Phrases and Expressions Used in The English Language: Nato/Pfp/Md Unclassified

NATO/PfP/MD UNCLASSIFIED
PART V
PHRASES AND EXPRESSIONS USED
IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
PART V
Page
Able or Unable 22
Advice 23
Agreement 24
Apology 26
Approval/Disapproval 28
Certainty 29
Comparison 30
Disagreement 31
Doubt 33
Emphasis 34
Impossibility 35
Improbability 35
Intention and Desire 36
Likes, 37
Dislikes,
Preferences
Obligation 39
Offers 41
Opinion 42
Moderating a Statement 43
Permission 44
Possibility 46
Probability 46
Suggestion 46
21
PART V
ABLE OR UNABLE
I can drive a car.

I am able to drive a car.
I know how to drive a car.
I can’t drive a car.

I don’t know how to drive a car.
Applicants must be able to use a word processor.

Can you speak French?
Do you speak French?
I can or I am able to lend him the money.
He is quite incapable of telling a lie.

He is quite unable to tell a lie.
He cannot tell a lie.
He was quite incapable of passing that examination.
He was quite unable to pass it.
It is quite impossible for me to be in Paris next week.
I cannot be in Paris next week.
We are not in a position to give any sort of decision yet.
He has been ill, and is still not up to or equal to any heavy work.
I’m quite hopeless at or I am no good at decorating and practical things.
I’m afraid the task proved quite beyond his powers or beyond his capabilities or
beyond his abilities.
It proved quite beyond him.
He simply could not cope with the stresses of family life.
22
PART V
ADVICE
ASKING FOR ADVICE
I’d like your advice about or I’d appreciate your advice about where to go in
Italy.
What would you advise me to do in the circumstances?
Would you advise me to do as they ask?
How would you go about it?
What would you do, if you were me?
Do you think I ought to sell it to him?
What would you recommend in these circumstances?
GIVING ADVICE
If you want my advice, I’d say you should steer well clear of them.
Take my advice and don’t rush into anything.
My advice would be to have nothing to do with this affair.
I would strongly advise you to reconsider this decision.
I would advise against any such course of action.
It would certainly be advisable to or You would be well advised to get his
permission before going any further in this matter.
In your place I would or If I were you I would clarify the matter with her
headmaster first.
I think you should send or I think you ought to send it by express post, as time is
so important.
Why don’t you explain to her exactly what happened?
If I were you, I’d go by air to save time.
You’d be as well to think it over carefully before taking any decision.

Would you allow me to suggest something? You could go there directly
from London.
If you ask me, you’d better find another travel agency.
CO
NT
RA
CT
sm
A
ll
pr
nt i
Do be sure you read the small print before you sign
anything.
Try to avoid a quarrel with him, for my sake.
Whatever you do, don’t drink the local brandy.
We believe that you would be ill-advised to have any dealings with this firm.
23
PART V
Please believe me when I say it is in your interest to act promptly now.

(LESS DIRECTLY)
It might be wise or It might be a good thing to go and see your doctor about this.
In view of the present situation, it might be better to think it over for a while before
acting.
I’d be very careful not to commit myself.
You might like or You might care to write to him and explain what happened.
There would be something to be said for acting at once.
I wonder if it might be as well to wait for another few days?
WARNING SOMEONE ABOUT SOMETHING
Take care not to spend too much money.

Be careful not to believe everything they tell you.
Make sure you don’t or Mind you don’t sign anything.
I’d think twice about going on holiday with her.
It would be sensible to consult someone who knows the country before making
detailed plans.
It would be sheer madness to marry him if you feel that way about him.
You’re risking a long delay in Cairo, if you decide to come back by that
route.
AND, ACCORDING TO CONTEXT:
What would you do in my position?/can you help me to...?/I should be grateful if you
could…/what would your reaction be if…?/might I be allowed to offer some
advice?/we would urge you to.../things being what they are…/in your shoes, I
would…/my view of the matter is…/it’s really none of my business, but.../a word of
caution.../it would seem a good idea to.../I hope you don’t think I’m interfering,
but.../it occurred to me that you might…/don’t be offended if I suggest/if I might be
permitted to.../I should warn you that…/instinct tells me that…
AGREEMENT
AGREEING WITH A STATEMENT
I fully agree with you or I totally agree with you on this point.
We are in complete agreement on this.
You’re quite right or You are quite correct when you say the fault lies here.
I share your opinion that this was extremely badly arranged.
I share your concern abut this matter.
I share your views about this.
I think we see eye to eye on the question of who should pay these costs.
We are of the same mind, when it comes to allocating responsibility within the
department.
We have been thinking along the same lines, that is quite clear.
We are broadly in agreement with you on the way to approach this problem.
24
PART V
There are several points of contact between us.

My own experience certainly bears out or confirms what you say.
Our conclusions are entirely consistent with your findings.
My own independent statistics corroborate those of your researcher.
We must endorse your conclusions on this matter.
Our opinion coincides with yours on all the important points.
We applaud the group’s decision to stand firm on this point.
I take your point about the increased transport costs.
I am prepared to concede that a trip to Australia is justified.
It’s true that you had the original idea, but many other people
worked on it.
I have no objection to this being done.
I do not object to your doing this.
AGREEING TO A PROPOSAL
This solution is most acceptable to us.

We will readily fall in with these proposals.
I like the sound of what you say about or I do like your idea of limiting
sightseeing to mornings only.
This certainly seems the right way to go about it.
As for the idea of your speaking to him about it, I should certainly welcome this.
The proposed scheme meets with our approval.
This is a proposal which deserves our wholehearted support.
I will certainly give my backing to such a scheme.
We assent to or We give our assent to your plan to develop this site commercially.
AGREEING TO A REQUEST
Of course I shall be happy to get the tickets.

