LEARN ENGLISH: FUNCTIONS IN ENGLISH

Functions in English

Function:
Expressing Opinion
Expressions:

I think / believe / guess....
In my opinion / In my view....
For me,....
As far as I am concerned,....
As I see it,....

Example:
In my opinion,fashion is a complete waste of time, money and resources.

Function:
Agreeing
Expressions:

I agree with you.
I totally agree with you.
I share your point.

Example:
I share your view.

Function:
Disagreeing
Expressions:

I disagree with you.
I don't agree.
I can't agree.

Example:
I can't agree with you on that.

Function:
Complaining
Expressions:

I have a complaint about....
I'm sorry to bother you, but....
May be you forgot to....
I think you might have forgotten to....
There may have been a misunderstanding about....
Don't get me wrong, but I think we should....

Example:
Sorry to say this, but you are talking loudly.

Function:
Apologising
Expressions:

I am awfully sorry.
I've done a silly thing.
I didn't mean to do it.
I'm really ashamed of what I did.
I'm sorry about what happened.

Example:
Teacher: Why didn't you do your homework?
Students: Sorry, I had a terrible headache.

Function:
Asking for advice
Expressions:

What should I do?
What do you think I should do?
What ought I to do?
What do you advise?

Example:
I can’t sleep at night.What should I do?

Function:
Giving advice
Expressions:

I think you should....
You had better....
You ought to....
If I were you, I would....
If I were in your shoes,I would....

Example:
You'd better drink hot milk

Function:
Expressing Certainty
Expressions:

I am certain.
Definitely.
Certainly / Surely.
Without doubt.

Example:
Without doubt, a coeducational environment promotes understanding between boys and girls.

Function:
Expressing Uncertainty
Expressions:

I'm not sure.
Maybe / Perhaps /

Function:
Making Requests
Expressions:

Could you , please?
Would you mind (do....ing,please?
Can you .... , please?
Do you mind if.... ?

Example:
Would you mind if I turned up the heating?

Function:
Expressing lack of understanding and asking for clarification
Expressions:

Give us / me an example.
Could you possibly give us / cite an example?
Are you able to give an(other) example of that point?
I wonder if you could give an illustration.
For example?
Would you have an illustration / example of
What you mean?
For instance?

Example:
I didn't understand what you said about the project. Explain to us again.

Function:
Responding to good news
Expressions:

Unbelievable!
Are you serious or kidding?
Terrific!
Great!
Extraordinary!

Example:
Great! I never expected you'd succeed.

Function:
Respondingto bad news
Expressions:

I never expected that!
That's kind of strange!
How sad!
Impossible!
Shit!
Hard luck!
How come?

Example:
Hard luck!We lost the match.

Function:
Expressing regret
Expressions:

If only....
I wish....
I regret....
It's a pity I didn't....
I should have....

Example:
If only we had won the match.