Greeting

There are different ways to greet people:

Greeting means welcoming someone with particular words or a particular action.
When meeting people formally for the first time, we greet by shaking hands and saying "How do you do?" or "Pleased
to meet you."
"How do you do?" isn't really a question, it just means "Hello".
When young people meet informally they sometimes greet and say "Give me five!" and slap their hands together (high
five).
Generally we do not greet by shaking hands with people we know well. We greet by just saying 'hi' or 'hello'
Here are some expressions you can use to greet people.

Greeting

Hi, hello.

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening.

How are you?

How are you doing?

How do you do?

Responding to greeting

Hi, hello.

Good morning/Good afternoon/Good evening.

I'm fine thank you (thanks)/Okey! Thank you (thanks)/Can't complain/Not bad.

How about you?/And you?

How do you do?

Things to remember about greeting:

When you greet someone and say:
"How do you do?"
this isn't really a question, it just means "Hello".

Saying Goodbye
There are different expressions or phrases to say goodbye. These parting phrases depend on situations and the people
involved, their social status and personal relationship.

Leaving and saying goodbye

All right, everyone, it's time to head off.

Anyway, guys I'm going to make a move.

Ok, everyone, it's time to leave you.

See you later / tomorrow / soon.

Talk to you later!

If you want to say goodbye in a hurry

I'm so sorry, I've got to rush off / run / hurry!

I'm afraid I'm going to have to rush off / run / hurry!

Saying goodbye politely after meeting someone

Nice to see you.

It's been lovely to see you.

It was great to see you.

Good to see you.

Have a lovely / nice evening.

Have a good day.

Saying goodbye to your hosts

Thanks very much for dinner/ lunch - it was lovely!

Thank you very much for having me.

Other ways to say goodbye

Take care

Bye!

Bye Bye!

Later man / bro!

Have a good one!

It's time to be going!

So Long!

Slang Goodbyes

Catch you later

Peace! / Peace out

I'm out!

Smell you later

Final goodbye

Farewell (when you intend never to see your interlocutor again)

Introducing yourself and other people

Introducing yourself and others
There is a range of ways to introduce yourself and people.

Introducing yourself:
Here are expressions to introduce yourself:

My name is ...

I'm ....

Nice to meet you; I'm ...

Pleased to meet you; I'm ...

Let me introduce myself; I'm ...

I'd like to introduce myself; I'm ...

Introducing others:

Here are expressions to introduce others:

Jack, please meet Nicolas.

Jack, have you met Nicolas?

I'd like you to meet Liza.

I'd like to introduce you to Betty.

Leila, this is Barbara. Barbara this is Leila.

Useful responses when introducing yourself or other people:

Nice to meet you.

Pleased to meet you.

Happy to meet you.

How do you do?

Dialogue:
Alex is talking to the new manager and his assistant. Notice how they introduce themselves:

Alex:
Hi! My name is Alex Litterman, the new manager.
William: Hi! I'm William O'Brian. Nice to meet you, Mr Alex
Litterman.
John:
William, please meet Mr Steve Lynch, my assistant
Jack:
How do you do?
Nicolas: How do you do?

Things to remember:

When introducing yourself or other people in a formal situation use full names. ("I'm Alex
Litterman.")

"How do you do?" isn't really a question, it just means "Hello"

Talking about ability

How to express ability
To express that someone has the power or skill to do something, can and be able are used.
Examples:

I can't help you.I am busy.

I'm unable to help you.

When I was young I was able to earn my living pretty well; I could work hard. Now I can't. I'm too
old.

I can stand on my head for five minutes.

Can you speak Arabic?

Yes, I can.

Expressing ability
In the present:
Express ability in the present as follows:

I can speak good English.

I can't stand on my head.

In the past
Express ability in the past as follows

I was unable to visit him.

I couldn't eat at all when I was ill.

In the future
Express ability in the future as follows

I will be able to buy a house when I get a good job.

The teacher can assist you after class if you have any questions.

Things to remember:

Can is always followed by an infinitive without "to."

Examples:
I can ride my bike and I can drive a car, but I can't drive a lorry.

Can in the past is was able or could

Examples:
When I was young I was able to earn my living pretty well. Now I can't; I'm too old.
I couldn't hear what he was saying.

Can in the future is will be able.

Example:
When I finish my studies, I will be able to find a job.

