In-positive / Realizing url
Seeing who won the election
- It’s all coming together.
- It’s long overdue.
- The results are in, and no one is more surprised that I am.
- That explains everything.
- I could feel it in my bones.
- Stop the presses, we finally see the naked truth.
- I shouldn’t be surprised.
- That’s just what I thought.
- Now the truth comes out.
Seeing who won the election
In-positive / Confidence url
Preparing for a test
- I can do it with my eyes shut.
- I know it like the back of my hand.
- I’ve got it under control.
- I think I’ll be able to muddle through for a while.
- I made a lot of progress.
- I can cope with it.
- It will be a breeze.
- I'm holding my own.
- My head is still above water.
- So far so good.
- Every few hours I just run out of steam and need to rest awhile until I get my energy back.
- I’m holding my own.
Preparing for a test
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
In-negative / Disappointment url
Losing money in a scam
- I had a sneaking suspicion that it was too good to be true.
- What is the world coming to?
- I wasn’t thinking straight.
- I’ll be the first to admit, what I did wasn’t too bright.
- Is nothing sacred?
- There’s something rotten in the state of Denmark.
- It stinks to high heaven.
- I should be ashamed of myself.
- I’m old enough to know better.
- It killed my appetite.
- How did I get into this mess?
- That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
- I feel used, betrayed, and double-crossed.
- Boy, now I’m really in a pickle.
- They really took me to the cleaners.
- I’m down in the dumps.
- It's taken the wind out of my sails.
Losing money in a scam
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
Out-positive / Agreement url
Don’t you think there’s too much hate in the country between people?
- I feel exactly the same way.
- That goes without saying.
- Everybody knows that!
- I think you hit the nail right on the head.
- You very well may be right.
- You can say that again!
- That's as plain as the nose on your face.
- That's for sure.
- I couldn't have said it better myself.
- I know exactly how you feel.
Don’t you think there’s too much hate in the country between people?
In-negative / Desperation url
Losing a bundle in an investment scam
- I always seem to fall into the same trap.
- I’m in deep trouble.
- When am I going to stop making the same mistake over and over again?
- It scared the living daylights out of me.
- I could have kicked myself.
- I could just kill myself.
- I'm shaken to the core.
- The thing that pains me so much is that the disaster was so unnecessary and so avoidable.
- Sometimes the things that I feared the most, turn out to be the least of my worries.
- I'm pulling my hair out.
Losing a bundle in an investment scam
Out-positive / Agreement url
Do you mind if I take the car to shop for food?
- That’s fine with me.
- By all means.
- Be my guest.
- That’s cool with me.
- I don’t mind at all.
Do you mind if I take the car to shop for food?
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I find your viewpoint hard to understand-2
- The two things are as different as night and day.
- What are you getting at?
- You’re making a mountain out of a mole hill.
- I’ve heard that line before.
- Give me a straight answer.
- I think you’re being too narrow minded.
- Do you realize what you’re saying?
- I can’t figure you out.
- How do you explain that?
- Oh yes, didn’t you know that?
- Ah, come on now, you must be kidding.
- Now what do you mean by that?
- Why would I want to do something like that?
- I have bigger fish to fry.
I find your viewpoint hard to understand-2
In-positive / Confidence url
Lawyer with new client
- I do everything by the book.
- The odds are in our favor.
- You let me be the judge of that.
- It’s coming along nicely.
- I have everything and under control, and you don’t have to worry about a thing.
- Your secret is safe with me.
- You can rest assured that I’ve got a handle on the situation, and that everything is under control, and that there’s nothing to worry about.
- It’s an open and shut case.
- I will do what needs to be done.
- Leave everything to me.
Lawyer with new client
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a fellow worker who is hesitant to present a new idea to the boss
- There’s nothing to be afraid of.
- You have nothing to worry about.
- Don’t sell yourself short.
- What’s holding you back?
- What could go wrong?
- Your fears are your worst enemy.
- I'm sure they're going to appreciate your trying.
- You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
- At the very worst, they won't use your idea, but it’s certainly not going to hurt anything.
- What's the downside?
- Grab the brass ring.
- Maybe they’ll take you up on it.
- What’s the worst case scenario?
- Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
- No pain, no gain.
- Speak up and make yourself heard.
- You don’t have to sell yourself to me, screw up your courage and say what you have to say to the powers that be.
- Just remind yourself that speaking up is not a bad choice, mind you.
- Don’t worry, they’ll understand.
- They’re on the up and up, and they’re not going to pull any punches.
- You need to stand up for yourself.
- I think you should jump at the opportunity.
- It never hurts to ask.
For a fellow worker who is hesitant to present a new idea to the boss
In-positive / Surprise url
Learning that a friend is a thief
- I’m shocked to say the least.
- I suspected it was true, but I didn’t put 2 and 2 together.
- I was so shocked because it happened right out of nowhere.
- The truth comes out at last.
- I didn’t expect it at all.
- I never would have suspected it.
- Speaking of the devil.
- Good grief.
- Ahah, just as I suspected.
- What was that all about?
- In all my years I never thought I’d live to see the day when you would say something like that.
- The cat is out of the bag.
- That came from out of left field.
- I am shocked beyond belief.
Learning that a friend is a thief