In-negative / Explaining url
Coming late for an appointment
- I just plum forgot.
- It slipped my mind.
- Forgive me, I just didn’t remember.
- I didn’t do it on purpose.
- I hope you understand.
- Please don’t take it personally.
- I knew I forgot something.
- I’ve been burning the candle at both ends.
- I’ve been crazy busy lately.
- I have a lot on my plate.
- The time just slipped through my fingers.
- I just have no sense of time.
Coming late for an appointment
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 / Explaining url
Waking up after being drunk
- When I woke up I was so disoriented that at first I couldn’t remember where I was.
- I don’t know what to tell you.
- I’m wiped out.
- My head is pounding.
- I feel totally depleted.
- I went into a tailspin.
- I’m going to take a short walk outside just to clear my head.
- I was caught red-handed.
- I’ve been caught with my hand in the cookie jar.
- The bottom line is that I just couldn’t help it.
- Don’t remind me.
- I feel like I’ve been dragging myself around all day.
- I need more shut-eye.
- It knocked the wind knocked out of me.
Waking up after being drunk
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
In-negative / Confusion url
Taking a test without having studied
- It doesn’t ring a bell, it doesn’t sound familiar.
- What am I going to do now?
- I feel I don’t have much of choice.
- I’ve got to go through with it, and I’m hoping for the best.
- I hope I recognize some of the things I’m presented with.
- What should I do?
- What I am doing this for?
Taking a test without having studied
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Taking bad tasting medicine
- It all goes into the same stomach.
- Life’s not a bowl of cherries.
- Is that so terrible?
- It could be worse.
- It’s not all that bad.
- You have to take the good with the bad.
Taking bad tasting medicine
Out-negative / Anger url
I see that you are bad
- What do you take me for?
- Do you take me for a fool?
- Don’t play me for a fool.
- You’re as spoiled as a rotten egg.
- Have you got something up your sleeve?
- I don’t like what’s going down.
- The whole situation makes me sick to my stomach.
- You’re an accident looking for a place to happen.
- You rub me the wrong way.
- You’re a disgrace to humanity.
- You should be ashamed of yourself!
- You are down right pathetic.
- I had the feeling you’re up to something.
- You’re lying through your teeth.
- That’s a bald faced lie.
- I bet your plan is the stab me in the back when I’m not expecting it.
- How can anyone in his right mind do something like what you just did.
I see that you are bad
In-positive / Relief url
Surviving after being lost in the desert for 3 days.
- I was on my last legs, and I didn’t think I could hold out much longer, when I was miraculously saved in the nick of time.
- I got through by the skin of my teeth.
- I don’t know how I did it.
- I got in just under the wire.
- At the end if was touch and go, and I was wondering if I was going to make it.
- Home, sweet, home.
- Things are finally getting back to normal.
- I was on my last legs.
Surviving after being lost in the desert for 3 days.
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-neutral / Negotiating url
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-2
- I’ve given it some thought, and I’ll share with you my honest conclusions.
- I’m all ears.
- Tell it to me straight.
- I got it, loud and clear.
- I’ll see what I can do.
- I have to think it over.
- I see where you’re headed.
- I wasn’t looking at it that way.
- That remains to be seen.
- Let’s not skirt around the issue.
- It’s food for thought.
- I gathered that.
- I'm just trying to let you know my way of looking at it.
- What did you have in mind?
- I’m giving you my full attention.
- Will you swear to it?
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-2
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Planting a tree
- It’s just a question of time.
- We’ll see results in no time at all.
- All good things take time.
- It’ll come in time.
- It will do for a start.
- That’s all that’s necessary.
- I’ll do my part and let nature take its course.
- Before you know it.
Planting a tree
In-neutral / Caution url
Investing a lot of money in a startup
- I think there’s danger lurking ahead.
- Something about the whole situation smells.
- I’m going to proceed with caution with all deliberate speed.
- I’m going to get to the bottom of it.
- It’s too early to tell.
- The stakes are high.
- I’m going to try to be patient.
- Everything’s up in the air.
- Is the potential reward worth the risk?
- It might be too good to be true.
- It might be like reaching for the moon.
- It might take a while before the truth comes out.
- I can’t have it both ways.
- I shouldn’t count my chickens before they’re hatched.
- I might be making a big mistake.
- Don’t get too comfortable, because the situation is fluid and unpredictable, and could change at any moment.
- Let's give it time, and see how it plays out, because there could be a considerable upside potential.
Investing a lot of money in a startup