Out-neutral / Advice url
Realistic-1
- Try to be realistic, don’t be fooled by wishful thinking.
- You’re kidding yourself.
- You can only go so far.
- Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
- Life’s not fun and games.
- In my opinion, you’re just fooling yourself.
- I’m just suggesting that you should look at your options again, because in the long run, I think you’re setting yourself up for endless let downs.
- Try to see the situation for what it is, because it’s better if you don’t have to learn that the hard way.
- It’s a question you have to ask yourself.
- You have to be realistic.
- You’re living in a fool’s paradise.
- The reason your ideas are not more successful is that they are all half-baked.
- You’re spending money like it was going out of style.
Realistic-1
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-1
- Somehow you’re making me feel guilty about what we both know took place out of the blue.
- Come on, out with it, spill the beans, and fess-up, because to tell you the truth I expected it all along.
- Please, hear me out!
- You couldn’t possibly object.
- Give me a fighting chance.
- You owe me that much.
- You just don’t want to admit it.
- Come on, be real!
- Please do your utmost to pay attention, and keep your mind on the subject.
- Let me be the judge of that.
- Be straight with me.
- Are you trying to pull the wool over my eyes?
Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-1
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-negative / Anger url
You deserve punishment
- It serves you right.
- No more Mister nice guy.
- You’re asking for it.
- You deserved exactly what you got.
- You won’t get away with this.
- You’ll pay for this.
- You’re not fit to wipe my feet on.
You deserve punishment
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-negative / Desperation url
Lost in the woods 1
- I’ve run out of steam.
- The situation is so grim.
- The situation was so dangerous that I thought it was curtains.
- It’s no use.
- I’m worried to death.
- I feel sick like a dog.
- I can’t cope with it.
- I’m scared to death.
- Time is running out.
- It’s all a nightmare.
- I’m never going to make it.
- I’m reaching the end of my rope.
- Don’t even bother.
Lost in the woods 1
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Losing a bet at the casino
- Them’s the breaks.
- I’ll make the best of it.
- Eventually I’m going to have to face the music.
- I’ve learned my lesson.
- That just goes to show you.
- I should have seen that coming a mile away.
Losing a bet at the casino
In-positive / Surprise url
You win the lottery
- The experience was so strange that I felt I was entering into never-never land.
- You could have knocked me over with a feather.
- Oh my gosh!
- It happened just outta the blue.
- It really blew my mind.
- Can you believe it?
- Boy, I’m telling you.
- One thing happened after another, and suddenly I found myself in a position that was totally unexpected.
You win the lottery
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a friend who was just promoted to be head of sales
- I always knew you had it in you.
- You’ll go right to the top.
- If you play your cards right, nothing will stand in your way, and you will be very successful.
- This is a big moment for you.
- That’s a lucky break for you.
- Here’s your big chance.
- They must think a lot of you.
- You’re going to do a bang-up job.
- More power to you.
- Hit the ground running.
- Give it your all.
For a friend who was just promoted to be head of sales
Out-positive / Friendship url
Offering help-2
- Perhaps I can be of assistance.
- I wish I could do something for you.
- I’ve gone to bat for you.
- Take what you want to your heart’s desire.
- I wish you all the luck in the world.
- I’m doing what’s best for you.
- I thought you’d never ask.
- Don’t ever say I never did anything for you.
- I'm so glad you came over.
- Be sure to let me know if I can help.
- For you, I would do anything.
- I wish you the best of luck.
- I’d be more than happy to help.
Offering help-2
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Choosing an item from the menu
- It’s six of one or half a dozen of the other.
- I guess I just can’t have it both ways.
- At one point I have to bite the bullet.
- At one point you just have to fish or cut bait.
Choosing an item from the menu
In-neutral / Caution url
Telling someone a secret
- The less said about it the better.
- Don’t breathe a word of it.
- I was sworn to secrecy.
- Mum’s the word.
- This could be something that I might come to regret.
- This might be against my better judgement.
- I have to ask myself, why am I doing this?
Telling someone a secret