In-negative / Confusion url
Being given a bag of rocks for a present
- I don’t know what to do with it.
- What am I going to do with all this stuff?
- What does this mean?
- What do you mean by this?
- I’m almost afraid to ask.
- Do you mind telling me what this is about?
- Does it make any sense?
- I’m speechless.
- I wonder what that means.
- It doesn’t make any sense at all.
- I don't get it.
Being given a bag of rocks for a present
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-3
- That’s the first sensible thing you’ve said all day.
- Tell me something I don’t already know.
- I know where you’re at.
- Don’t keep me in the dark.
- What do you mean by that?
- Why do you say that?
- Tell me in layman’s terms.
- How can you say that?
- What do you think about it?
- What makes you say that?
- There’s nothing good you can say about it?
- What does that have to do with it?
- Is that what you’re driving at?
- I don’t know if I’ve answered your question or not.
- I’m bending over backwards to see things your way.
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-3
Out-positive / Agreement url
I think the stock market is going to go up.
- If you say so.
- You’re usually right about things like this.
- You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know.
- I’m fully aware of that.
- I won’t be surprised if it happens exactly the way you say.
- I’ll buy that.
- I know what you’re driving at.
- It certainly seems that way.
- That’s very possible.
- I hear you loud and clear.
- That wouldn’t surprise me.
I think the stock market is going to go up.
Out-neutral / Observation url
About Others – Positive-1
- He knows the ropes.
- He knows everything there is to know about it.
- He’s young at heart.
- He has a friend in high places.
- They’re rolling in dough.
- He’s going to take on the whole world.
- It’s a whole lot for him to handle, and considering what he’s been through, I think he’s holding up pretty well under the circumstances.
- She can take care of herself.
- It’s just another example of hometown boy makes good.
- You’ve got to give them credit.
- He’s a chip off the old block.
- They’re like two peas in a pod.
- He’s got money to burn.
- He’s in a class all by himself.
- He’s a man of means.
- He’s an upstanding citizen.
About Others – Positive-1
In-negative / Explaining url
Refusing to lie on a tax return to save money
- What did you expect me to do?
- That’s not my style.
- Why should I take the risk?
- I do what I have to do.
- I’m doing it just to be on the safe side.
- It’s taking all my will power to resist.
- I was holding on by a thread.
- I think it's the best thing to do.
- My hands are tied.
- It’s out of my hands.
- I’m conflicted about it.
- I shudder when I think of the downside of doing this.
- I’d rather play it safe.
- It's the right thing to do.
- I just can’t take the chance.
- The risks far outweigh the benefits.
- The way I look at it, I really don’t have much of a choice.
- I can’t see myself doing that.
Refusing to lie on a tax return to save money
In-positive / Confidence url
Traveling by car to a new destination
- It’s a hop, skip, and a jump away from here.
- It’s not that far as the crow flies.
- So far, so good.
- It’s clear sailing from here on in.
- It’s going to be smooth sailing from here on in.
- What could possibly go wrong?
- Now I wouldn’t let anything bad happen, would I?
- I know what I’m doing.
- I'm going to wing it.
Traveling by car to a new destination
Out-positive / Friendship url
Generosity
- Take to your hearts content.
- Whatever is mine is yours.
- My heart is overflowing with a desire to give to you.
- I want you to feel totally comfortable here.
- I want you to regard my house as your home away from home.
- If everything is not totally to your liking, just let me know.
- Allow me to do something for you for a change.
- Share and share alike.
- I’m at your beck and call.
Generosity
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
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-positive / Hope url
The score is tied towards the end of a baseball game
- I can hardly wait.
- We’ll see.
- That’s not such a long time to wait.
- It will be cause for a celebration.
- I wouldn’t miss this for the world.
- Victory and success feel so tantalizingly close, that I can almost taste it.
- Cross your fingers.
- I’m counting on it.
- Even if the news isn’t what we’re hoping for, better luck next time.
- I can’t stand the suspense, and the sooner we find out the better.
- It looks like we might have a winner very soon.
The score is tied towards the end of a baseball game
Out-neutral / Advice url
Patience-1
- You’ve got to just let it pass.
- Give it time.
- I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you.
- Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
- It’s never too late.
- Don’t jump the gun.
- Things come to those who wait.
- Don’t jump to any conclusions.
- My advice is to stay under the radar.
Patience-1
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Salesman losing a sale
- It’s back to square one.
- Let the chips fall where they may.
- So much for that.
- It will all come out in the wash.
- What can I tell you?
- It happens to the best of us.
- It’s all in a day’s work.
- Well, that’s the way it goes.
Salesman losing a sale