Asking For And Giving Permission

Asking for and giving permission:

When you ask for permission to use something that belongs to someone else you have to do your best to be polite. It
is desirable to use the word "please."

Asking for Permission:

Can I go out, please?

May I open the window, please?

Please, can I have a look at your photo album?

Please, may I taste that hot spicy couscous dish?

Do you mind if I smoke?

Would you mind if I asked you something?

Is it okay if I sit here?

Would it be all right if I borrowed your mobile Phone?

Giving Permission:

Yes, please do.

Sure, go ahead.

Sure.

No problem.

Please feel free.

Refusing to give permission:

No, please dont.

Im sorry, but thats not possible.

I'm afraid, but you can't.

Dialogue:
Liza, eight years old, is asking her mother for permission to use the computer...

Liza:
Her mother:
Liza:
Her mother:
Liza:

Please mum, can I use the computer?

No, dear you can't. It's time to go to bed.
May I read a story before I sleep?
Sure! But try to sleep early.
Thanks a lot mummy.

Talking About Favorite Things

Talking about favorite things
When you talk about your favorite things you talk about the best liked or most enjoyed things.
Examples:

"What's your favorite color?" "Green."

Study the dialogue:

Leila is talking to her new friend Cathy:
Leila:

What kind of films do you like best?

Cathy:

Science fiction. And you?

Leila:

Comedy. And who's your favorite actor?

Cathy:

Tom Cruise.

Leila:

I like Robert de Nero most.

Asking about favorite things:

What's your favorite sport?

What sport do you like best?

What sport do you like most?

What kind of sport do you like best?

Who's your favorite football player?

Responding:

My favorite sport is football.

I like football best.

I like football most.

My favorite football player is Ronaldo.

Things to remember:

"Favourite" is British spelling.

"Favorite" is American spelling.

Listen to a related song:

My Favorite Things

The lyrics
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into Springs
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad.
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into Springs
These are a few of my favorite things
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad.

Telling The Time

How to tell the time in English?
There are two common ways of telling the time in English. For 2:40 you
can use one of these two ways.

Digital: the easier way - "Two forty "

Classical: you say the minutes first then the hour "twenty to three"

Here are the different ways to ask for and tell the time.

Asking about the time:

What

time is it?
time do you make it?
's the time?

Have you got

the right time?

Telling the time:

Digital

It's ...

It's ...

2.00

two o'clock

two

2.06

six minutes past two

two oh six

2.09

nine minutes past two

two oh nine

2.12

twelve past two

two twelve

2.15

a quarter past two

two fifteen

2.20

twenty past two

two twenty

2.25

twenty-five past two

two twenty-five

2.30

half past two

two thirty

2.35

twenty-five to three

two thirty-five

2.40

twenty to three

two forty

2.45

a quarter to three

two forty-five

2.50

ten to three

two fifty

2.55

five to three

two fifty-five

2.57

three minutes to three

two fifty-seven

2.58

nearly three o'clock

two fifty-eight

Example: Question :What's the time, please?

Answer: Its two oclock.

Making Offers

How to make offers in English?

It is common that English speakers make offers in conversations in order to be polite and helpful. When they do so
they use these expressions:
Can I ?
Shall I ?
Would you like ?
How about ...?
English learner must be able to make offers as well as accept or reject them. The following are useful expressions to
do so.

Making offers:
Can

Shall

help you?
get you some juice?

Would you like

a glass of water ?

How about

some pizza?

Examples:

"Can I help you?"

"Shall I open the window for you?"

"Would you like another cup of coffee?"

"Would you like me to clean the board?"

"How about a juice? "

Remember:

Shall, can and will are followed by the verb without to.
Example:
"Can I help you?"
"Shall I bring you the mobile phone?

Shall is more formal than can.

Would you like is followed either by a noun, or by the verb with to.
Example:
"Would you like some tea ?"
"Would you like to drink some coffee?

Responding to offers
Accepting

Declining

Yes please. I'd like to.

It's OK, I can do it myself.

That would be very kind of you.

Yes please, that would be lovely.
Yes please, I'd love to.
If you wouldn't mind.
If you could.
Thank you, that would be great.

Don't worry, I'll do it.

No, thanks
No, thank you

Examples:

"Can I help you?"

"No thanks, I'm just having a look." (With a shop assistant.)

"Can I help you?"

