In-positive / Confidence url
To a child going in for an operation
- It’ll be over before you know it.
- It’s all going to work out.
- It’s going to be alright.
- It’ll happen before you know it.
- We’ll pull you through it fine.
- It should be smooth sailing ahead.
- We’re in the best of hands.
- You don’t have to worry about a thing.
- You’ll be very well taken care of.
To a child going in for an operation
Out-neutral / Advice url
Realistic-1
- Try to be realistic, don’t be fooled by wishful thinking.
- You’re kidding yourself.
- You can only go so far.
- Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
- Life’s not fun and games.
- In my opinion, you’re just fooling yourself.
- I’m just suggesting that you should look at your options again, because in the long run, I think you’re setting yourself up for endless let downs.
- Try to see the situation for what it is, because it’s better if you don’t have to learn that the hard way.
- It’s a question you have to ask yourself.
- You have to be realistic.
- You’re living in a fool’s paradise.
- The reason your ideas are not more successful is that they are all half-baked.
- You’re spending money like it was going out of style.
Realistic-1
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
You are wrong
- That’s where you’re wrong.
- I should think not.
- That’s out of the question.
- That’s not so.
- If you think I’m going to go along with you on that, you have another guess coming.
- You had your chance.
- You just wait and see.
- I wouldn’t be so sure of that.
- That doesn’t even come close.
- You’re sadly mistaken.
- You couldn’t fool me for a minute.
- You are way off base.
- Nothing could be further from the truth.
- That option is just not in the realm of possibility.
- That choice is just out of the question.
You are wrong
Out-positive / Agreement url
Would you like to go for a walk in the park?
- I’m ready whenever you are.
- That sounds like a great idea.
- Sounds good to me.
- Now is as good a time as any.
- There’s nothing I’d like better.
- Yes indeed.
- All righty!
- Now is as good a time as any.
- I’m ready, willing, and able.
Would you like to go for a walk in the park?
In-negative / Doubt url
Being told you should convince the company president to change policy
- That’s like the tail wagging the dog.
- That’s not the way to go about doing it.
- I don’t think that will work out so well.
- He won’t go for that.
- It might have just the opposite from the intended effect.
- The effort could boomerang on our heads.
- He might not take it the right way.
- You’ve got to be kidding!
- It’s not worth it.
Being told you should convince the company president to change policy
Out-negative / Annoyed url
Listen to me-2
- Are you paying attention – it seems that what I’m saying is going in one ear and out the other.
- You got that?
- Can you get it through your thick skull?
- I’m trying to pound it into your head.
- You’re memory is like a sieve.
- Out with it.
- Don’t you ever forget that.
- Give me a straight answer.
- Why can’t I get through to you?
- You’re excused, but make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Listen to me-2
In-positive / Determination url
Director of a Broadway musical
- This is one of the most important things we’ve ever done.
- Let’s get going without delay!
- Give me a half of chance, and I’ll show you what I can accomplish.
- Let’s get the ball rolling.
- Let’s get the show on the road.
- The show must go on.
Director of a Broadway musical
Out-neutral url
Patience-2
- Don’t make a snap decision.
- Rome wasn’t built in a day.
- She just needs time.
- Sleep on it.
- Sit tight!
- It takes time.
- Be patient and cool your heels, because I fully expect that she’ll come around eventually.
- Keep your shirt on.
- We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Patience-2
Out-positive / Agreement url
Instead of throwing out plastic bottles, I think we should recycle them.
- That really hits the nail on the head.
- I hear you as clear as a bell.
- That’s exactly what I think.
- Good idea.
- I can’t argue with you.
- I must admit that I see your point.
- You’re absolutely right.
- That’s true.
- That's not a bad idea.
- I couldn’t agree with you more.
- That sounds like a plan.
Instead of throwing out plastic bottles, I think we should recycle them.
Out-neutral / Advice url
Trust yourself
- You know what’s best.
- You ought to know.
- Let your conscience be your guide.
- But if it feels good do it.
- Go with your gut.
- Ask yourself how you really feel about it, and base your decision on that.
Trust yourself
In-neutral / Caution url
Thinking of taking a high interest loan
- What am I getting myself into this time?
- I hope that this is not something that I will live to regret.
- I have to ask myself, is it worth it?
- If I’m mistaken, things could all come tumbling down.
- I should know better than that.
- There’s got to be an easier way.
- Don’t do anything precipitously that you can’t easily undo.
- I could end up in trouble up to my ears.
- I shouldn’t get myself involved with something that I can’t get out of.
- Let’s cool our heels, and be patient and wait to see what happens.
- I should have realized from the very beginning that it’s important not to spend a lot more than you earn if you don’t want to end up being saddled with a lot of debt - and now it doesn't look as if I have any good options to choose from.
Thinking of taking a high interest loan
Out-positive / Friendship url
Saying goodbye-1
- Glad I caught you just before you were about to leave.
- Keep me posted.
- Have a good day.
- Enjoy yourself.
- Have a great day.
- See you soon.
- I’ll be in touch.
- OK, I’d better run.
- See you later alligator.
- Got to run.
- See you around.
- Sleep tight and don’t let the bedbugs bite.
- We’ll have to get together more often.
- It was great seeing you again.
- Don’t make yourself a stranger.
Saying goodbye-1