I’ll do as you suggest and send him the documents.
There is no problem about getting tickets for him, and I shall do it at the end of the
week.
We should be delighted to cooperate with you in this enterprise.
We shall comply with your request at once.
INDICATING AGREEMENT
Nothing could be more true than this portrayal of the pangs of youthful love.
We must acknowledge the validity of the point made by Bevin.
One has to admit that these criticisms have some validity.
It is, as the writer says, a totally unexpected event.
They are to be congratulated on

the accuracy of their predictions.
He says, rightly in my view, that there is no meaning in this statement.
25
PART V
In Act II, the hero makes an extremely perspicacious remark about John’s
intentions.
I think the same as you do/as you have quite rightly pointed out…/I’ll go along with
that/it makes sense to do this/I am fully in accord with/I am prepared to give the go-
ahead to…/I am certainly in favour of…/I can see no reason to oppose this/this is
quite satisfactory/I am quite ready to.../we shall sanction the use of…/if you insist, I
shall.../there can be no doubt about…/I cannot dispute the facts given in…/there’s no
denying that…/I hasten to agree with…/this is just what I had hoped for/I hoped you
would say this/I would urge you to do so/I have taken this on board, and shall.../I
note your suggestion about…/it is eminently sensible to.../this is justified by…/I have
given it some thought/I agree in theory, but in practice.../I can’t help thinking that…/I
agree up to a point.
APOLOGY
I am really very sorry - I can’t come on Sunday after all, as I have to go and visit my
sister.
I’m sorry to disturb you.
I’m sorry that you have been troubled.
I can’t tell you how sorry I am about this unfortunate incident.
Please forgive me for not asking your permission before approaching him.
Do forgive me - I should have checked with your office first.
I must apologise for all the inconvenience you have been caused.
I am sorry to have to tell you that your application arrived too late.
(MORE FORMALLY)
I would ask you to excuse this misunderstanding on our part.

I can only apologise once again, on behalf of the Committee, for the disturbances
at your lecture.
I am writing to ask you to forgive our apparent rudeness in not replying to your
original letter.
We send you our most sincere apologies for all the difficulties that have occurred
in this matter.
26
PART V
(EXPRESSING REGRET)
I am very upset about the whole affair, which should never have happened.
I am really ashamed of what happened last week.
I wish I hadn’t mentioned it at all, although at the time it didn’t seem important.
I should never have said a thing like that.
To my great regret, we have been unable to dissuade him.
Unfortunately, it is not possible for me to do any more to help you in this matter.
I am entirely to blame for all this - I should have phoned the travel agency myself.
It is my fault that this misunderstanding happened, and I have written to the head of
department explaining the circumstances.
I have absolutely no excuse for this error on my part.
I am afraid I quite forgot about it until the office had closed.
I admit I gave him the papers, and should not have done so.
It was an accident - I can assure you I didn’t mean to break the clock.
I really didn’t do it on purpose - I had not realised that the handle had already
been damaged.
It is exceedingly unfortunate that the tickets were mislaid.
We regret to inform you that or We must regretfully inform you that this title is now
out of print.
We very much regret that we cannot publish this work.
(SUGGESTING EXPLANATION)
I was simply trying to give you less work.

You may find this difficult to believe, but I thought I was doing the right thing.
There has obviously been an error in our accounting procedure, possibly owing to
our recent change in computing facilities.
I was anxious not to upset him any more, as he was clearly very worried by what
happened.
I was acting in good faith when I showed them the documents.
We were obliged to accept their conditions.
We were under the impression that these figures had been passed by the
Accounts Office.
We unfortunately had no choice in the matter.
I can assure you that I had nothing to do with the arrangements.
We had no alternative but to terminate his contract at once.
I feel sure you will understand why/I can promise you it won’t happen again/you can
be sure that we shall be more careful in future/I assure you that this cannot now
happen/I shall do all in my power to see that.../we shall do all we can to improve.../I
undertake to do all that is necessary in this respect.
27
PART V
APPROVAL/DISAPPROVAL
APPROVAL
You are quite right to wait before making such an important decision.
I entirely approve of the idea of meeting you all in Geneva.
I have a very high opinion of or I have a very high regard for or I think very
highly of the school and its headmistress.
We are all very enthusiastic about or We are all very keen on his proposals for a new
sports centre here.
It’s just the sort of arrangement I wanted.
I certainly go along with that!
I am very much in favour of that sort of thing.
This project is worthy of our admiration, in that it attempts to
alleviate poverty and hunger.
I greatly appreciated the comfort and cleanliness of the hotel.
I certainly admire his courage in attempting such a daunting task.
I applaud your honesty in admitting all that.
I shall certainly give it my backing, as it seems the best hope the company has of
surviving this very difficult period.
Thank you for sending the draft programme: I like the look of it very much indeed.
I must congratulate you on the careful way you approached this problem.
There are considerable advantages in such a method, not only from the point of
view of cost effectiveness, but also ...
I can thoroughly recommend this plan of action, which has clearly been carefully
thought out.
This plan deserves our total support or our wholehearted approval.
We are pleased to recognise the merits of this scheme.
We view this proposal favourably, not least because it is based on a clear
perception of the situation.
We fully endorse all that is proposed for this region.
That’s the way it should be/it’s exactly what I had in mind/it’s just the job/we should
do all we can to see that this is a success/you have a real gift for.../I couldn’t have
put it better myself/it is worth the effort/I fully agree with what is being done/he rightly
suggests…/what a splendid thing to do/an excellent idea.
28
PART V
DISAPPROVAL
I strongly disapprove of or I heartily disapprove of such behaviour.

