In-negative / Desperation url
Lost in the forest
- I’ve run out of steam.
- The situation is so grim.
- The situation was so dangerous that I thought it was curtains.
- I’m worried to death.
- I can’t cope with it.
- I’m scared to death.
- Time is running out.
- It’s all a nightmare.
- I’m never going to make it.
- I’m reaching the end of my rope.
- I was up the creek without a paddle.
Lost in the forest
In-positive / Confidence url
Looking for something
- Something will turn up.
- We’re on the right track.
- It was exactly where I thought it would be.
- Something’s going to turn up.
- If we’re patient and methodical, I’m sure this will have a happy ending.
Looking for something
Out-positive / Agreement url
What do you say about my leaving the steak in the oven another 5 minutes?
- That’s just the way I like it.
- That sounds reasonable.
- That sounds like a good idea to me.
- Whatever you say is fine with me.
- That would really hit the spot.
- That would do me just fine.
- That’s exactly what I had in mind.
- Don’t even give it a second thought.
- Have it your way.
What do you say about my leaving the steak in the oven another 5 minutes?
In-negative / Doubt url
Being told you should convince the company president to change policy
- That’s like the tail wagging the dog.
- That’s not the way to go about doing it.
- I don’t think that will work out so well.
- He won’t go for that.
- It might have just the opposite from the intended effect.
- The effort could boomerang on our heads.
- He might not take it the right way.
- You’ve got to be kidding!
- It’s not worth it.
Being told you should convince the company president to change policy
In-positive / Remembering url
Remembering an event from the past
- It’ll never be the same as it was back then.
- That’s history now.
- That was a night to remember.
- I guess you had to have been there.
- I’ve burnt a lot of bridges behind me.
- I miss those times long gone.
- The joy that I felt when I got married was off the charts.
- Then it happened, and the rest is history.
Remembering an event from the past
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
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Let’s make a deal
- Let’s get down to business.
- Let’s mend our fences.
- Let get down to brass tacks.
- We can see eye to eye.
- Make me an offer I can’t refuse.
- Let’s split the difference.
- I’ll take you up on it.
- Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.
- Let’s put our heads together and do our best to get to come up with something.
- I’ll make it worth your while!
- On second thought, maybe I will reconsider your generous offer.
- Let’s go through with the deal.
Let’s make a deal
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-negative / Desperation url
Can’t pay the mortgage
- Things have gotten totally out of hand.
- I’m having trouble making ends meet.
- What am I going to do?
- Sometimes I feel that it's all going to be downhill from here.
- I hope I haven’t blown it.
- Nowadays, it’s hard to make ends meet.
- I’m hanging by a thread.
- If this goes on I’m going to lose my mind.
- I was up all night worrying about it.
- I feel down and out.
- Sometimes I tell myself, ‘Don’t even bother’.
- When I hope that things will get better, I realize: don’t hold your breath.
- I feel like I’m beating a dead horse.
Can’t pay the mortgage
In-positive / Determination url
Writer writing a novel
- This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
- I’m going to do it slowly, getting my feet wet gradually step by step.
- I’ve been meaning to do this for a long time.
- I’ll hit the ground running.
- Now I really have to buckle down and get to work.
- Ready or not here I come.
- Another day and I’m up at the crack of dawn.
- I’ve paid my dues.
- Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
- I feel like I have boundless energy.
- I’m making progress, slowly but surely.
- I want to put some finishing touches on it before I wrap it up.
Writer writing a novel
In-positive / Hope url
Looking for a lost dog
- I’m sure that something will come up.
- Let’s hope for the best.
- I certainly hope so.
- With a bit of luck perhaps it will all work out fine in the end.
- There’s light at the end of the tunnel.
- Anything’s possible.
- Even if it doesn’t turn out for the best, we’ll eventually recover.
- Even in the worst scenario, we’ll be back on our feet in no time at all.
- You never know.
- There’s always hope.
- The darkest time is just before the dawn.
- Hopefully we will soon see light at the end of the tunnel.
Looking for a lost dog
Out-neutral / Advice url
Action-1
- Do something about it.
- Get on the ball.
- Give it a whirl.
- There’s no time like the present!
- Don’t put it off.
- Give it the old college try.
- You can’t walk with both feet on the ground.
- Don’t be passive.
- This is the moment of truth.
- Rise to the occasion.
- Take the bull by the horns.
- Strike while the iron is hot.
- This is a chance of lifetime.
Action-1