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
In-negative / Explaining url
Throwing out a bag of laundry by mistake
- How was I supposed to know?
- What did I do this time?
- That never would have occurred to me.
- I wish I had known.
- I had no way of knowing.
- OK, I’m not perfect.
- I apologize profusely.
- It was totally unintentional.
- There’s nothing I can do about it now.
- My humble apologies.
- Sorry about that.
- If I knew what I was doing, I certainly wouldn’t have done it.
- I certainly didn’t do it on purpose.
- They looked so similar that I had no way of knowing.
- It came as a surprise to me.
- I’m awfully sorry.
- How was I supposed to know that?
Throwing out a bag of laundry by mistake
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-1
- What are you trying to say?
- I’ll think about it.
- I’m open to your suggestions.
- I’m trying to see it through your eyes.
- I’m willing to learn.
- I’ll think about it and let you know.
- You’re entitled to your opinion.
- Just what do you mean by that?
- I’ll try to keep it in mind.
- You want to run that by me again?
- Can you tell me the difference?
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-1
Out-negative / Anger url
Go away
- Take a hike.
- Bug-off.
- Go fly a kite!
- I don’t ever want to see you again.
- What I’d like is some privacy.
- Get out of here, and I don’t ever want to set my eyes on you again.
- Don’t ever show your face here again.
- Get off my back.
- I’m warning you.
Go away
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
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I find your viewpoint hard to understand-1
- That’s wishful thinking.
- That’s neither here nor there.
- That leads us right back to where we started.
- Is that too much to ask?
- That’s beside the point.
- Now that’s a horse of a different color.
- You’re missing the point.
- You’ve missed the whole point.
- That’s not the same thing at all.
- It happens to be true whether you choose to believe or not.
- Put it whatever way you want.
- I wasn’t born yesterday.
I find your viewpoint hard to understand-1
Out-negative / Push away url
I don’t want to do it
- That’s the last thing I want.
- I’m not crazy about it.
- I’m not in the mood.
- No thank you.
- Thanks but no thanks.
- That gives me the creeps.
- I wouldn’t do that for all the money in the world.
- For me it’s just a big turnoff.
- Do your own dirty work.
- That’s not my problem.
- That’s not my cup of tea.
- I’m not going to stoop so low as to do something like that.
- That’s of no concern to me.
- It doesn’t float my boat.
- I don’t feel like it.
I don’t want to do it
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
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a friend who’s tied in a final set of a tennis match
- That’s the spirit.
- You’ve got it in the palm of your hand.
- You’ve got what it takes.
- You’ve got to come through, we’re all depending on you.
- We’re all rooting for you.
- Take the bull by the horns.
- You can do it.
- The ball is in your court.
- Give it your best shot.
- Give it the old college try.
- We’re all counting on you.
- It’s all up to you.
- Get a move on it, and strike the iron while it’s hot.
- It’s shaping up to be a moment of truth.
- This is your big chance, don’t blow it.
For a friend who’s tied in a final set of a tennis match
In-negative / Doubt url
Neighbors of the Wright Brothers
- I’ll believe it when I see it.
- Are you really sure?
- Personally, I don’t think you stand a chance.
- The odds are stacked against you.
- I don’t think anything will ever come of it.
- Are your out of your mind?
- Are you serious?
- Are you crazy?
- You must be drunk.
- Are you kidding?
Neighbors of the Wright Brothers
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I will win
- I got you right where I want you.
- It’s my way or the highway.
- Finders keeper losers weepers.
- Eat your heart out.
- The last laugh will be on you.
- I read you like a book.
- I’ve got the upper hand.
- My, my, my, said the spider to the fly.
I will win
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-3
- That’s the first sensible thing you’ve said all day.
- Tell me something I don’t already know.
- I know where you’re at.
- Don’t keep me in the dark.
- What do you mean by that?
- Why do you say that?
- Tell me in layman’s terms.
- How can you say that?
- What do you think about it?
- What makes you say that?
- There’s nothing good you can say about it?
- What does that have to do with it?
- Is that what you’re driving at?
- I don’t know if I’ve answered your question or not.
- I’m bending over backwards to see things your way.
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-3