I cannot support or I cannot approve of any testing of the drug on live animals.
We are opposed to or We condemn all forms of professional malpractice.
I write to complain of what is being done in the name of progress.
I must object to this attempt to damage our hospital service.
I can’t say I’m pleased about what has happened.
I don’t think much of what this government has done so far.
I take a dim view of or I take a poor view of students who do not do enough work.
I have a poor opinion of or I have a low opinion of people like him.
I’m fed up with having to wait so long for a passport.
I’ve had about enough of this sort of insinuation.
I can’t bear or I can’t stand people who smoke between courses in a
restaurant.
I am very unhappy about your idea of going off to Turkey on your
own.
He was quite wrong to tell her what I said about her.
They should not have refused to give her the money.
How dare he say that such people do not matter!
It is really necessary to.../this does not seem to be the right way of going about it/it
seems to be the wrong approach/I greatly dislike…/I write to protest against…/this is
a dreadful nuisance/…with considerable dissatisfaction…/I reproach him with…/I am
sorry to learn that…/it is a disgrace/it is a scandal.
CERTAINTY
I am sure or I am certain or I am positive or I am convinced that he will keep his

word to us.
We now know for certain or We now know for sure that the exam papers were
seen by several students before the day of the exam.
It is certain or It is indisputable or It is undeniable that the two men met last
Friday in London.
There is no doubt or There can be no doubt that the goods arrived in Liverpool on
May 9th.
It has been established beyond all possible doubt or It has been established
once and for all that he was working for a foreign power during the time he was in
Cairo.
From all the evidence it is clear that they were planning to gain control of the
company.
It is beyond all doubt or It is beyond dispute or It is beyond question that their
country is rich enough to support such research.
The facts are these: we cannot sell the goods without their marketing resources.
No one can deny that the weather there is better for skiing.
We shall not fail to let you have the papers as soon as we have processed them.
29
PART V
It is inevitable that they will get to know of our meeting.

You have my absolute assurance that this is the case.
Make no mistake about it - I shall return when I have proof of your involvement.
I can assure you that I have had nothing to do with any dishonest trading.
She was bound to discover that you and I had talked.
I made sure that or I made certain that no one was listening to our conversation.
COMPARISON
This year’s sales figures are very high in comparison with or compared with or
when compared with those of our competitors.
By comparison, this one is much more expensive.
If you compare New York and Washington, you realise how pleasant the latter is to
live in.
If we set the overall cost against our estimate, we can see how inaccurate it was.
This house has a lovely garden, whereas or whilst the other has only a small yard.
The quality of the paintings is very disappointing beside that of the sculpture section
in the exhibition.
In contrast to Joan’s, Anne’s career has flourished since she left university.
As opposed to John’s or Unlike John’s, Peter’s work is careful and thorough.
This is nowhere near as large as the other one.
Let us compare and contrast the two approaches.
We must now attempt to note the similarities and the differences.
There is no comparison between them or You cannot compare them at all or
They are simply not comparable - the first scheme is clearly much more ambitious
than the second.
The former looks good, but the latter is more effective.
There is some (or no or a certain) resemblance between the two photographs.
There is some (or no etc.) similarity between them.
There is some (or no etc.) difference between them.
It’s swings and roundabouts - what you gain on one, you lose on the other.
It is something like a television screen, but much smaller.
He’s like his brother, only fairer.
What differentiates him from similar writers is his grasp of social truths.
(COMPARING FAVOURABLY)
It is greatly superior to that restaurant we went to

last time we were in Rome.
30
PART V
The imported version just can’t compete with the one we make ourselves.
I think James has the edge over Paul in maths.
The little chest of drawers is really in a class of its own.
(COMPARING UNFAVOURABLY)
It is much inferior to the sample they sent us.

His book is not worthy of comparison with or does not bear comparison with
the writings of the experts in the field.
I’m afraid her work simply does not measure up to that of her classmates.
The English forwards were no match for the French, who scored three goals in the
first half.
As far as brains go, he is not in the same class as or he is not a patch on his
father.
(GREAT SIMILARITY)
It is really much the same as the other.

There’s not much difference between them.
There’s not much to choose between them.
These rings are about equal in value.
They are of equal value.
The value of this house is equivalent to or corresponds to that of the one you
own.
It has been likened to or It has been compared to one of Wordsworth’s later
poems.
His exam results are on a par with those of his brother.
(GREAT DIFFERENCE)
They are simply not comparable or You just can’t compare them at all - they are
so different in their approach.
There is little correlation between one set of results and the other.
They have so little in common that it is a waste of time trying to assess their
respective merits.
DISAGREEMENT
DISAGREEING WITH WHAT SOMEONE HAS SAID
I cannot agree with what you say about this.

I absolutely disagree or I totally disagree with you on this.
You are quite wrong when you suggest that it was his fault.
There must be some mistake - the ferry ticket could not cost as much as that.
This cannot be the case.
31
PART V
I am obliged to point out that this is not the case.

You are wrong or You are mistaken in believing that my son was involved.
This is your view of the events: it is certainly not mine.
Surely you cannot believe all this?
I can’t share your point of view on this.
This is your opinion: I am afraid I cannot share it.
I cannot share your concern for this section of the group.
I cannot accept this interpretation of the events.
I entirely reject all you say about this.
We explicitly reject the implication in your letter.
We must agree to differ on this subject.
I think it might be better if you thought it over again.
I cannot support you on this matter.
I am afraid that I’m not altogether with you on this.
I can’t go along with all you say about them.
I have discussed this matter with my colleagues, and we cannot accept your
version of the events.
The facts do not bear out this assertion.
This report diverges from the facts as I know them.
I am afraid I think the whole thing sounds rather unlikely.
I take great exception to this statement.
DISAGREEING WITH WHAT SOMEONE PROPOSES
I am not too keen on this idea.