"Do you know where the post office is."

"Shall I help you with your maths problem?"

"Yes, please. That would be very nice of you."

"Would you like a cup of tea?"

"No thanks." Or, "No thank you."

"Would you like another piece of cake?"

"Yes please, that would be nice ."
"Yes please, I'd love one."

"Would you like me to do the the ironing for you?"

"If you wouldn't mind."
"If you could."

"I'll do the washing, if you like."

"It's OK, I can do it."
"Don't worry, I'll do it."
"Thank you, that would be great."

Shock and disbelief

Expressing shock and disbelief
It is sometimes difficult to say how you feel in unexpected situations, such as natural disasters, bad news ..,
especially when you feel sad.
Here's a list of some common expressions to help you express

shock

and disbelief.

Shock:
I was

shocked to hear
stunned by...
taken aback by

... came as

a complete shock.

I'm in
Examples:

I was shocked to hear the news.

I was stunned / taken aback by the news

I was completely taken aback by his behavior.

I was just stunned by her clothes.

The news came as a complete shock.

We're all in complete shock.

Disbelief:
I (just)

can't believe
can't imagine

It's

unbelievable.
incredible.

Examples:

I just can't believe he won the race.

It's unbelievable that they got married

I just can't imagine they were able to get along with each other.

Expressing Indifference
How to express indifference?
Sometimes you may have no particular interest or concern about something and you want to express indifference
during a conversation. Here are some expressions you can use:

Expressing indifference

So what?

Who cares!

I dont care!

Its all the same to me.

I have no preference.

I suppose so.

I dont mind.

It doesn't matter to me

Whatever (you want).

Whatever you do?

I dont mind.

Its your decision.

Who knows!

Why should I care?

It makes no difference to me.

Making an Appointment
Making an appointment
Being able to make and cancel an appointment is an important skill in English. You need to be able to:

make an appointment,

respond to an appointment and

cancel an appointment.

Here are some expressions you can use to do this concisely and clearly.

Asking to meet:
Are you

available on... / next...?

free on... / next...?

Can we

meet on... / next ...?

would

next ... be ok?

What about

next ... ?

Is

next ... ok?

Examples:

"Are you available on the 17th?"

"Can we meet on the 16th?"

"How does the 3rd sound to you?"

"Are you free next week?"

"Would Friday suit you?"

"Is next Tuesday convenient for you?"

"What about sometime next week?"

Responding to an appointment:
Yes,

... is fine
.... would be fine.

....

suits me
would be perfect.

I'm afraid
I'm sorry

I can't on ....
I won't be able to... on ...

I really don't think I can

on ...

Examples:

"Yes, Monday is fine."

"Monday suits me."

"Thursday would be perfect."

"I'm afraid I can't on the 3rd. What about the 6th?"

"I'm sorry, I won't be able to make it on Monday. Could we meet on Tuesday instead?"

"Ah, Wednesday is going to be a little difficult. I'd much prefer Friday, if that's alright with you."

"I really don't think I can on the 17th. Can we meet up on the 19th?

Cancelling an appointment
You can cancel an appointment as follows

Unfortunately, due to some unforeseen business, I will be unable to keep our appointment for
tomorrow afternoon.

Would it be possible to arrange another time later in the week?

Im afraid that I have to cancel our meeting on Wednesday, as something unexpected has come up.

You know we were going to meet next Friday? Well, I'm very sorry, but something urgent has come
up.

I'm afraid that I'm not going to be able to meet you after all. Can we fix another time?

Making Business Appointments

How to make appointments in English

These are expressions you'll probably need to make and change business appointments in English.

Is it possible to book an
appointment
Can I
May I

to see Mr Jackson
with the lawyer
the doctor
the head of the
department
...

on Monday
morning?
at 10 am?
today?
...

I wonder if I
can

book an
appointment

I'd like to
I need to
I want to

to see Mr Jackson
with the lawyer
the doctor
the head of the
department
...

Preferences
Talking about your preferences:
Questions about preferences

on Monday
morning.
at 10 am.
today.
...

Which do you prefer tea or coffee?

Which do you prefer drinking science or physics?

Which do you prefer to drink juice or mineral water? (Notice: prefer to +

present simple)

Which do you like better basketball or football?

Do you prefer pizza or spaghetti?

Would you prefer to eat a cake or a fruit?

Would you rather eat a cake or a fruit?

