FUNCTIONS

1 Opinion

Asking for opinion Giving opinion

– What is your opinion about.............? – In my opinion,........................

– What do you think about..................? – In my view,.....................
– What is your view about....................? – For me,..........................
– In your opinion, ...................................? – To my mind,.....................
– From my point of view,..............
– I think that.../ I believe that.......
– As far as I am concerned,........

Example Give your opinion about using Moroccan Arabic in course books.
• In my opinion, using Moroccan Arabic may make students neglect their classic language.
• In my view, using Moroccan Arabic in textbooks may help students understand the lessons better.

Exercise What would you say in the following situations?

1. Some Egyptian channels are a waste of time, don’t you think so?
You: (give your opinion)
2. What do you think of the Moroccan football team’s last performance?
You: (give your opinion)
3. Jane: I changed may hair style. (ask for opinion)
Jack: (give your opinion)

2 Express agreement & disagreement

Expressing agreement Expressing disagreement

– I agree. ............... – I disagree.

– Of course. – I don’t agree with you.
– I think so. – Of course, not.
– You are right. – I don’t think so.
– Absolutely. – You are wrong.
– Exactly. – I ‘m afraid. I disagree.
– I couldn’t agree more. – That’s not always true.

Example English is one of the most spoken languages in the world.

• I agree. English is one of the most spoken languages all over the world.
• You are right. Millions of people speak English worldwide.

Example Dinner is the most important meal of the day.

• I don’t agree with you. Dinner is not the most important meal of the day.
• You are wrong. Lunch is the most important meal of the day.

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 Exercise What would you say in the following situations?
1. Exercising regularly keeps you fit and healthy.
You: (express agreement)
2. Tutors should do the homework to their students.
You: (express disagreement)
3. Some new married couples prefer to live with their parents after marriage.
You: (Do you agree or disagree and why)

3 Making a request

Making a request Accepting the request Declining the request / refusing

– Can you..........................., please? – Yes, I can. – Sorry, I can’t.

– Could you please,........................? – Of course. – I am afraid, not.
– Will you........................................? – Yes, sure. – I am sorry, no.
– Would you.....................................? – With pleasure. – I wish I could but...........
– Would you mind + v+ ing – Not at all. – Yes, I mind.

Example You need some money to pay the rent. Ask your friend, Manuel, to lend you some.
• Manuel, could you lend me some money, please? I need to pay the rent.
• Manuel, would you mind lending me some money? I need to pay the rent.

Exercise What would you say in the following situations?

1. Ask your teacher to clarify more the meaning of a word.
You: (make a request)
2. Could you switch on the TV, please?
You: (accept the request)
3. Can you help me carry this baggage to the train station, please?
Mark: (decline and give a reason)

4 Lack of understanding & asking for clarification

Lack of understanding Asking for clarification

– I beg your pardon. – Could you repeat, please?

– I don’t understand. – What do you mean by “.........”?
– I am not quite sure I follow you. – Could you be more specific?
– I am sorry. I didn’t hear what you said. – Could you possibly explain more?
– I didn’t get your point. – Would you elaborate on that, please?

Example • Interviewer: I am afraid we accept only polyglots in our hotel.

• Interviewee: I beg your pardon. What do you mean by a “polyglot”?
• Interviewer: I mean we just accept those who speak many languages.
Exercise What would you say in the following situations?
1. The doctor: If you want to keep fit, you need to exercise regularly and eat healthy food.
You: (express lack of understanding)
2. The police officer: Sorry, Sir, your driving license expired a couple of days ago.
You: (express lack of understanding and ask for clarification)

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 5 Asking for and giving advice

Asking for advice Giving advice Accepting advice

– What should I do? – I advise you (not) to.............. – That’s a good idea, thanks.
– How can you advise me? – You should (not)............. – It sounds a good idea.
– What’s your advice for me? – You ought (not) to...........
– I don’t know what to do. Can you – You’d better (not) .........
help me? – If I were you, I would.........

Example I have a terrible headache. What should I do?

• You should see a doctor now.
• You’d better have some rest.

Exercise What would you say in the following situations?

1. Your friend: It’s my best friend’s birthday and I don’t know what to bring him as a gift.
You: (give him a piece of advice)
2. I have an English test next week but I didn’t understand some lessons.
You: (ask your friend for advice)
You: (give him a piece of advice)

6 Expressing a complaint

Express complaint Positive answer Negative answer

– I am sorry, but................ – I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize – Well, there’s nothing I can do about it.
– I am sorry. I have a complaint that. – I can’t do anything about it.
about........ – I just don’t know what
– Sorry to say this, but........ to say.
– I’m afraid. I have a complaint to – Oh! I am sorry about that.
make. ............
– I am not satisfied with the way.......

Example Your neighbour turned on the music aloud last night and you couldn’t sleep.
• I am sorry to have to say this, but your music was loud last night.
• I am afraid. I have a complaint to make. You turned on the music aloud last night.

Exercise What would you say in the following situations?

1. You were in a bank and one of the clients didn’t respect the queue.
You: (Make a complaint)
The client (respond positively)
2. Someone put rubbish in front of your flat front door.
You: (Complain to the doorman)
3. The service is terrible in the hostel you are staying at.
You: (Complain to the manager)

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 7 Expressing an apology

Make an apology Responding to apologies

– I am sorry. – It’s not a problem.

– I am terribly sorry (for + verb + ing) – That’s OK.
– I do apologize. – It’s all right.
– I am really sorry about this. – It’s Okay. Don’t worry.
– I can’t tell you how sorry I am. – It doesn’t matter.

Example You came late. You apologize to the teacher.

