded today.
negatively to a -No, let's not
suggestion. -I don't feel like it
-What an awful / bad idea!
2. MAKING OFFERS -Can / shall I……….. -Can / Shall I Help you with this exercise?
-Would you like me to…..? -Would you like me to help you with this
-Do you want me to….. exercise?
- Do you want me to help you with this
exercise?
-That's very/really kind of you. -Question: Can I help you?
-How nice of you! Answer: Yes, please.
 ACCEPTING OFFERS -Yes, Please.
-Please do.
-Yes, please if you don't mind
-No, Thank you. -Question: would you like me to help you?
 DECLINING OFFERS -Thanks. Don't bother yourself. Answer: Thanks. Don’t bother yourself.
-Thanks, but that won't be
necessary
3. MAKING REQUESTS -Could / can you / ……….Please? -Could I possibly use your mobile phone?
-Would / will you please……. -would you please give me that book?
-Could you possibly…….. -could you possibly take this with you?
-Would you mind……. -Would you mind opening the window?
 Accepting.
-yes of course.
-Sure. Yes, of course. Here you are.
 RESPONDING TO -with pleasure.
REQUESTS

 Refusing
- I'm afraid you can't. Sorry .The battery is down.
-Sorry, but you can't.
4. ASKING FOR OPINION -What's your opinion about….?
-What do you think of………..? What do you think of Karim?
-How do you feel about…….?
 -I think / believe……….. - I believe he's good boy
 GIVING OPINION -It seems to me that ………. - It seems to me that he's good boy
-In my opinion …………… - In my opinion he's good boy
-In my view ……………… - In my view he's good boy
-I'm sorry to say this, but........
5. CONIPLAINING -I am sorry to have to say this, but… I'm afraid I have a complaint about the
-I want to complain about........ food in your restaurant.
-I'm afraid I have a complaint
about…
 Accepting
-I'm (terribly/really) sorry about
that.
-I'm sorry. I didn't realize it.
 RESPONDING TO -I apologize for that.
COMPLAINTS -Please accept my apology.
 Refusing / Declining
-I am sorry, But there is nothing we
can do about it.
-We are sorry , but this is out of our
responsibility

6. EXPRESSING LACK OF -I didn't get your point. - Could you repeat the last point in your
UNDERSTANDING -I don't understand. Presentation. I didn't quite understand.
-Could you repeat, please?
-I'm not sure I got you point.
-I can’t see what you are driving at.
7. ASKING FOR -Could you clarify this point please?
CLARIFICATION -What do you mean?
-Could you explain?
-Could you explain this point?
-I'm not sure I understood it?
8. EXPRESSING REGRET -I 'm really sorry - I'm really sorry I didn't go with you to
-I wish I had/hadn’t Samir's party.
-If only I hadn’t - I wish I had gone to Samir's party. He
was angry with me.
- If only I had gone to Samir's party.
-Wow! That's great / wonderful
-I'm glad to hear that!
-Congratulations
-Great news! A: You know what! I got the first mark in
9. RESPONDING TO GOOD -Incredible! the last test.
NEWS -Superb! B : Congratulations
-Sounds great!
-Lucky you!
-Oh, how wonderful!
-I can’t believe that!

-I'm sorry to hear that!

10. RESPONDING TO BAD -Oh, dear!
NEWS -Poor you!
-My goodness!
-I can’t believe it! A: My friend had a car accident yesterday.
-I do sympathize with you. B: Oh dear! I'm sorry to hear that!
 -Please, accept my deepest
sympathy.
-I know how you must be feeling.
-That must be awful
-Oh, dear!
-Too bad!
-That’s awful / a pity / unfortunate

11. APOLOGIZING (say sorry) - I'm (terribly/awfully) sorry about / -I'm sorry to say this, I broke the plate.
for -I'm terribly sorry; I'll make sure they
- I (do) apologize for won't do it again.
- Forgive me for - Please, forgive me for not doing the
- It's all my fault. exercise.
- I'm ashamed of...
- Please, forgive me for...
- Excuse me for ...
- I'm terribly sorry for...
- Pardon me for this...
That's ok / That's all right
Never mind.
 ACCEPTING APOLOGY It's not a problem
-I (totally) agree with you. A: I believe students who revise their
12. AGREEING -I share your view/idea/opinion. lessons regularly have good grades.
-You're right. B: I totally agree with you.
-Definitely.
-Absolutory right
-I don't agree (with you). A :I don’t think people should be involved
-I don't share your view/ in politics.
13. DISAGREEING idea/point. B: I disagree with you .citizens should
-You're wrong. take active role in their communities.
-I disagree (with you).
-What do /would you advise me to -I want to learn English. What do you
do? advise me to do?
-What do you think I should do?
-What do you advise me to do?
14. ASKING FOR ADVICE -What should I do?
-What ought I to do?
-What's your advice?
-If you were me what would you
do?

-I advise you (not) to do A: I want to lose some weight. I am getting

 GIVING ADVICE -You should fatter.
-You ought (n't) to ………… B: I advise you to play sports.
-You'd better (not) do - If I were you, I would play sports.
-If I were you, I would (not) do - Have you thought about playing
-Why don't you …….? sport?
-You'd better…………..
-If you take my advice, you'll ………..
-It might be a good idea to …….
-Have you thought about +
gerund….