In-positive / Determination url
Politician running for office
- Don’t give up the ship.
- Of all the things I’m doing, this is one of the most important.
- There’s more that one way to skin a cat.
- It’s a long shot.
- That would be something that I would likely do.
- Back up your ideas with courage that will not back down, and there will be no way too long, no road too rough.
- It’s a race against time.
- I shall return.
- I think we’re going to have to bite the bullet.
- That’s when the really hard part comes.
- I’m going to move heaven and earth trying.
Politician running for office
In-positive / Relief url
Getting a clean bill of health from the doctor after a major health concern
- When I saw the results, it was a sight for sore eyes.
- What a relief!
- I’m so grateful that it was only a false alarm We can breathe a sigh of relief.
- That’s what we’ve been waiting for.
- It took a bit of time, but it was certainly worth the wait.
- It was a blessedly short time before I heard the good news.
- I thank my lucky stars.
Getting a clean bill of health from the doctor after a major health concern
Out-negative / Anger url
I am angry at you
- I’ve had it up to here.
- What is this crap?
- I’m fed up to here.
- You’re making me see red.
- You make my blood boil.
- I’m fit to be tied.
- You’ve got some nerve.
- I feel like I’ve got steam coming out of my ears.
- What do you think, that I’m a complete idiot?
I am angry at you
In-positive / Determination url
Captain of a football team
- It’s not over until it’s over.
- We have to take the bull by the horns.
- I’m pumped and primed for action.
- We busted our butts, and we got it done.
- Make it snappy.
- I don’t give out trade secrets.
- On your mark, get set, go.
- No one can stop us now.
- So what are we waiting for?
- We’ve got to rise to the occasion.
- Let's make this year our crowing achievement.
Captain of a football team
In-negative / Doubt url
A friend tells you he’s taking drugs
- You’re throwing away your life.
- Don’t you have a mind of your own?
- Please tell me it’s not true.
- You just brought it all on yourself.
- Stop feeling sorry for yourself.
- Do you know what you’re doing?
- That’s what I call plain old stupidity.
- You must be crazy.
- Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
- I don’t seem to be able to get through to you.
- What are you trying to prove?
- You should have your head examined.
- You knew what you where getting yourself into.
- What are you trying to say?
- Was this your idea?
- It’s your own doing.
- Just look at you.
- Do as you wish, but don’t come crying to me for help when things go downhill.
- It’s the same thing over and over again.
- I don’t think anything I say will convince you one way or another.
- You don’t have anyone to blame but yourself.
- That’s the whole point, and I don’t think you’re hearing a word I’m saying.
- It seems as if what I’m saying is going in one ear and out the other.
- When I talk to you I don’t feel like there’s anybody home.
- What have you gotten yourself into?
A friend tells you he’s taking drugs
In-neutral / Acceptance url
After an operation
- It’s just going to take time.
- I’m feeling as well as can be expected given the circumstances.
- I think for a while I’ll just have to get used to living with it hanging over my head.
- I’ll take each day as it comes.
- I wouldn’t have it any other way.
- It is what it is.
- I can’t complain.
- Every cloud has a silver lining.
- It takes some getting used to.
- At first after the operation, I felt achy all over, but I recovered bit by bit, day by day, slowly but surely.
- It could have been a whole lot worse.
- Life has its challenges.
After an operation
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-neutral / Caution url
Thinking of entering an abandoned house
- I’m not running so fast to go there.
- It just doesn’t sit right with me.
- In my opinion I’ll be lucky if I survive by the skin of my teeth.
- I sense that this might be something I might live to regret.
- I’m going to take one step at a time.
- Something undesirable could happen at any time at the drop of the hat.
- I think I’ve gotten about as far as I’m going to get.
- I’m on the look-out.
- Hold your horses.
- I can’t chance it.
- Are you crazy, why on earth would I ever try to do something like that?
Thinking of entering an abandoned house
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Choosing where to put your investment money
- Only time will tell.
- You do what you have to.
- There’s something to be said for it.
- This is a good as time as any.
- We’ll worry about that when the time comes.
- Things will come to those who wait.
- It works both ways.
- That’s what it’s all about.
- It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.
- I have half a mind to do just that.
- I’m biding my time.
- Thing’s stand as they are.
- It doesn’t make sense to do it any other way.
Choosing where to put your investment money
In-negative / Explaining url
After shoving a neighbor in a fight
- It was just a misunderstanding.
- I can’t explain it.
- I admit it, I cracked under pressure.
- I would like to try to set things straight.
- It’s all my fault.
- I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
- There’s a first time for everything.
- I acted on impulse.
- What can I say?
- I was taken off guard.
- Don’t get the wrong impression.
- Things just got out of hand.
- My pride got in the way.
- I hope I didn’t come on too strong.
- My emotions got the better of me.
- I really didn’t intend for things to turn out the way they did.
After shoving a neighbor in a fight
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
This is my viewpoint
- I hope I’m making it crystal clear.
- That just what I said.
- I rest my case.
- I made my point.
- I’ll get right to the point.
- You know where I stand.
- I meant what I said.
- For whatever it’s worth, here are my 2 cents.
- I really mean it.
- It’s all here in black and white.
- That’s my point exactly.
- Let’s set the record straight.
- If you get my drift.
- I’m well aware of that.
- There’s something you ought to know.
- Of course that’s what I meant.
- You can talk till you’re blue in the face, you still won’t convince me.
- I hate to be blunt.
- There’s no, ifs ands or buts about it.
- I’ll be honest with you.
- Take it or leave it.
- What you see is what you get.
- If you want a deal, you’re going to have to up the ante.
- I’m going to cut to the chase.
- It doesn’t make sense to do it any other way.
- I wanted to run this idea by you.
This is my viewpoint
In-positive / Determination url
Student work on a term-paper
- This deserves my total focus and undivided attention.
- I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it and feel more familiar with the whole topic.
- I’ll get it done in no time at all.
- I’m going to hit the ground running.
- The task I faced was difficult, but I rose to the challenge.
- We’re wrapping it up.
- There’s no time like the present.
- Stay the course.
- I really have my work cut out for me.
Student work on a term-paper