I prefer baseball.

I'd prefer to drink juice

I'd rather drink mineral water

If I had a choice, I would eat a sandwich.

A cup of coffee would be suitable.

Replies

Things to remember about preferences

1.

"I'd prefer" + to + verb

2.

"I'd rather" + verb

Making invitations
Making invitations
Do you know how to invite someone to your house for dinner or to go to the movies?
What do you say in English when someone invites you?
Here are some common expressions you can use when making or responding to invitations

Inviting:

Do you want to go to the movies tonight?

Would you like to go to the theater tomorrow?

Would you be interested in going to the the stadium next Sunday?

How do you fancy going to the the restaurant for dinner?

How about going to the movies?

Care to come over for lunch?

I was just wondering if you would like to come over for a drink.

We'd be delighted to have you over for my birthday party.

Accepting invitations:

Sure. What time?

I'd love to, thanks.

That's very kind of you, thanks.

That sounds lovely, thank you.

What a great idea, thank you.

Sure. When should I be there?

Declining invitations:

I can't. I have to work.

This evening is no good. I have an

appointment.

I'm busy tomorrow. Can I take a rain

check* on that?

That's very kind of you, but actually

I'm doing something else this
afternoon.

Well, I'd love to, but I'm already going

out to the restaurant.

I'm really sorry, but I've got something else on.

I really don't think I can - I'm supposed to be doing something else.

(*rain check: used to tell someone that you cannot accept invitations now, but would like to do so at a later time)

Dialogue:
Mike and Ann are in a wedding party:

Mike:
Ann:
Mike:
Ann:

Do you want to dance?

No thanks. I'm a bit tired right now
How about having a drink?
Sure, I'd love to!

Talking about likes and dislikes

Expressing likes and dislikes
To talk about your likes and dislikes, you can use these expressions.

Expressing likes:

I like

I love...

I adore

I m crazy about

Im mad about

I enjoy

Im keen on

Expressing dislikes:

I dont like

I dislike...

I hate

I abhor

I cant bear...

I cant stand

I detest...

I loathe...

Examples of likes and dislikes :

I'm mad about basketball, but I cant bear ice hockey.
I adore reading poetry, but I loathe doing the housework.

If you neither like nor dislike something:

"I don't mind doing the housework."

Things to remember about likes and dislikes:

1. When these expressions are followed by a verb, the latter is put in the -ing form.
Examples:
"I like listening to music."
"I hate wearing sunglasses."

I like

VERB+ING

I detest
I don't mind
2. Note that" very much" & " a lot" always come after the things you like.
Examples:
"I like basketball very much/a lot. NOT" I like very much/a lot basketball."
3. Be careful when you use "I don't mind..."
Examples:
"Do you mind playing football?"
"No, I don't mind."(Although it's in a negative form, it means that it's ok for me. I neither love it nor hate it.)

Dialogue:
Steve is at home. His girlfriend comes in...Notice how they express their likes and dislikes

Steve:
Girlfriend:
Steve:
Girlfriend:
Steve:
Girlfriend:

Hello, darling. Do you fancy watching a film tonight?

Oh, no thanks, I don't really feel like watching a film tonight.
How about going out instead.
OK. Do you feel like going to the theater?
Oh, no. I hate it. Do you like eating at the new Chinese
restaurant?
I don't mind. The Chinese cuisine is alright.
Well I really love it. Let's go.

Describing people and things

Describing:
What are some good ways to describe

people?

things?

feelings?

yourself?

personality?

See the phrases below for examples of descriptions in English.

Questions:
What

does Leila / the house look like?

can you tell me about Leila / the house?
is Leila / the house like?

Tell

me about Leila / the house!

Responses:
Well, she's

old, young, middle aged, fat, overweight, slim, thin, skinny, blonde, redhead, well-built, tall, dark, beautiful, funny, cute, really rich, gorgeous ...

She has got

oval face, square face, round face, long, black hair, straight hair, curly hair,
blue eyes, round face, long nose, fair skin , bushy eyebrows, regular teeth,
crooked teeth, rosy cheeks...

She's kind of

chubby, thin, slim, obese, tall, skinny, short, intelligent, silly, nice, naughty...

It's

big, small, comfortable, clean ...

Short dialogues:
Martha wants Liza to describe the new secretary:

Martha: What's the new secretary like?

