In-negative / Doubt url
Someone saying he’s going on a new starvation diet
- It’s too high a price to pay.
- What gave you that idea?
- I just can’t picture it.
- You can’t believe everything you read.
- Boy, do you bounce from one extreme to another.
- I have a sneaking suspicion that you’re wasting your time.
- I’m sure you will, but I don’t give it much of a chance of success.
- The odds are against it.
- Where have I heard all of this before?
- I hope you know what you’re doing.
- You’ve got to take it with a grain of salt.
Someone saying he’s going on a new starvation diet
Out-neutral / Observation url
About Others – Negative-2
- She’s as skinny as a rail.
- She’s as cold as a fish.
- He’s loosing his nerve.
- She’s gone overboard, and I don’t see that there’s any restraint in what she’s doing.
- He’s torn apart inside.
- She’s crying her eyes out.
- She wouldn’t lift a finger.
- I don’t think he’ll be very pleased.
- I feel bad for him.
- He’s really off the wall.
- He’s having trouble making ends meet.
- His stomach’s a bottomless pit.
- He thinks that everything is coming to him.
About Others – Negative-2
Out-positive / Thanks url
After the secretary says she managed to squeeze in an appointment with the doctor
- I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
- I appreciate it beyond words.
- Thanks a million.
- I really appreciate it.
- I owe you one.
- That was above and beyond the call of duty.
- I appreciate all that you’ve done, and all the effort that you put into it.
- You did me a big favor.
- Awesome.
- I’m very appreciative, I don’t take it for granted at all.
After the secretary says she managed to squeeze in an appointment with the doctor
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I will win
- I got you right where I want you.
- It’s my way or the highway.
- Finders keeper losers weepers.
- Eat your heart out.
- The last laugh will be on you.
- I read you like a book.
- I’ve got the upper hand.
- My, my, my, said the spider to the fly.
I will win
In-neutral / Caution url
A publisher given a story that might be libelous
- I just can’t chance it.
- I’m going to treat it with kid gloves.
- It could blow sky high.
- Let’s not rush into things.
- I may be sitting on a time bomb.
- One option is for is for me to just wait it out.
- I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.
- It’s best if I wait until the whole thing blows over.
- I just don’t feel like bucking the system.
- I’m inclined to just tiptoe around the whole situation.
- I think if I got involved in any way I would be playing with fire.
- My gut feeling is that I should just leave it well enough alone.
- The fact that no one else wants to do it is not a good sign.
- I don't know the person involved from a hole in the wall, and I think I should regard that as a warning signal.
A publisher given a story that might be libelous
Out-positive / Friendship url
Offering help-1
- If there’s anything you want or need, at anytime, don’t hesitate to ask.
- Your wish is my command.
- I haven’t failed you yet.
- I’ll help you every step of the way.
- I’ll be right with you.
- I could teach you a thing or two.
- I’ll be your rock of Gibraltar.
- You have my word on it.
- I’m pleased to be of help.
- If you need me, you know where to find me.
- I’m never too busy for you.
- I’ll back you a 100 percent.
- You can count on me.
Offering help-1
In-negative / Desperation url
Losing a chunk of data from a laptop hard drive
- That will be the straw that breaks the camels back.
- I’ve taken about all that I can take.
- This is driving me so batty that I could scream.
- What rotten luck.
- I give up.
- I can’t bear to face it.
- Why me?
- Don’t even talk to me about it.
- It's not my day.
Losing a chunk of data from a laptop hard drive
In-negative / Confusion url
Lost in an unfamiliar city
- This is driving me batty.
- What can I do?
- I don’t know what else to do.
- Where do we go from here?
- I don’t know, what do you want to do?
- I can’t figure it out.
- I’m going to need a while to get my bearings.
- I feel like a fish out of water.
- It’s driving me nuts.
Lost in an unfamiliar city
Out-neutral / Advice url
Restraint-2
- Don’t let the cat out of the bag.
- Don’t make matters worse.
- Keep it under your hat.
- Get a hold of yourself.
- Just try not to go overboard doing it, both in terms of time and money.
- Get control of yourself.
- Button your lip.
- Try and get a hold of yourself.
- I know that may feel good to speak your mind and get things off your chest, but sometimes it’s better just to bite your tongue.
Restraint-2
Out-positive / Thanks url
General thanks
- That was real sweet of you.
- You’re a life saver.
- I’m touched by your concern.
- Thank you for the kind words.
- I owe you one.
- Let me make it up to you.
- Thank you for your patience.
- I appreciate the suggestion.
- One good turn deserves another.
- Thanks for letting me know.
- I owe you a great deal.
- You’re always there when I need a friend.
- I couldn’t have done it without you.
- That’s nice of you to say that.
- I just may take you up on that.
- Don’t think for one minute that I wouldn’t do the same for you.
- It’s the thought that counts.
- I would be delighted to accept your generous offer.
- Thanks for giving me the red carpet treatment.
- I feel like this is my home away from home.
- I was as hungry as a bear, and I really appreciate the delicious meal.
- Thanks for the warning.
- What you did was incredibly helpful.
- Thank you for the useful tip.
General thanks
Out-negative / Annoyed url
You are wrong-1
- You are sadly mistaken.
- You’re such a drag.
- You are completely out of line.
- That wasn’t called for.
- That’s the pot calling the kettle black.
- That’s going too far.
- Wherever you go trouble follows.
- You’re adding insult to injury.
- You’re dead wrong.
- You’ve got some explaining to do.
- If you think that, you’ve got another guess coming.
- That’s the stupidest thing I ever heard of.
- Don’t make me laugh.
You are wrong-1
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Finding a parking place 5 blocks from the restaurant
- This is a good place as any.
- It’s certainly not what we hoped for, but it’s better than nothing.
- I think we don’t have much of a choice.
- That’s good enough for me.
- That’s to be expected.
- That’s just the way it’s going to have to be then.
Finding a parking place 5 blocks from the restaurant