SETA: 1 Thebaby islaughing 1 Themanissitting Agent+ 2 Thewomanislaughing 2 Thewomanissitting Action

3 Theboy islaughing 3 Theboy issitting 4 Thegirlislaughing 4 Thegirlissitting 5 Theteddy islaughing 5

Theteddy issitting 6 Theman*islaughing 6 Thebaby issitting 2 SETC: 1 Themaniseatinganapple 1
Theteddyiswashinganapple Agent+ 2 Themaniseatinganorange 2 Theteddyiswashinganorange Action+ 3
Themaniseatingabanana 3 Theteddyiswashingabanana Patient 4 Themaniseatingacarrot 4
Theteddyiswashingacarrot 5 Themaniseatingalolly 5 Theteddyiswashingaspoon 6
Theteddy*iseatingabanana 6 Theteddyiswashingacup SETG: 1 Thebaby isputtingaspoononthetable 1
Themanisputtingaspoononthebed Agent+ 2 Thebaby isputtingacuponthetable 2
Themanisputtingacuponthebed Action+ 3 Thebaby isputtingafloweronthetable 3
Themanisputtingafloweronthebed Patient+ 4 Thebaby isputtingakeyonthetable 4
Themanisputtingakeyonthebed Locative 5 Theman*isputtingaphoneonthetable 5
Themanisputtingaphoneonthebed 3 SETH: 1 Themanispouringmilkintoacup 1
Thebabyispouringjuiceintoacup Agent+ 2 Themanispouringmilkintoa shoe 2
Thebabyispouringjuiceintoashoe Action+ 3 Thebaby*ispouringmilkintoa box 3
Thebabyispouringjuiceintoabox Patient+ Locative SETI: 1 Themanisputtingaspoononthebed 1
Thebabyispouringjuiceintheshoe Agent+ 2 Themanisputtingacuponthebed 2
Thebabyispouringjuiceinthebox Action+ 3 Themanisputtingafloweronthebed 3
Thebabyispouringjuiceinthecup Patient+ 4 Themanisputtingakeyonthebed Locative 5
TheBaby*isputtingaphoneonthebed
Key:Variationisunderlined;Contrastisinbold;Linkingagentsbetweentheinputandoutputphasesaremarked
Why not? → Sounds good

2. No problem → Definitely!

3. Can’t complain → Everything’s going well, thanks

4. I’m exhausted → I need to rest

5. I forgot → I’ll make sure to set a reminder

6. Unfortunately, it will be impossible to finish the project on time because of the problems some people
are causing with submitting their work late. → Can everyone turn in their portion of the project by
Thursday so that we can complete the work on time and hit the deadline?

6. Unfortunately, it will be impossible to finish the project on time because of the problems some people
are causing with submitting their work late. → Can everyone turn in their portion of the project by
Thursday so that we can complete the work on time and hit the deadline?

“Everyone here wants to see me fail”

They actually want me to do my best work

“I’m super stressed”

I’m under pressure but I know I can handle pressure

“Everyone thinks I’m a loser”

I’m not a loser. I’m in the process of figuring things out

Common Negative Language/Phrasing

If you want to move to more positive communication, the first task is to identify and eliminate common
negative phrasing. The following are quite common, and should be avoided whenever possible.

1. Expressions that suggest carelessness:

a) You neglected to specify...

b) You failed to include...

c) You overlooked enclosing...

2. Phrases that suggest the person is lying:

a) You claim that...

 b) You say that...

c) You state that...

3. Expressions that imply that the recipient is not too bright:

a) We cannot see how you...

b) We fail to understand...

c) We are at a loss to know...

4. Demanding phrases that imply coercion/pressure:

a) You should...

b) You ought to...

c) You must...

d) We must ask you to...

e) We must insist...

5. Phrases that might be interpreted as sarcastic or patronizing:

a) No doubt...

b) We will thank you to...

c) You understand, of course...

d) Please respond soon...

Positive Phrasing
If you are going to eliminate negative phrases, you will need to replace them with more positive ways of
conveying the same information. Below are just a few examples of positive phrasing.

1) If you can send us [whatever], we can complete the process for you.

2) The information we have suggests that you have a different viewpoint on this issue. Let me explain
our perspective.

3) Might we suggest that you [suggestion].

4) One option open to you is [option].

5) Directions: After reading examples of negative and positive language, practice changing the
negative statements into

positive statements listed below.

NEGATIVE STATEMENTS: POSITIVE STATEMENTS:

“Don’t stand up when you slide.” “Sit down when you slide.”

“Don’t stand when you swing.” “Sit in the swing.”

“Don’t dump the puzzle pieces on the floor.” “Keep the puzzle on the table.”

“Be careful. The swing might hit you.” “Walk around the swing.”

“Don’t you want your milk?” “Drink your milk.”

NEGATIVE STATEMENTS: POSITIVE STATEMENTS:

1. Don’t throw sand. 1.

2. Stop making so much noise. 2.

3. You can’t have any more glue. 3.

4. No, we don’t knock over someone else’s block tower. 4.

5. Quit using so many paper towelsWe can help you to [whatever] if you can send us [whatever].