In-positive / Surprise url
Learning that a friend is a thief
- I’m shocked to say the least.
- I suspected it was true, but I didn’t put 2 and 2 together.
- I was so shocked because it happened right out of nowhere.
- The truth comes out at last.
- I didn’t expect it at all.
- I never would have suspected it.
- Speaking of the devil.
- Good grief.
- Ahah, just as I suspected.
- What was that all about?
- In all my years I never thought I’d live to see the day when you would say something like that.
- The cat is out of the bag.
- That came from out of left field.
- I am shocked beyond belief.
Learning that a friend is a thief
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Someone dropping the vase
- I don’t blame you for it.
- Boys will be boys.
- It’s over and done with.
- There’s one in every crowd.
- The damage is done.
- Things are rough all over.
- It’s not my place to judge.
- It’s been known to happen.
- I guess we’re just going to have to live without it.
Someone dropping the vase
Out-positive / Agreement url
If parents hugged their kids more, the kids would feel more loved.
- You hit the nail on the head.
- That goes without saying.
- Now that’s a very good idea.
- That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to say.
- Now you’re talking!
- That could very well be.
- You might say that.
- I’m inclined to agree with your way of looking at things.
- I bet you’re right.
- That’s the truest thing you ever said.
- That’s hard to beat.
If parents hugged their kids more, the kids would feel more loved.
In-positive / Confidence url
After winning an election
- I must be doing something right.
- I know the ropes.
- That’s progress.
- They are behind us 100 percent.
- I deserve it.
- I like to keep tabs on things.
- And away we go.
- Everything’s coming up roses.
- Nothing succeeds like success.
- Fasten your seatbelts, because from this point on, I predict things are really going to start happening.
- I pulled victory out of the jaws of defeat.
- I’m looking forward to serving in my new position, and making a positive contribution.
- I knew I would win, hands down.
After winning an election
In-positive / Surprise url
Learning that a friend is ill
- His illness came out of the blue.
- He’s never been sick a day in his life.
- I don’t know what to say.
- I didn’t expect that.
- It’s beyond comprehension.
- What brought this on?
- I still can’t believe it’s true.
- I’m in a state of denial.
- It came as a great shock.
- I found the news earth shattering.
Learning that a friend is ill
In-positive / Realizing url
The day after a stock market crash
- I may not understand all the details, but I get the general idea and see the big picture.
- I could see it coming a mile away.
- It stands to reason.
- By process of elimination it’s the only answer that makes sense.
- So there you have it.
- I had a hunch we were getting very close to the end.
- We’ve been all through this before, and it’s deja-vu all over again.
- By the time it dawned on us, it was too late.
- It looks like we’re going to have to start from scratch.
- These things just sneak up on you.
- I see this as a wakeup call.
- This really taught me a lesson that I won’t quickly forget.
- I'm going to have to re-examine and think through all of my assumptions.
- It's very sobering.
- It happened when I least suspected it.
- I wonder why I didn't see that coming.
- I turned a blind eye to all the warning signals.
The day after a stock market crash
In-negative / Doubt url
Neighbors of the Wright Brothers
- I’ll believe it when I see it.
- Are you really sure?
- Personally, I don’t think you stand a chance.
- The odds are stacked against you.
- I don’t think anything will ever come of it.
- Are your out of your mind?
- Are you serious?
- Are you crazy?
- You must be drunk.
- Are you kidding?
Neighbors of the Wright Brothers
Out-negative / Push away url
Don’t push me
- Don’t rush me.
- Don’t pressure me, I’m going to get around to it in my own sweet time.
- I will do whatever I want to do in my own back yard.
- Don’t put pressure on me.
- Who do you think I am anyway?
- It’s a free country.
- Don’t play games with me.
- Don’t stand in my way.
- Don’t give me the third degree.
Don’t push me
In-positive / Confidence url
After an appendix operation
- I feel like a new man.
- I know I’m on the road to recovery.
- I feel better than ever.
- Don’t worry about me.
- I’ll be fine.
- I get by with a little help from my friends.
- I’m not out of the woods yet, but I’m fully confident that I will be in no time at all.
- I’m patient and hopeful that it will all be for the best.
- I should be alright.
- It didn't make any sense not to do it.
After an appendix operation
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
My offer is good
- Don’t pass up an offer like this.
- You’ll never see an offer like this again.
- The offer still stands.
- It seems fair to me.
- That ought to add up nicely.
- I’m trying to accommodate you.
- There’s something in it for everyone.
- I’ll even go you one better.
- I’ll make it worth your while.
- That’s my final offer, take it or leave it.
My offer is good
In-negative / Explaining url
Trying to fix work-mate’s computer
- I found the problem, but I just need time to fix it.
- I’m a little rusty.
- I’m working on it.
- I've hit a brick wall.
- I tried my best, but I guess that just wasn’t good enough.
- It doesn’t look like I’m making much headway.
- Oh well, it was worth a try.
- It may look simple, but it's really complicated.
- You can’t blame a fellow for trying.
- I’m sorry that it just didn’t work out.
- Back to the drawing board.
- I got more than I bargained for.
- That’s easier said than done.
- It was a shot in the dark.
- That’s what I could do.
- I’m sure you were expecting more from me.
- I’m trying my best.
- That’s the only thing I can think of.
Trying to fix work-mate’s computer
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a friend who is depressed
- I never promised you a rose garden.
- You’re putting up a brave front.
- It can’t be as bad as all that.
- You have to look at the bright side.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself.
- Alright, get it out of your system.
- I know how you feel.
- It’s a step in the right direction.
- I think you can figure this out for yourself.
- With a bit of luck and hard work it will all work out fine in the end.
- You have to look yourself in the eye and ask yourself plain and simple, with all your abilities, what’s holding you back from fulfilling more of your potential?
- It looks worse than it really is.
- Don’t you worry, you will be fine.
- Do the best you can.
- What’s eating you?
- You have your whole life ahead of you.
For a friend who is depressed