Liza:
She's cute. She's got long hair and a round face.
Martha wants Liza to describe the new apartment:

Martha: Tell me about your new apartment!

Liza:
It's big. It has got three bedrooms, a comfortable living room,
and a spacious kitchen.

Expressing obligation
Expressing obligation
When it is necessary or obligatory to do something, you express obligation.

Obligation in the present:

I have to finish my work before this evening.

I have got to learn English if I want to live in the USA.

I must see the doctor soon because I don't feel well.

It is obligatory that I stop when the traffic light turn red.

It is necessary that I take a taxi. I'm late.

Obligation in the past:

I had to work extra hours to pay my bills.

Obligation in the future:

I'll have to borrow money.

Things to remember:
[Link] difference between "Have to" and "must" is that "have to"indicates that someone else has imposed conditions
on us.
2. The simple past of "must" is "had to".
3. The simple future of "must" is "will have to".
4. Should also expresses obligation. But there is a difference between must / have to and should:

must / have to = 100% obligation. "When the traffic light turn red, you must stop."

should = 50% obligation. It's more an advice than an obligation. " You look tired. you should have a
rest."

Dialogue:
Policeman: Don't you know that you must stop when the traffic lights are red?
Driver:
Sorry sir. I was so absent-minded that I didn't pay attention to the traffic
lights.
Policeman: Well sir, you'll have to pay a fine!

Expressing Prohibition
Expressing prohibition
To express prohibition the following expressions are used.

To express prohibition you can use:

It is prohibited to ...

You arent allowed to ...

You mustnt ...

You arent permitted to ...

It is forbidden to ...

Parking is strictly prohibited between these gates.

Students aren't allowed to come too late to school.

Drivers mustn't park their cars here.

It is forbidden to walk on grass.

Smoking isn't permitted in hospitals.

People aren't permitted to throw rubbish here.

Examples:

Dialogue:
Notice how prohibition is expressed in this dialogue

The security agent:

Hey, you. What are you doing here? You aren't allowed to enter
this building.

Mr O'Brian:

Sorry, but I have an appointment with Dr Leila O'Biran. She's my

daughter.

The security agent:

Show me your ID card please.

Mr O'Brian:

Here you are, sir.

The security agent:

Well...That sounds OK. Dr Leila O'Brian is in the 3rd floor. You

can take the lift sir.

Asking for and Giving advice

Expressions
Asking for advice:

I've got a bad toothache. What do you suggest?

What do you advise me to do?

What should I do?

What ought I to do?

What's your advice?

If you were me what would you do?

Giving advice

If I were you, I would go to the dentist.

Why don't you go to the dentist?

You'd better brush your teeth regularly.

You ought to/should avoid eating sweets.

If you take my advice, you'll go to the dentist.

It might be a good idea to brush your teeth on a regular basis.

I advise you to brush your teeth on a regular basis.

Have you thought about seeing a dentist.

Declining to give advice

I don't know what to advise, I'm afraid.

I wish I could suggest something, but I can't.

I wish I could help.

I'm afraid I can't really help you.

Things to remember about asking for

and giving advice:
1. "Advise" is a verb.
Example:
"I advise you to learn English. You will undoubtedly need it in
your higher studies"
2. "Advice" is a noun.
Example:
"My father gave me this piece of advice when I was young:
never give up"
3. "Ought to" has nearly the same meaning as "should". The
only difference is that "ought to " refers to a moral or
external obligation but should is more of an advice.
Example:

"You ought to stop smoking."

"You should stop smoking."
4. "You'd better" is the short form of "you had better"
Example:
"You'd better see a doctor!" = "You had better see the doctor"

Study the dialogue:

Student: I'm terrible at English and I think I should do something about it. What do you advise me to
do?
Teacher: I think you should try this website. It's a fantastic website for beginners.
Student: I've heard about it, but what do you think I should start with?
Teacher: You'd better start with the [Link], try the exercises.

Expressing lack of necessity (Absence of obligation)

Expressing lack of necessity
To express lack of necessity (also called absence of obligation), speakers usually use "don't have to", don't need to",
"needn't" .
The form that we use to express lack of necessity could be one of the following:

He doesn't have to get up early.

He doesn't need to get up early.

He needn't get up early

Expressing lack of necessity in the present:

I don't

have

to take my umbrella. It isn't raining

need
I

needn't take my umbrella. It isn't raining

I don't have to drive fast.

