In-negative / Desperation url
Losing a job
- I can’t tell you how awful it is.
- I’m going to lose my mind.
- After what I’ve been through, I don’t know which way is up.
- It’s a lost cause.
- It’s a no win situation.
- It’s all downhill from here.
- It’s a sad state of affairs.
- It feels like things are spinning out of control.
- This is driving me up a wall.
- I’m at loose ends.
- It all seems like a bad dream.
- I feel like I’m on the ropes.
- I think I’m going to throw in the towel.
- After I try my best, and I find a lot of good that does.
- Where can I turn to?
- It hit me like a ton of bricks.
Losing a job
Out-positive / Agreement url
I think that Bill Jones, who is running for Mayor, will make a better Mayor.
- You could make a case for that.
- I think you might have a point.
- I couldn't agree with you more.
- That makes the two of us.
- That's my sentiments exactly.
- I have a sneaking suspicion that you may be right.
- That's as plain as day.
- I'm with you.
- What you're saying has the ring of truth.
- I’ll take your word for it.
I think that Bill Jones, who is running for Mayor, will make a better Mayor.
In-negative / Doubt url
A skeptical Investor questioning an entrepreneur about startup
- When you get right down to it, it seems that there’s more going on than meets the eye.
- How can you be so sure of that?
- That raises yet another question.
- That’s the 64,000 dollar question.
- If you re-examine the whole situation, you’ll find that’s not the case at all.
- There’s more to it than meets the eye.
- You don’t have a shred of evidence.
- You don’t know what you’re saying.
- You never know how it’s going to turn out.
- I have no idea what you’re talking about.
- It leaves a lot to be desired.
- What you are describing sounds like a pipe-dream.
- What are you trying to accomplish?
- After what you’ve told me, I’m more skeptical than ever.
- That’s just the other side of the same coin.
- The bottom line is that, as far as I'm concerned, when it comes to knowing if it's a good decision or not, the jury is still out.
- You can take it any way you like.
A skeptical Investor questioning an entrepreneur about startup
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
We don’t agree
- Let’s call the whole thing off.
- We don’t see things eye to eye.
- Let’s just drop the whole thing.
- This is not going anywhere.
- It takes two to tangle.
- We don’t seem to be getting anywhere.
- My patience has worn thin.
- Just you wait and see.
- We’re just wasting our time.
- This is an exercise in futility.
- I’m not going to waste any more time talking to you about this.
- We come from two completely different worlds.
- I’ll pass on the offer, and take a rain check.
- I’m not sure if we’re seeing eye to eye about this.
- We’re talking at cross purposes.
- This is highway robbery!
We don’t agree
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Not getting into the college that’s the first choice
- Now that shouldn’t come as a surprise.
- I think I’m just have to start getting used to it.
- That’s all there is to it.
- Let’s make the most of it.
- It’s just as well.
- You’ve got to take the good with the bad.
Not getting into the college that’s the first choice
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a friend who just got into a top business school
- You sure have come a long way.
- I’m not surprised that you succeeded, I always knew you had it in you.
- Shoot for the moon, and give it all you’ve got.
- You’re as smart as a whip.
- There’s no limit to what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.
- What more could you ask for?
- With this under your belt, a golden future can be yours.
- I have absolute faith in you.
- It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.
- I don’t know how you accomplished so much in such a short period of time.
For a friend who just got into a top business school
Out-positive / Friendship url
Saying hello-2
- What have you been doing with yourself lately?
- To what do we owe the honor of your visit?
- I was just this minute thinking of you.
- I have not stopped thinking about you.
- I was just thinking about you.
- How’s it going?
- Make yourself at home.
- Let’s make up for lost time.
- Top of the day to you.
- To what do we owe this honor?
- So, we finally meet.
- It's great seeing you again.
Saying hello-2
In-positive / Determination url
Person who is depressed
- I decided on the spot, once and for all, that I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.
- I woke up and said, there’s no time like the present.
- I’m not ready to throw in the towel yet.
- I’m determined to resist the temptation.
- This is the first day of the rest of my life.
- I overcame the difficulties confronting me.
- I’ve made my mind up.
- I made a clean break.
- Everything takes time.
- Now I’m more determined than ever!
- There’s always a first time.
- I'm 100% focused on making sure I get myself out of this crazy situation.
Person who is depressed
Out-positive / Friendship url
Stating commitment-2
- I’ll be your Rock of Gibraltar.
- Till death do us part.
- You’re the answer to my dreams.
- You mean the world to me.
- I’d be lost without you.
- What would I do without you?
- There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.
- You’re all that a man/woman could hope for.
- Where have you been all my life?
- I’m mad about you.
- You’re a dream come true.
- You take my breath away.
Stating commitment-2
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Starting the marathon race
- I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
- You know anything’s possible.
- Times they are a changing.
- I’ll just deal with it the best I can.
- A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Starting the marathon race
Out-neutral / Advice url
Slow down
- Just slow down and review your options before you make a rash move.
- Take it one step at a time.
- You have all the time in the world.
- Take your time.
- You have to think this through.
- That take’s time.
- Slow down and take a deep breath.
- You deserve a break.
- Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Slow down
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
You’re not negotiating well-2
- Did that ever occur to you?
- I was afraid you’d do that.
- You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.
- Don’t keep harping on it.
- Why did you bring it up in the first place?
- That’s a cop out.
- We’re finally talking about something important, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t change the subject.
- Who asked you?
- That’s the oldest trick in the book.
- You let the cat out of the bag.
- You cried wolf once too often.
- If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
- Come on, spill the beans.
- You act like someone with a chip on his shoulder.
- You can’t pull the wool over my eyes.
- You’re acting like you have a chip on your shoulder.
- You give me no choice but to do what I feel is my obligation to do.
You’re not negotiating well-2