ER
I don’t think much of this idea. ME ROR
SS
AG
I am afraid it seems to me to be E
the wrong sort of approach to such a problem.

This does not seem to be the right way of
dealing with the problem.
While we are grateful for the suggestion, we are
unfortunately unable to implement this change.
It is not feasible to change the schedule at this late
stage.
This is not a viable alternative.
I’m very much against this idea.
I will not hear of such a thing.
INDICATING DISAGREEMENT
It is hard to agree with the popular view that religious belief is out-of-date.
This statement is totally inaccurate or is very far from the truth in many respects.
Unfortunately, there is not the slightest evidence to justify such a claim.
This argument offers no solution to the problems which have beset the artist from
time immemorial.
32
PART V
This is clearly a false view of the poet’s intentions.

The pessimistic view of life should not go unchallenged.
This simplistic notion of Shakespeare’s aim is quite unconvincing.
I find it impossible to accept the philosophical argument for this.
REFUSING A REQUEST
I am afraid I must refuse.

I can’t do it, I’m sorry to
say.
I won’t agree or I can’t agree to do that.
I cannot in all conscience do what you
request.
I hope you are not too upset, but I just
can’t manage it.
I cannot possibly comply with this
request.
I wouldn’t dream of doing a thing like that.
I refuse point-blank to have anything to do with this affair.

It would not be possible for me to do this.
This is quite out of the question for the time being.
It is unfortunately impracticable for us to commit ourselves at this stage.
In view of the proposed timescale, I must reluctantly decline to take part.
DOUBT
I doubt whether he knows where it came from.

It is doubtful whether he knows where it came from.
There is still some doubt surrounding his exact whereabouts.
It isn’t certain or It isn’t known for sure where she is.
It is not necessarily the case.
I am not sure or I am not certain or I am not convinced or I cannot say definitely that
these goods will sell.
We are still in the dark about where the letter came from.
I am wondering if I should offer to help them out?
There is no proof or There is no evidence that what he says

is correct.
It is touch-and-go whether they can save the company.
It’s all still up in the air - we shan’t know for certain until the end of next week.
33
PART V
It is debatable whether there is any value in interviewing him so long after the
event.
It’s anyone’s guess who will be chosen.
I have my doubts about the value of the experiment.
It is questionable whether the author intended this.
The government’s present attitude raises the whole question of whether local
government can survive in its present form.
This line of reasoning sets a serious question mark against the future of
education.
It remains to be seen whether new techniques can be found in time.
It is to be doubted whether the book is intended to convey a real message.
It may well be that Johnson is serious in this, but his motives are certainly
questionable.
Few people would deny the benefits of such a scheme. But, it may be argued, few
people would identify the need for it in the first place.
It is certainly true that moral factors are important in this area, but I wonder
whether the economic background is not more crucial.
We can believe the author up to a point, but it is hard to be sure that he is right all
the time.
In spite of the known facts, there must be serious doubts about the validity of this
approach.
It is certainly possible that or It cannot be ruled out that the author wished us to
believe this.
It may be conceded that in this play Hector is a type rather than a person.
Of course, one could reduce the number of accidents by such a method, but we
must ask ourselves whether the price is not too high.
Undoubtedly this has improved life for a large section of our society, but we must
consider carefully the implications of this fact.
It cannot be denied that the buildings are unusual, but whether they are beautiful is quite
another matter.
He has begun well. It remains to be seen whether he will continue as
impressively.
EMPHASIS
Let us be clear that the essential question is not one of money.

It should never be forgotten that the writer belongs to his own times.
It is hard to overemphasise the importance of keeping an open mind.
This disaster underlines the importance of good safety measures.
Most important of all, we must understand the feelings of the victims.
The reasoning behind this conclusion deserves especial consideration.
Not only does this passage enlighten us, but it also inspires us.
It is well worth noting the background to this argument.
It is essential to realise that the problem will not be solved by more spending.
This scene is a difficult one, especially in view of the unlikely background events.
Next I wish to focus our attention on the use of dramatic irony.
What is more, the argument lacks conviction.
It is no coincidence that law comes before order in the popular mind.
34
PART V
Another argument supports this thesis: without the contribution which working
married women make to the economy, taxes would rise immediately.
The chief feature of this scheme is its emphasis on equality of opportunity rather
than material goods.
Let us remember that any chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Moreover, it was significant that the Conference rejected the call for peace at any
price.
Virginia Woolf’s attitude to this, as to many things, is particularly interesting in that
it reflects the artist’s sense of isolation.
It is obvious to everyone that Freud is right.
What is quite certain is that justice will triumph.
The writer clearly does not understand the issue.
The fact of the matter is that nuclear waste is harmful.
It is easy to concentrate on this aspect of the problem, but the real question at
issue is different.
The facts speak for themselves: James is guilty.
Politicians make much of education aims, but what we are concerned with here
are the financial resources to achieve these.
It should be stressed that this is only a preliminary assumption.
It would be ridiculous to assert that any one political doctrine holds the answer to
our quest for Utopia.
Few will dispute the claim that the microchip has changed our lives.
It is undoubtedly true that time is money.
IMPOSSIBILITY
Such a thing cannot happen.

