In-negative / Explaining url
Waking up after being drunk
- When I woke up I was so disoriented that at first I couldn’t remember where I was.
- I don’t know what to tell you.
- I’m wiped out.
- My head is pounding.
- I feel totally depleted.
- I went into a tailspin.
- I’m going to take a short walk outside just to clear my head.
- I was caught red-handed.
- I’ve been caught with my hand in the cookie jar.
- The bottom line is that I just couldn’t help it.
- Don’t remind me.
- I feel like I’ve been dragging myself around all day.
- I need more shut-eye.
- It knocked the wind knocked out of me.
Waking up after being drunk
In-positive / Confidence url
After winning an election
- I must be doing something right.
- I know the ropes.
- That’s progress.
- They are behind us 100 percent.
- I deserve it.
- I like to keep tabs on things.
- And away we go.
- Everything’s coming up roses.
- Nothing succeeds like success.
- Fasten your seatbelts, because from this point on, I predict things are really going to start happening.
- I pulled victory out of the jaws of defeat.
- I’m looking forward to serving in my new position, and making a positive contribution.
- I knew I would win, hands down.
After winning an election
In-negative / Doubt url
A friend tells you he’s taking drugs
- You’re throwing away your life.
- Don’t you have a mind of your own?
- Please tell me it’s not true.
- You just brought it all on yourself.
- Stop feeling sorry for yourself.
- Do you know what you’re doing?
- That’s what I call plain old stupidity.
- You must be crazy.
- Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
- I don’t seem to be able to get through to you.
- What are you trying to prove?
- You should have your head examined.
- You knew what you where getting yourself into.
- What are you trying to say?
- Was this your idea?
- It’s your own doing.
- Just look at you.
- Do as you wish, but don’t come crying to me for help when things go downhill.
- It’s the same thing over and over again.
- I don’t think anything I say will convince you one way or another.
- You don’t have anyone to blame but yourself.
- That’s the whole point, and I don’t think you’re hearing a word I’m saying.
- It seems as if what I’m saying is going in one ear and out the other.
- When I talk to you I don’t feel like there’s anybody home.
- What have you gotten yourself into?
A friend tells you he’s taking drugs
In-neutral / Acceptance url
After an operation
- It’s just going to take time.
- I’m feeling as well as can be expected given the circumstances.
- I think for a while I’ll just have to get used to living with it hanging over my head.
- I’ll take each day as it comes.
- I wouldn’t have it any other way.
- It is what it is.
- I can’t complain.
- Every cloud has a silver lining.
- It takes some getting used to.
- At first after the operation, I felt achy all over, but I recovered bit by bit, day by day, slowly but surely.
- It could have been a whole lot worse.
- Life has its challenges.
After an operation
Out-positive / Friendship url
Opening a conversation
- A penny for your thoughts?
- What’s on your mind?
- It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?
- Do you like it here?
- How’s it going?
- Let’s have a little chat.
- Let me know when you are free.
- Let’s not talk shop.
Opening a conversation
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 / Confusion url
Lost in a forest
- I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.
- Do you think that we’re getting anywhere?
- What am I supposed to do?
- I can’t figure out what’s going on, and I feel like I’m shooting in the dark.
- How am I going to pull this off?
- I’m on a wild goose chase.
- What are we going to do now?
- So now what do I do?
- What’s going on?
- I don’t know what I’m going to do.
Lost in a forest
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a son who is having difficulty learning how to read
- You’re beginning to catch on.
- Slowly but surely.
- Stay focused, keep your eye on the ball, and don’t let your mind wander.
- All things take time and effort, that’s to be expected.
- With a bit of work and luck, it will all work out fine in the end.
- You’ll look back on this and smile that you ever doubted your own ability to succeed.
- I know what it’s like because I went though a similar situation when I was your age.
- It’s really coming along.
- You’re really getting the hang of it.
For a son who is having difficulty learning how to read
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
Can you see my viewpoint?
- Do you have any idea what I’m talking about?
- Do you read me?
- Am I getting through to you?
- Do I make myself clear?
- Are we on the same page?
- Do you get the picture?
- Do you know what I mean?
- Do you see what I mean?
- How does that grab you?
- Will you consider it?
- Do you understand?
- How can I make you understand?
- You can understand, can’t you?
- Catch my drift?
- Will that present a problem?
- Does that ring a bell?
- Will you think about what I said?
- First off, let’s make sure that we’re on the same page.
- I’m just letting you know that this is how I see the situation.
- I'm just trying to be helpful.
Can you see my viewpoint?
Out-neutral / Advice url
Conserve your resources
- A little bit goes a long way.
- Don’t wear yourself out.
- Get your act together.
- Keep your head above water.
- Make the best of what you have.
- Waste not want not.
- Take it easy.
- Don’t bite off more that you can chew.
- Do it yourself.
- Just go about your business.
- Conserve your strength.
- Ease your way into it.
Conserve your resources
Out-positive / Friendship url
Stating commitment-1
- We’ll stick together like glue.
- Let’s tie the knot.
- We’re like two peas in a pod.
- You’re my knight in shining armor.
- You can count on me.
- Blood is thicker than water.
- I can’t be without you.
- Our relationship is a match made in heaven.
- You taught me everything I know.
- We were made for each other.
- I would move Heaven and Earth for you.
- We’re made for each other.
- You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.
- I don’t know what I would do without you.
Stating commitment-1