I don't need to write the report myself. My secretary can do that for me.

I needn't buy all these things.

It isn't necessary to take your umbrella. It isn't raining.

Expressing lack of necessity in the past:

I

didn't

have

to take my raincoat. It wasn't raining

need
I

needn't

have

taken my raincoat

I didn't have to tell him about my project. He already knew everything about it.

Expressing lack of necessity in the future:

I

won't

have

to take my jacket. It won't be cold.

need

I won't have to call on my grandfather tomorrow morning. He'll be at the doctor's for his regular
medical check up.

Things to remember about expressing luck of necessity:

1."Lack of necessity" is also called "absence of obligation".
2. "Needn't" is followed by an infinitive without "to".
Example: " I needn't buy tomatoes".
3. - In the past there is a difference in the negative forms of need:

didn't need = didn't have to

I didn't need to wait, she was just on time.
(She was on time. I didn't have to wait.)

needn't = absence of obligation/lack of necessity

We needn't have waited, they didn't come.
(It was useless to wait. They didn't come)

Dialogue:
A student is asking the teacher about his homework:

Teacher: You don't have to write a long essay; a short one would be ok!
Student: What about the grammar exercise do we need to revise the lesson before
we can do it?
Teacher: No, you needn't do the exercise at home as we will surely do it together
in the next English lesson.
Student: Ok! Good bye sir.
Teacher: Good bye!

Making and responding to suggestions

Suggestions
The following English phrases and expressions are all used to make suggestions and give advice to people.

Making suggestions:

Lets revise our lessons.

What about going to the cinema tonight?

How about playing cards?

Why don't we do our homework?

Couldn't we invite your grandmother to our party?

Shall we have a walk along the river?

What would you say to a cup of coffee?

Don't you think it is a good idea to watch TV?

Does it matter if we use your car?

Accepting suggestions:

Ok. Yes, let's.

Yes, I'd like to.

Yes, I'd love to.

What a good idea!

Why not?

Yes, with pleasure.

Yes, I feel like taking a walk.

That sounds like a good idea.

Refusing suggestions:

No, let's not.

No, I'd rather not.

I don't feel like it.

I dislike going for a walk.

What an awful / bad idea!

Things to remember about suggestions:

[Link] verb "suggest" can be followed by either:

should + verb = I suggest (that) we should go to the theater.

a verb (in the subjunctive form)= I suggest (that) we go to the movies.

2."That" is optional:

"I suggest that we should visit Paris."

"I suggest we should visit Paris."

Dialogue:
Two friends talking about where to go this evening:

Alice: You know Alan, why don't we go to the cinema to watch Titanic?
Alan: No, let's not. We've seen the film many times before. What about
going to the library? We have to finish our school project!
Alice: That sounds like a good idea. But when we finish let's go to the
caf.
Alan: Yes, I'd love to.

Expressing Your Opinion

How to express your opinion
Expressing opinion
I think...
As far as I'm concerned,..
To my mind,...
According to me,...
As I see it, ...
It seems to me that...
In my point of view / my opinion,....
From my point of view...
I am of the opinion that...
I take the view that. ..
My personal view is that...
In my experience...
As far as I understand / can see/see it,...

Agreeing or disagreeing
Agreeing with an opinion:
I agree with this opinion.
I completely agree with this view.

This is absolutely right.

I couldn't / can't agree more.

Partial agreement:
I agree with this point of view, but...
This idea is right, but...
I agree with you, but...

Disagreeing with an opinion:

I'm afraid. I can't agree with you.
I disagree with you.
I don't agree with you.
I'm not sure I agree with you
I think you're wrong

Complaining - Talking about Complaints

What are complaints?
Complaints are expressions of "displeasure or annoyance" in response to an action that is seen by the speaker as
unfavorable. Suppose you want to complain about the pizza you have just ordered because it's too salty, what are the
expressions needed to express and respond to complaints?

Complaining:
Here are expressions you can use when complaining:

I have a complaint to make. ...

Sorry to bother you but...

I'm sorry to say this but...

I'm afraid I've got a complaint about...

I'm afraid there is a slight problem with...

Excuse me but there is a problem about...

I want to complain about...

I'm angry about...

Examples:
I have a complaint to make.
I'm sorry to say this but

Your pizza is just too salty.

your food is inedible.