It cannot be the case that they want to return to the East.
It is quite impossible that or It is out of the question that or It is unthinkable
that such a thing should happen.
They couldn’t possibly have arrived already.
This rules out any possibility of their working with us again.
There is not the remotest chance that or There is absolutely no chance that he
will succeed.
There is no question of our giving them a contribution to their fund.
There can be no return to earlier standards.
IMPROBABILITY
It is highly improbable that there could be any saving in the original budget.
You probably have not yet seen the document I am referring to.
It is very doubtful now whether the expedition will reach the summit.
In the unlikely event that she should get in touch with you, please let me know
immediately.
There is but a small chance that anyone survived such a horrendous accident.
It is scarcely to be expected that the university will contribute towards the cost.
35
PART V
INTENTION AND DESIRE
ASKING WHAT SOMEONE INTENDS OR WANTS
Will you take the job?

Do you intend to or Do you mean to take the job?
What flight do you mean or do you intend to take to New York?
What do you propose to do with the money you have inherited?
It would be useful to know what your intentions are or what you intend to do.
What had you in mind for the rest of the programme?
Did you mean to tell him how much you had paid for the house, or did the figure just
slip out?
SAYING WHAT YOU INTEND (YOUR INTENTIONS)
I am going to or I intend to or I mean to or My intention is to sell the car as soon

as I can.
They intended him to go to university, but he did not pass his exams.
I have made up my mind or I have decided to go to university.
I am thinking of going to live in the country when I retire.
I am hoping to go and see her when I am in the States.
They have every intention of returning next year.
I went to London, intending to visit her or with the intention of visiting her, but she was
away
on business.
What I have in mind is to start a small hardware business.
I aim to reach Africa in three months.
He resolved to or He made a resolution to devote his life to the welfare of the
underprivileged.
Our aim or Our object in buying the company is to provide work for the people of
the village.
My whole point in complaining was to get something done about the state of the
roads.
We plan to move or We are planning on moving into the European market next
year.
They bought the land in order to farm it or for the purpose of farming it.
He studied history, with a view to becoming a politician when he left college.
SAYING WHAT YOU DO NOT INTEND TO DO
I didn’t mean to or I didn’t intend to offend her, but she made me very angry.
I intend not to pay or I don’t intend to pay unless he completes the work.
His parents didn’t intend him to be a lion-tamer, but it was the only work he could
find.
He had no intention of accepting the post even if it were offered to him.
We are not thinking of advertising this post at the moment.
36
PART V
SAYING WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE
I should like to see the Sistine Chapel.

Her father wanted her to be a teacher.
Robert wished to work abroad but could not get a work permit.
I am very keen to see more students take up engineering.
I’m longing to or I’m dying to go to Australia, but I can’t afford it yet.
I insist that you inform me as soon as you hear from them.
SAYING WHAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO
I don’t want or I have no wish or I haven’t any desire to take the credit for
something I did not do.
I wouldn’t want you to change your plans for my sake.
I refuse to tell you where I put the documents.
I should prefer you not to speak to her about this.
What have you in view for…/have you anyone in mind for…/I am trying to discover
your exact aims/did you do it intentionally?/I did it on purpose/it was by design/it was
quite deliberate/it was not intentional/I went into this with my eyes open/he contrived
to.../we were figuring on…/we were reckoning on…/they do not envisage…/her
dearest wish was to.../he had set his sights on…/his ambition is to…/I did not bargain
for…
LIKES, DISLIKES AND PREFERENCES
ASKING ABOUT PREFERENCES
Would you like to visit the castle, while you are here?
How do you feel about going to a cricket match when you’re in England?
What do you like doing best, when you are on holiday?
What’s your favourite way to spend an evening?
Which of the two do you prefer?
We could either go to Ottawa or stay in New York .

Which would you rather do?
37
PART V
SAYING WHAT YOU LIKE
I greatly enjoy going to the cinema, especially to see a good French film.
I’m very keen on gardening.
As for seaside towns, I’m very fond of Brighton.
What I like better than anything else is or There’s nothing I like more than a
quiet evening by the fire with a book.
For me, there’s nothing to compare with the Italian Renaissance painters.
I must admit to a certain affection for or fondness for or weakness for
Victorian houses.
I have a soft spot for Labradors.
I like people to be on time for their appointments.
SAYING WHAT YOU DISLIKE
I very much dislike that sort of holiday.

I can’t stand or I can’t bear books that other people have written on.
I’m not too keen on seaside holidays.
I can’t say writing essays appeals to me very much.
It’s not my kind of book (or film or place etc).
I’m fed up with snooker on television.
Cowboy films aren’t my favourite form of entertainment.
I’m not too wild about or I can’t get up any enthusiasm for hill-
walking.
Knitting isn’t really my thing, I’m afraid.
I’ve gone off the idea of cycling round Holland.
There’s nothing I like less or There’s nothing I dislike

more than having to get up at dawn.
I don’t much like the fact that he is always late on Monday
mornings.
I took a dislike to him the moment I saw him.
What I hate most is waiting in queues for buses.
I find it intolerable that there should be no public transport
here on Sundays.
I have a particular aversion to or I have a particular
dislike of people who think like that.
38
PART V
SAYING WHAT YOU PREFER
I should prefer to or I would rather wait until we have enough money to go by air.
I’d prefer not to or I’d rather not go and see her until I have found the book she
lent me.
I’d prefer you not to or I’d rather you didn’t invite him.
We should prefer you to put any comments in writing and send them to our Service
Manager.
I like the blue curtains better than the red ones.
I prefer the blue curtains to the red ones.
EXPRESSING INDIFFERENCE
I have no particular preference.

