Out-negative / Push away url
Leave me alone
- I can’t be bothered.
- I couldn’t care less.
- It’s none of your concern.
- This is not my problem.
- Don’t try to pin this one on me.
- Give me some space.
- I don’t want to hear it anymore.
- I could care less.
- Nobody asked you.
- Don’t give me an ultimatum.
- Who cares anyway?
- Don’t twist my arm.
- Don’t start in on me.
- I think you’d better leave now.
- It’s none of your business.
- I think I've had enough.
Leave me alone
In-negative / Confusion url
Taking a test without having studied
- It doesn’t ring a bell, it doesn’t sound familiar.
- What am I going to do now?
- I feel I don’t have much of choice.
- I’ve got to go through with it, and I’m hoping for the best.
- I hope I recognize some of the things I’m presented with.
- What should I do?
- What I am doing this for?
Taking a test without having studied
In-negative / Doubt url
When a friend says he’s going to climb Mt. Everest
- Fat chance!
- You’re putting me on.
- You can’t be serious.
- Are you kidding me?
- Now I’ve heard everything.
- Are you sure you know what you’re doing?
- It’s a nice idea, but are you sure you’re up to it.
- Are you sure you’ve got what it takes?
When a friend says he’s going to climb Mt. Everest
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Let’s work things out-3
- It’s easy to have 20-20 vision about things that happened in the past.
- We both have to admit that neither one of us saw it coming.
- There are no guarantees.
- Let’s get it out in the open.
- So what’s the bottom line?
- Now let’s get things out in the open.
- We both want the same thing.
- Let’s have the whole story out in the open.
- I’ll be glad to answer any questions you might have.
- Take all the time in the world.
- It doesn’t have to be that way.
- If that’s all right with you.
- Does it really matter?
- I’ll give it a try.
Let’s work things out-3
Out-neutral / Advice url
Perseverance
- Don’t give up.
- You can’t give up that easily.
- You can’t back out now.
- Don’t give up yet.
- Don’t give up the ship.
- See it through to the end.
- Hold on tight.
- We’ll stick through thick and thin.
Perseverance
In-neutral / Caution url
Invited to a party the night before an exam
- I’m dead set against it.
- Am I making a big mistake?
- I have a funny feeling that I’ve been through this before.
- All that glitters is not gold.
- I don’t know if I’ll should do this on such short notice.
- I can easily see where this is heading.
- It’s a waste of time.
- I should know better than that.
- Have I taken leave of my senses?
- Is it worth it?
- I’ve learned my lesson before, and I promised myself that I wouldn’t repeat that mistake again.
- That's not for now.
Invited to a party the night before an exam
Out-positive / Concern url
Visiting a friend who is recovering from an operation
- I hope you’re feeling better.
- Can I get you something?
- You look a little better than before.
- Now, that wasn’t so painful, was it?
- I’m glad to see that you’re up and about.
- How are you doing?
- I was sick with worry.
- Would you like something?
- Put your mind at ease.
- I was worried sick about it.
- Coming to visit was the least I could do.
- Thank goodness the body has a way of healing itself.
- If there’s anything I can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask.
- You have my blessings.
- Is everything OK?
Visiting a friend who is recovering from an operation
Out-neutral / Advice url
Stronger-1
- Stand on you own two feet.
- You’ve got to believe in yourself.
- Having a positive attitude is half the battle.
- Put your foot down.
- Fend for yourself.
- Put a smile on your face.
- Take it like a man.
- Hang in there.
- Show your true colors.
- Give it your best shot.
- You’re going to need to crack down.
Stronger-1
In-positive / Surprise url
You win the lottery
- The experience was so strange that I felt I was entering into never-never land.
- You could have knocked me over with a feather.
- Oh my gosh!
- It happened just outta the blue.
- It really blew my mind.
- Can you believe it?
- Boy, I’m telling you.
- One thing happened after another, and suddenly I found myself in a position that was totally unexpected.
You win the lottery
Out-negative / Annoyed url
You are lying-1
- You’re lying through your teeth.
- You’re as phony as a two dollar bill.
- Don’t start with that whole song and dance.
- You’re full of hot air.
- Just cut the bull.
- Don’t hand me that baloney.
- It’s a pack of lies.
- You speak with fork tongue.
- I have a sneaking suspicion that you’re withholding from me a very important piece of information.
- That’s utter nonsense.
- Don’t give me that crap.
- Cut the baloney.
- Oh give me a break, will you?
- I smell a rat.
- Do you expect me to believe that?
- Oh, give me a break!
You are lying-1
Out-positive / Apology url
After a boss tells a worker that management won’t let him give the worker an expected raise
- I only wish I could have done more.
- I did the best I could.
- I’m sorry, my hands are tied.
- It might not make any sense to you, but that’s what they decided, and I hope you understand.
- I’m sorry that it’s not the answer you hoped for.
- My apologies that it took me longer to get the answer than I thought it would.
- I hope that we’ll be able to give you a better answer next time.
- I’m hoping this is something you can live with for the time being.
- I was told to explain to you that it’s due to circumstances beyond their control.
- Please give us a chance to make it up to you next time.
After a boss tells a worker that management won’t let him give the worker an expected raise
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Planting a tree
- It’s just a question of time.
- We’ll see results in no time at all.
- All good things take time.
- It’ll come in time.
- It will do for a start.
- That’s all that’s necessary.
- I’ll do my part and let nature take its course.
- Before you know it.
Planting a tree