1. I'm afraid I've got a complaint about your [Link]'s too noisy .

2. I'm afraid there is a slight problem with the service in this hotel.
[Link] me but you are standing on my foot.
4. I want to complain about the noise you are making.
5. I'm angry about the way you treat me.

Responding to complaints
Positive response to complaints:

I'm so sorry, but this will never occur / happen again.

I'm sorry, we promise never to do the same mistake again.

I'm really sorry; we'll do our utmost/best not to do the same mistake again.

Negative response to complaints:

Sorry there is nothing we can do about it.

I'm afraid, there isn't much we can do about it.

We are sorry but the food is just alright.

Things to remember about complaints:

When expressing a complaint in English, it helps to be polite. Although "I'm angry about your pizza. It's too salty" is
one possible way of expressing a complaint, it is considered too rude and you'd better use more polite expressions if
you want to get what you want!

Expressing Hope 1
The difference between "wish" and "hope"
How to use "wish"

Wish is most commonly used in hypothetical (or imagined/unreal) situations:

Example:
I wish (that) you were here. (Unfortunately, you're not, and I miss you.)

Sometimes wish is used in greeting and expressions of goodwill:

Example:
We wish you a "Merry Christmas."

How to use "hope"

Hope can also be used in expressions of goodwill, but the grammar is slightly
different:
Examples:
I hope (that) you have a Merry Christmas. (some time in the future)
I hope (that) you had a nice Birthday. (some time in the past)

Hope can be used to specify a desired outcome. For future hopes, the
possibilities remain open, but for past hopes, the outcome has usually been
determined already.
Examples:
I hope you can come to the party on Saturday.(future possibility)
I was hoping that you would come to the party.(but you didn't)
I had hoped to see you at the party on Saturday. (but I didn't)

Other ways to express hope

You can also express hope in the following ways:

I would like to have a car.

I really want to have a car

What I really want is to have a car.

Remember:

"I wish you had done the work" is a regret. You didn't do the work (in the past) and I am annoyed
because of that.

Expressing a wish or a regret 2

Use of I wish / if only:
There are three distinct types of I wish / if only sentences:
1.

Wish, wanting change for the present or future with the simple past.

2.

Regret with the past perfect.

3.

Complaints with would + verb.

Expressing a wish:
Form:
If only / I wish + simple past
Example:

If only I knew how to use a computer. (I dont know how to use a computer and I would like to learn how to use it)

Use:

To express a wish in the present or in the future.

The simple past here is an unreal past.

When you use the verb to be the form is were.

Example:
I wish I were a millionaire!

Expressing regret:
Form:
If only / I wish + past perfect
Example:
If only I had woken up early. (I didn't wake up early and I missed my bus.)

Use:

To express a regret.

The action is past.

Complaining:
Form:
I wish / if only + would + verb
Example:
I wish you wouldn't arrive so late all the time (I'm annoyed because you always come late and I want you to arrive on
time)

Use:

To complain about a behavior that you disapprove.

Expressing impatience, annoyance or dissatisfaction with a present action.

Agreement, Partial Agreement And Disagreement.

Agreement, partial agreement and disagreement

The way people agree or disagree in an argument or discussion varies in different languages.

Agreement:

It is worthwhile saying that silence is not understood as agreement. If you agree with an opinion or
an idea, you are expected to say so.

Expressions

There is no doubt about it that...

I completely / absolutely agree with you.
I agree with you entirely.
I totally agree with you.
I simply must agree with that.
I am of the same opinion.
I am of the same opinion.
Thats exactly what I think.

Disagreement:

Expressing disagreement is always respected as honest, and sometimes as courageous.

Expressions

I don't agree with you.

Im sorry, but I disagree.
I'm afraid, I can't agree with you.
The problem is that...
I (very much) doubt whether...
This is in complete contradiction to...
With all due respect,
I am of a different opinion because ...
I cannot share this / that / the view.
I cannot agree with this idea.
What I object to is...
I have my own thoughts about that.

Partial agreement:

You can also agree but with reservation especially when there is a doubt or feeling of not being
able to accept something completely

Well, you could be right.

Expressions

It is only partly true that...

Thats true, but
I can agree with that only with reservations.
That seems obvious, but...
That is not necessarily so.
It is not as simple as it seems.
I agree with you in principle, but
I agree with you in part, but