I don’t mind at all - let’s do whichever is easiest.
I really don’t care what you tell her.
It’s all the same to me whether he comes with us or not: I suggest you decide.
I don’t feel strongly about what sort of transport we choose - why don’t you make
that decision?
It makes no odds, one way or the other.
OBLIGATION
SAYING WHAT SOMEONE MUST DO
You must or You have got to or You have to be back before

midnight.
You must not fail to pay the amount owing, or you will become
liable to prosecution.
You will go directly to the headmaster’s office and wait for me there.
They could not get into the country without a visa.
They had to have a visa to get into the country.
She was obliged to give up her room in the hostel.
He was forced to or obliged to ask his family for a loan.
He was driven to asking his family for a loan.
You need to or You must or You have to have an address in Rome before you can
apply for the job.
Three passport photos are required.
It is essential to or It is of the utmost importance to know what the career options
are like, before choosing a course of study.
Go and see Pompeii - it’s a must!
You really must or You really should or You really ought to be more careful with
your things.
You certainly ought to visit the Coliseum.
A clean driving licence is indispensable or necessary or essential or compulsory
for the job.
39
PART V
It is a requirement of the job.

I must now offer my resignation: in the circumstances, I cannot do otherwise or I
have no alternative.
You have to come with me - there’s no two ways about it, since I don’t speak the
language at all.
(ASKING WHETHER YOU ARE OBLIGED TO DO SOMETHING)
Do I need to or Must I or Do I have to or Have I got to have a work permit?

Ought I to or Should I take some reading matter?
Is it necessary to or Must one or Does one need to or Does one have to or Has
one got to own a pair of skis?
Am I meant or Am I expected or Am I supposed to fill in this part of the form too?
SAYING OR ASKING WHAT SOMEONE IS NOT OBLIGED TO DO
You needn’t or You don’t have to or You haven’t got to go there if you don’t want
to.
I haven’t got to apply before September, but I’d like to do so before I leave on
holiday.
It is not necessary to or There’s no need to or It is not compulsory to or It is not
obligatory to have previous experience, but it does help.
You are not obliged or You are under no obligation to invite him, but it would be
a kindness to do so.
Surely I needn’t or Surely I haven’t got to give him all the details immediately?
SAYING WHAT SOMEONE MUST NOT DO
You must not or You are not allowed to sit the exam more than three times.
You must not or On no account must you show this document to any
unauthorised person.
It is forbidden to or It is not allowed to bring cameras into the gallery without prior
permission from the owners.
I forbid you to return there.
You are forbidden to return there.
Smoking is forbidden or is prohibited in the dining room.
Smoking is not allowed or is not permitted in the dining room.
You’re not supposed to or You’re not meant to use this room unless you are a
club member.
You cannot be out of the country for longer than three months without losing your
right to this grant.
he had to go/it was obligatory/they had made it compulsory/it’s vital that…/it is

necessary/it is quite indispensable/it is a prerequisite of/it is my duty to.../I’m duty
bound to.../the onus is on you to.../we could not but agree/he was compelled to...
40
PART V
OFFERS
OFFERS/REQUESTS
May I show you the city while you are here?

Would you like me to find out more about it for you?
Is there anything I can do about your accommodation?
We would like to offer you the post of assistant manager.
I might perhaps or I could perhaps give you a hand with the painting?
Shall I collect the documents for you on my way there?
How about letting me find some help for you in the house?
(MORE INDIRECTLY)
Say I were to lend you the money till your bursary comes through?
Would you allow me to contribute towards the cost?
I would be delighted to help, if I may.
I hope you will not be offended if I offer a contribution towards the expense you
are incurring.
It would give me great pleasure to welcome you to my home.
I’d like to pay my share, if it’s all the same to you.
If you don’t mind, I’ll buy my own tickets.
Do let me know if I can help you on anything else.
If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to write to me.
What if I were to call for you in the car?
It occurred to me that I might go with you as far as the border at least?
REQUESTS
Would you please or Will you please call in and see her if you have time when you
are in Rome?
Would you please or Would you kindly reserve one single room for those nights?
Could you arrange or Would it be possible for you to arrange for a car to come to
the
airport for me?
Would you mind letting me have a copy of your letter to him?
Might I ask you to or Could I ask you to let me have a note of his address some
time?
(MORE FORMALLY)
I should be grateful if you would let me know which items you have in stock.
I would ask you or I must ask you not to use the telephone for long-distance calls.
We should be glad to receive your cheque for this amount by return of post.
41
PART V
You are requested to return the books to us at once.

Kindly inform us when your account will be in credit.
(MORE INDIRECTLY)
I would rather you didn’t tell him what I said.

It would be very helpful or It would be very useful if you could find me a room
there.
I was hoping that you might find time to go and see her.
I wonder whether you might not ask her for it?
I would appreciate it if you could let me have copies of the best photographs.
I apologise for troubling you with such a request/I hope this will not take up too much
of your time/if it is not too much trouble…/if I am not disturbing you…/I hope you
don’t mind about this/don’t forget to.../for heaven’s sake don’t…/may I remind you
to.../we look forward to receiving from you…/if you do not...we shall…
OPINION
ASKING FOR SOMEBODY’S OPINION
What do you think of or What is your opinion on the way he has behaved over
this?
If I may ask your opinion, how do you see the traffic developing in this part of the
town?
I’d be interested to know what your reaction is to the latest report on food
additives.
Can you tell me what your own feelings are about the way the house was sold?
What are your thoughts on the subject of how to earn more money?
I have been asked to find out what your attitude is to this problem.
Have you come to any conclusions about how we should plan the next stage?
EXPRESSING YOUR OPINION
In my opinion or As I see it, that was the best thing that could have happened to
them.
I feel children shouldn’t be ordered around too much.
Personally, I believe her sister should have invited her to stay.
When I think about it, it seems to me that there are too many people chasing too
few jobs.
I have the impression that there has been enough money spent on this project
already.
I have an idea or a hunch that he might be coming back before the end of the
summer.
42
PART V
I daresay he’ll apologise if you give him time.