• I am sorry, Sir, I am late.
• I am terribly sorry, Sir, for being late. I missed the bus.

Exercise What would you say in the following situations?

1. You mispronounced your classmates’ name.
You: (apologize to him)
Your classmate (respond to the apology)
2. You dialled a wrong number by mistake and you called someone you didn’t know.
You: (make an apology)

8 Suggestion

Make a suggestion Respond positively Respond negatively

– Let’s...............? – Ok let’s. - No let’s not.

– How about + verb + ing.........? – That’s a good idea. - I don’t think that’s a good idea.
– What about + verb + ing...........? – That sounds a good idea, - Yes, but.................
– Why don’t we.......................? thanks.
– Do you fancy + verb + ing......? – Yes, why not.

Example You and your friend are free this afternoon. Suggest doing or going somewhere.
• Let’s go to the movies. I am bored.
• How about watching a film this afternoon?

Exercise What would you say in the following situations?

1. Your teacher wants to organize a trip abroad. Suggest a country you like to go to.
You:
Your teacher:(respond )
2. Your father’s car always breaks down.
You: (suggest a solution to him)
3. Your friend: I am hungry now.
You: (Suggest eating something)

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 9 Good & bad news

Responding to good news Responding to bad news

That’s good news! That’s bad news!

That’s wonderful! That’s terrible!
I’m glad to hear that! I’m sad to hear that!
Congratulations! How sad!
Really? I can’t believe it. That must be awful!

Example
• You: My brother got married last week.
Your friend: I am glad to hear that! Congratulations!
• You: I failed my driving test yesterday.
Your friend: Oh, that’s terrible.

Exercise What would you say in the following situations?

1. You: My wife is pregnant. She’s expecting a baby in the coming months.
Your friend: (respond)
2. You: Our classmate, Adam, didn’t pass his BAC exam.
Teacher: (respond)

10 Prohibition

You mustn’t.................. Example

You can’t................ • You mustn’t smoke in this area.

• No parking in this place. It’s a private property.
You are not allowed to................
You are not permitted to.................... Exercise What would you say in the following situations?
Don’t................ 1. Write a note in which you prohibit fishing in the lake.
You:
It’s forbidden to..................
2. Write a note in which you prohibit feeding animals in the zoo.
No + Verb +ing
You:

11 Definition

Example
………………is……………………… • An atheist is someone who does not believe in the existence of god.
• Zoology refers to the scientific study of the behaviours of animals.
………….refers to…………….
…………….can be defined as……… Exercise Re-write these sentences differently.
………can be considered as……….. 1. Xenophobia is the fear that you have towards foreigners.
……………….refers to…………. You:
2. A protagonist is the main character in a play, film, book or story.
You:
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 12 Permission

Asking for permission Giving permission

May I ...................................................................? You may........................

Can I.....................................................................? You can.........................
Do you mind if..................................................?
Is it OK if .............................................................?
Would it be all right if.....................................?

Example Get permission from your father to use his laptop for a while.
• Dad, can I use your laptop for a while?
• Dad, is it Ok if I use your laptop?

Exercise What would you say in the following situations?

1. Get permission from your teacher to go to the rest room.

You:
2. Get permission to take a picture of an old lady and post it on your Facebook.
You:

13 Necessity & lack of necessity

Necessity (obligation) Lack of necessity (no obligation)

...must.... ......needn’t....
have to ......don’t have to

Example Necessity
• You must respect the traffic code.
• Students have to do their homework.

Example Lack of necessity

• You needn’t have bought all this dessert. We have some apples left in the fridge.
• He doesn’t have to take a taxi. The office is just in the corner.

Exercise Necessity or lack of necessity?

1. You must stop when the light is red.

2. There are many eggs in the basket. You don’t need to buy more.
3. I have a stomach-ache; I should see a doctor.
4. It’s Sunday. So, he doesn’t have to wake up early. .
5. I didn’t need to tell him about my absence. He already knew I was sick
6. My aunt has to pay all the taxes every year.
7. She needn’t buy all this food.
8. He had to study last night because he had an exam.
9. He didn’t have to take the umbrella last night.

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 14 Ability & inability

Ability Inability Example

Can Can’t • I can read Japanese books and speak Spanish.

Could Couldn’t • Jack could play soccer well when he was in his twenties.
Be able to Be able to • I couldn’t do the project work yesterday because I was sick.

Exercise can or can’t?

1. Jack is blind. He see anything.
2. Susan drive well; she has never made an accident.
3. Mrs. Wilson is rich. She buy anything she wants.
4. A comedian tell jokes and make the audience laugh.
5. The student do the exercise by himself; the teacher’s helping him.

15 Certainty & uncertainty

Certainty Uncertainty Example

I am sure. Mark and his wife will come today.
I am sure; I am not sure.
I am not sure, but he might steal that cell phone.
I am absolutely sure. Definitely, not.
He’s got a lot of factories and cars. He must be rich.
I am certain. Certainly, not.
Definitely. I am not certain. Exercise What would you say in the following situations?
Of course.
1. Will you go to France to continue your higher education?
............must................
You: (express uncertainty)
2. Will you get the first mark in English all over Morocco?
You: (express certainty)

16 Possibility

Possibility Example
............ may............... 1. I may go to the movies tonight.
............ might............... 2. He might arrive now.
............ can............... 3. It can be very cold in Canada.
............ could............... 4. The kid could lose the directions.

Exercise Fill in the blanks with the right answer.

1. Where’s Sandy? - I don’t know. She be in the park. (must - could - have to)
2. I called him but no answer. He have left the office. (might - should - needn’t)
3. It get hot there ; take off your coat. (must - can - have to)
4. They have finished early if they had started early. (should - could- will)

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