Out-negative / Push away url
Don’t push me
- Don’t rush me.
- Don’t pressure me, I’m going to get around to it in my own sweet time.
- I will do whatever I want to do in my own back yard.
- Don’t put pressure on me.
- Who do you think I am anyway?
- It’s a free country.
- Don’t play games with me.
- Don’t stand in my way.
- Don’t give me the third degree.
Don’t push me
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 / Determination url
Husband and wife trying to work things out
- This a golden opportunity.
- Let’s take care of this right now.
- Time to switch gears.
- We’ve put it off long enough.
- Let’s see what we can do about it.
- Let’s start the ball rolling.
- Where there’s a will there’s a way.
- Onwards and upwards.
- We still have a long way to go.
- There’s one way to find out.
- I think the time has come for us to turn over a new leaf.
- Let’s give it our best shot.
- First things first.
- There's nothing that we can't do.
- We can work it out.
- There's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
- Give me space, I need a little bit more breathing room.
- Let's give it time.
- Where does that leave us?
- We need to make up for lost time.
- If we're really open and honest with each other, and both speak from the heart, without being afraid or defensive, perhaps we can really bring out into the open any issues that are bothering us, and get to the bottom of what's getting in the way of our getting closer.
Husband and wife trying to work things out
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 / Acceptance url
Someone else gets the main role in the play
- Live and let live.
- That really doesn’t surprise me.
- It’s over and done with.
- Let the better man win.
- That’s all the more reason to leave things the way they are and not make waves.
- It’s just as well.
Someone else gets the main role in the play
Out-positive / Agreement url
Do you think we’d be healthier if we used the staircase instead of the elevator?
- You couldn’t be more right.
- Of course!
- I bet you’re right.
- It’s worth a try.
- I’m all in.
- I’ll go along with that.
- Now that's a great idea!
- That stands to reason.
- That makes so much more sense.
- You have a good point.
Do you think we’d be healthier if we used the staircase instead of the elevator?
In-negative / Doubt url
Being told that a certain penny stock is a sure thing
- I have a nagging suspicion that this isn’t on the up and up.
- I don’t feel right about it.
- I just can’t buy that.
- You can’t fool me.
- I’ve heard that before.
- That’s wishful thinking.
- It’s a figment of your imagination.
- Whatever gave you that idea?
- I wouldn’t be too sure.
- It won’t hold water.
- I find that very hard to believe.
- What are you talking about?
- If I did that, it would be against my better judgement.
Being told that a certain penny stock is a sure thing
Out-positive / Encouragement url
To a student who just solved a difficult math problem
- That’s a brilliant deduction.
- You’re as smart as a whip.
- You’re really catching on.
- That’s a step in the right direction.
- You’ve got that down pat.
- Nobody can do it better.
- You should be proud of yourself.
- You’re a pretty smart cookie.
- I’ll be happy/glad to write a letter of recommendation for you.
To a student who just solved a difficult math problem
Out-positive / Agreement url
I’d like to borrow Dad’s car tonight
- OK, have it you’re way.
- That’s good enough for me.
- That’s fine with me.
- That’s no problem.
- Go right ahead.
- I’m all for it.
- Suit yourself.
I’d like to borrow Dad’s car tonight
In-positive / Confidence url
After someone else buys the house they wanted
- Something better will come along.
- I could see that coming from a mile away.
- There’s plenty of fish in the sea.
- I’m confident that it’ll work out for the best in the end.
- There’s more where that came from.
- Experiences like this make us stronger.
- We’ll keep our eyes peeled for the next opportunity that comes our way.
- It was bound to happen sooner or later.
After someone else buys the house they wanted
Out-positive / Encouragement url
To a friend who is working very hard at a new job
- You’ll get your reward in the long run.
- Of course it’s above and beyond the call of duty.
- It’s very sorely needed, and I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.
- It’s for a worthy cause.
- When you look back on it, you’ll see that it was all worth it.
- It’s not as if you have much of a say in the matter.
- That’s a good choice.
- That’s a wise decision.
- How’s it coming?
- You’re a good man.
- Do whatever you feel you have to do, whatever you feel is necessary in the situation.
To a friend who is working very hard at a new job
In-negative / Doubt url
Police questioning thief
- Your story doesn’t hold water.
- Can you please run that by me again?
- That’s hard to believe.
- You expect me to believe that?
- There’s something fishy about your story.
- You’re lying through his teeth.
- What you’re tell me just doesn’t wash.
- Do you expect me to believe that cock and bull story?
- That’s nothing new.
- It’s too late for that.
- I think you’ve been up to no good.
- You can talk till you’re blue in the face, I just don’t buy it.
Police questioning thief