In-neutral / Caution url
A publisher given a story that might be libelous
- I just can’t chance it.
- I’m going to treat it with kid gloves.
- It could blow sky high.
- Let’s not rush into things.
- I may be sitting on a time bomb.
- One option is for is for me to just wait it out.
- I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.
- It’s best if I wait until the whole thing blows over.
- I just don’t feel like bucking the system.
- I’m inclined to just tiptoe around the whole situation.
- I think if I got involved in any way I would be playing with fire.
- My gut feeling is that I should just leave it well enough alone.
- The fact that no one else wants to do it is not a good sign.
- I don't know the person involved from a hole in the wall, and I think I should regard that as a warning signal.
A publisher given a story that might be libelous
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 / Encouragement url
To a fellow worker who was scolded for being late too often
- Between you and me, I think you got off pretty easy this time.
- You put up a good front.
- You and I know that you can do better than that.
- That’s to be expected.
- I’d say you got off easy.
- It’s not earth shattering.
- What did you expect?
- You need to stand up for yourself.
- It happens to the best of us.
- You and I know that you can do better than that.
To a fellow worker who was scolded for being late too often
In-negative / Explaining url
Not doing work assignment on time
- I bit off more than I could chew.
- I didn’t accomplish as much as I thought I would.
- I took my best shot.
- That’s the best that I can do.
- It took me longer than I thought it would.
- I’ve been under a lot of pressure lately.
- I was sure I could do more in the time that I had.
- The whole thing blew up in my face.
- I promise to do better next time.
- I don’t know how to answer your question.
- It totally slipped my mind.
- I knew there was something I forgot to do.
- I have no excuse.
Not doing work assignment on time
Out-positive / Agreement url
I think they should play more classical music on the local radio station
- That would be a step in the right direction.
- That seems like a reasonable idea.
- That’s exactly in line with my thinking.
- That’s a great idea.
- You took the words right out of my mouth.
- I think they should give it a try.
- I’d like that.
I think they should play more classical music on the local radio station
In-positive / Confidence url
Traveling by car to a new destination
- It’s a hop, skip, and a jump away from here.
- It’s not that far as the crow flies.
- So far, so good.
- It’s clear sailing from here on in.
- It’s going to be smooth sailing from here on in.
- What could possibly go wrong?
- Now I wouldn’t let anything bad happen, would I?
- I know what I’m doing.
- I'm going to wing it.
Traveling by car to a new destination
In-positive / Confidence url
Shopping for clothes for camp
- You’ll be out of here so fast your head will spin.
- We’re getting our money’s worth.
- That was a productive use of our time.
- I’ve got it all under control.
- I’m going to have to ride shotgun on this task to make sure it gets done.
- Now this certainly seems like a worthwhile endeavor.
Shopping for clothes for camp
In-positive / Determination url
Politician running for office
- Don’t give up the ship.
- Of all the things I’m doing, this is one of the most important.
- There’s more that one way to skin a cat.
- It’s a long shot.
- That would be something that I would likely do.
- Back up your ideas with courage that will not back down, and there will be no way too long, no road too rough.
- It’s a race against time.
- I shall return.
- I think we’re going to have to bite the bullet.
- That’s when the really hard part comes.
- I’m going to move heaven and earth trying.
Politician running for office
In-positive / Relief url
Getting a clean bill of health from the doctor after a major health concern
- When I saw the results, it was a sight for sore eyes.
- What a relief!
- I’m so grateful that it was only a false alarm We can breathe a sigh of relief.
- That’s what we’ve been waiting for.
- It took a bit of time, but it was certainly worth the wait.
- It was a blessedly short time before I heard the good news.
- I thank my lucky stars.
Getting a clean bill of health from the doctor after a major health concern
In-positive / Determination url
Student work on a term-paper
- This deserves my total focus and undivided attention.
- I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it and feel more familiar with the whole topic.
- I’ll get it done in no time at all.
- I’m going to hit the ground running.
- The task I faced was difficult, but I rose to the challenge.
- We’re wrapping it up.
- There’s no time like the present.
- Stay the course.
- I really have my work cut out for me.
Student work on a term-paper
In-negative / Doubt url
To friend who claims he knows how to win the lottery
- The chances of that happening are pretty close to zero.
- How do you figure that?
- You don’t say?
- Don’t count on it.
- You can’t mean that.
- It doesn’t work that way.
- That’s what they all say.
- How can you be so cock-sure of yourself?
- It’s all in your head.
- It’s not very likely to happen that way.
- It’s about time you started being realistic.
- Wake up and smell the coffee.
To friend who claims he knows how to win the lottery
Out-neutral / Advice url
Accept it-1
- Come to terms with it.
- You can’t always get what you want.
- I don’t think you have a choice.
- You’d better get used to it.
- It’s a change for the best.
- You can’t make it last forever.
- Put it in the past.
- You did it of your own free will.
- It’s out of your hands now.
- Let’s face it.
- You have to put up with it.
- You got off lucky this time.
- No use crying over spilled milk.
- You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
- Different strokes for different folks.
- The message is direct, clear, and in your face.
- You made your bed, now lie in it.
- Life has its twists and turns.
Accept it-1