To my mind, he’s the wrong man for the job.
From my point of view or As far as I am concerned, television is a complete
waste of time.
My own view of the matter is that the government will have to act quickly.
My own point of view is that or It’s my belief that people are best left to sort out
their own lives.
It’s my opinion that or I am of the opinion that such people should not be allowed
access to public funds.
I am convinced that they did it in order to make things difficult for us.
From where I stand, it looks as though the school will have to close.
If you ask me or If you want to know what I think or If you want my opinion, he
should have been sent to hospital right away.
REPLYING WITHOUT GIVING AN OPINION
I should prefer not to comment on that statement at the moment.

I would rather not commit myself at this stage.
I don’t know what to think about or I don’t know what to say about the new
scheme to brighten up the town.
This is not something I have given a lot of thought to.
I have no particular views on this subject.
I haven’t any strong feelings about it.
I am not in a position to say much about what is going on at these talks, as I have
been abroad for some time.
I haven’t any idea or I haven’t the slightest notion what we ought to do now.
I’m afraid I am totally ignorant about or I know nothing at all about the internal
combustion engine.
It all depends on what you mean by...
It depends on your point of view.
It is difficult to say who is right about this.
Your guess is as good as mine.
It doesn’t much matter to me whether or not he decides to go.
I wouldn’t like to give an opinion on that.
MODERATING A STATEMENT
The new law could have far-reaching implications for patterns of crime.
There might well be an explanation which we have overlooked.
Such a response suggests that or might be taken to mean that the group lacked
enthusiasm for the project.
Let us assume (or suppose or conjecture) that Mary does love Worthington.
There is a strong possibility that or There is a strong probability that
Worthington loves Mary.
One might reasonably suppose or One might justifiably assume that such
behaviour would be frowned upon in any civilised society.
43
PART V
PERMISSION
ASKING FOR PERMISSION
May I or Might I or Can I or Could I tell her about this?

Would you let me or Would you allow me to be present at the interview?
Would it be possible for us to leave the car in your garage
for a week?
Is there any chance of borrowing your boat while we are at
the lake?
Do you mind if I come to the meeting next week?
Would it be all right if I arrived on Monday instead of
Tuesday?
Would it bother you if I invited him?
Would you have anything against my inviting him?
Would you have any objection or Would there be any objection to my bringing a
friend with me?
Would you be kind enough to allow me to or I should be grateful if you would
allow me to travel with your group as far as the border.
May I be permitted to or May I be allowed to leave early on these three days?
Are we allowed to or Are we permitted to or Is it allowed to or Is it permitted to
visit the Cathedral?
Is visiting the Cathedral permitted?
Is it permissible to take photographs inside the gallery?
GIVING PERMISSION
You can or You may have the car if you promise to drive carefully.
Of course you can borrow our boat - we are always glad when friends use it.
By all means, borrow our boat...
I should be delighted if you gave my name as a reference for this job.
It’s all right by me or I’m quite happy if you want to skip the visit to the Cathedral.
Of course I don’t mind if you prefer to

stay in Italy for another week.
44
PART V
I have no objection at all to your quoting me in your article.

I have nothing against your quoting me.
You have my permission to be absent for that week.
We should be happy to allow you to inspect the papers
here.
You are allowed to visit the Museum, as long as you apply in writing to the Curator
first.
We have been given permission to or We have been authorised to hold the
meeting in the town hall.
The manager is quite agreeable to or has agreed to our using his premises.
REFUSING PERMISSION
You can’t or You mustn’t go anywhere near the research lab.

I should prefer you not to or I wouldn’t want you to or
I’d rather you didn’t give them my name.
We regret that it is not possible for you to visit the castle
at the moment, owing to the building works.
I cannot allow this or I cannot permit this for the time being.
I couldn’t possibly allow you to show the photographs to a publisher.
I’m not allowed to visit such places alone.
I forbid you to approach him on my behalf.
You must not approach him.
You must not or You are forbidden to enter the premises without authority from the
owners.
I’ve been forbidden to swim for the moment.
My doctor forbids me any alcohol.
I’ve been forbidden alcohol by my doctor.
It is strictly forbidden to carry weapons in this country.
Carrying weapons is strictly prohibited.
I wanted to ask you if I might…/I wonder if I might…/if it’s all right by you, I.../can I
have the go-ahead to.../with your permission, I should like to.../if you agree…/that’s
OK by me/permission is granted/I’m sorry, there’s no chance of this/I’m sorry to have
to say no, but.../we are obliged to withhold permission/I am afraid we must reject this
request/he has no objection to our.../they won’t object/I managed to get him to agree
to.../he wouldn’t hear of it/he refused point-blank.
45
PART V
POSSIBILITY
The situation could or might change from day to day.

Perhaps he has already arrived.
It would appear or It would seem that the grey car had been in an accident.
It is possible that or It is conceivable that they had met before.
It may be that I shall come to the States in the autumn.
It may be the case that they got your name from your former department.
It is within the bounds of possibility that he will know the man you mentioned.
There is reason to believe that the books were stolen from the library.
There are grounds for believing or There are grounds for the belief that they
knew what we were doing as early as 1970.
I venture to suggest that he could be the man we need.
There is the outside chance that the hotel isn’t yet full.
PROBABILITY
It is highly probable or quite likely that they will come to the airport to meet you.
They will very probably come to meet you.
He must know what we want of him.
The cheque should reach you in Saturday’s post.
It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that he was working for the Americans.
There is a strong chance that or It seems highly likely that they will agree to the
deal.
It could very well turn out to be the case that they had run out of funds.
The probability is or The likelihood is that we shall have to pay more for it if we
buy it from them.
In all probability or In all likelihood we shall have to pay more.
It is reasonable to think that he will agree to join us.
It would appear or It would seem that he knew James Joyce in Ireland.
The chances are that or The odds are that or There is a good chance that you
are right.
It stands to reason that he had seen the book before.
SUGGESTION
We could stop off in Barcelona for a day or two, if you would like to.
How do you fancy a couple of days at the sea?
What would you say to a morning on Grand Canal?
Would you like to visit the castle while you are here?
I suggest (that) or I would suggest (that) or I’d like to suggest that we offer him
the job.
What if we were to arrange a meeting for the end of May?
Perhaps we should ask him if he would like to come with us?
46
PART V
Why not go round to see him yourself?

Suppose or Supposing you were to rent a house in Sicily?
Perhaps you might care to add your name to this list?
You could or You might buy the tickets for both of us, if you agree.
You might like to write to him and explain what happened.
In your place or If I were you, I’d be very careful.
What do you think about trying to set up such a meeting?
Have you ever thought of applying for the job?
I’ve got an idea - let’s invite him over here.
If I may make a suggestion, why not discuss it with him?
If I might be permitted to suggest something: would you take her on in your
department for a while?
We propose that half the fee be paid in advance, and half on completion of the
contract.
(MORE TENTATIVELY)
It is quite important that you should wait till he returns.

I am convinced that this would be a dangerous step to
take.
I was thinking of going there next month - how about it?
There would be a lot to be said for acting at once.
Might I be allowed to offer a little advice? Talk it over with your parents first.
I’d advise you to steer well clear of them.
In these circumstances, it might be better to wait.
It might be a good thing or It might be a good idea to warn her about this.
If you were to give me the negative, I could get copies made.
Would it matter if you didn’t hand in the essay on time?
Say you were to change the date of your holiday?
Some people might prefer to wait until they are sure of the money before acting.
Perhaps it might be as well to ask her permission first?
I’d be very careful not to commit myself.
ASKING FOR SUGGESTIONS
What would you do in my place or What would you do if you ?

were me?
Have you any idea what the best way to go about it is?
I wonder if you have any suggestion to offer on where we might
go for a few days?
I’m a bit doubtful about where to start.
if you don’t object…/I’d like to ask you a favour/I would advise you to.../take care not
to.../I would recommend…/whatever you do, don’t.../perhaps you would kindly…/I
cannot put it too strongly/my idea was to.../how do you feel about this?/I should be
grateful if you would…/it could be in your interest to.../it occurred to me that…/I
47
PART V
would be delighted to.../I hope you will not be offended if…/if I were to make an
informed guess, I’d say…/it might have something to do with…/if you ask me, you’d
better…/it would certainly be advisable to...
48

Phrases and Expressions Used in The English Language: Nato/Pfp/Md Unclassified

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Phrases and Expressions Used in The English Language: Nato/Pfp/Md Unclassified

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NATO/PfP/MD UNCLASSIFIED

I can drive a car.

I can’t drive a car.

Applicants must be able to use a word processor.

I can or I am able to lend him the money.

He is quite incapable of telling a lie.

ASKING FOR ADVICE

If I were you, I’d go by air to save time.

You’d be as well to think it over carefully before taking any decision.

Please believe me when I say it is in your interest to act promptly now.

WARNING SOMEONE ABOUT SOMETHING

Take care not to spend too much money.

AND, ACCORDING TO CONTEXT:

AGREEING WITH A STATEMENT

There are several points of contact between us.

This solution is most acceptable to us.

Of course I shall be happy to get the tickets.

They are to be congratulated on

He says, rightly in my view, that there is no meaning in this statement.

AND, ACCORDING TO CONTEXT:

I would ask you to excuse this misunderstanding on our part.

I was simply trying to give you less work.

AND, ACCORDING TO CONTEXT:

AND, ACCORDING TO CONTEXT:

I strongly disapprove of or I heartily disapprove of such behaviour.

AND, ACCORDING TO CONTEXT:

I am sure or I am certain or I am positive or I am convinced that he will keep his

It is inevitable that they will get to know of our meeting.

It is greatly superior to that restaurant we went to

I think James has the edge over Paul in maths.

The little chest of drawers is really in a class of its own.

It is much inferior to the sample they sent us.

It is really much the same as the other.

DISAGREEING WITH WHAT SOMEONE HAS SAID

I cannot agree with what you say about this.

I am obliged to point out that this is not the case.

DISAGREEING WITH WHAT SOMEONE PROPOSES

I am not too keen on this idea.

the wrong sort of approach to such a problem.

This is clearly a false view of the poet’s intentions.

I am afraid I must refuse.

I wouldn’t dream of doing a thing like that.

I refuse point-blank to have anything to do with this affair.

I doubt whether he knows where it came from.

I am wondering if I should offer to help them out?

There is no proof or There is no evidence that what he says

Let us be clear that the essential question is not one of money.

Such a thing cannot happen.

INTENTION AND DESIRE

ASKING WHAT SOMEONE INTENDS OR WANTS

Will you take the job?

SAYING WHAT YOU INTEND (YOUR INTENTIONS)

I am going to or I intend to or I mean to or My intention is to sell the car as soon

SAYING WHAT YOU DO NOT INTEND TO DO

SAYING WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE

I should like to see the Sistine Chapel.

SAYING WHAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO

AND, ACCORDING TO CONTEXT:

LIKES, DISLIKES AND PREFERENCES

ASKING ABOUT PREFERENCES

We could either go to Ottawa or stay in New York .

SAYING WHAT YOU LIKE