* 17 Particular Conversational Matters (p.1 of 9)
17.1�� When you ask for advice or opinion
What do you think?�� Listen�� A �What is your recommendation? What is your opinion?��� <�I would like to have a short vacation. What do you think?� � �Sounds good to me. How about going to Mexico for a couple of weeks?�>
What do you think about that?�� Listen�� <�I want to start my own business. What do you think about that?� � �That�s great. Have you spoken with a bank about lending you start-up capital?�>
What do you think I should do?�� Listen�� <�I had a small traffic accident. What do you think I should do?� � �I think you should file a report with the police.�>
What do you suggest?�� Listen�� <�You know how complicated my situation is. What do you suggest?� � �Don't worry, you�ll sort it all out.�>
What would you do in this situation?�� Listen�� <�My wife and my sister don't get along. What would you do in this situation?� � �If I were you, I would try to keep them apart.�>
How do I go about it?�� Listen�� <�I have problems at work. How do I go about it?� � �First, try to talk with your manager.�>
17.2�� When you give advice
I think you should get a better job.�� Listen�� A �I recommend you to do it.��� <�I don't like the way my manager treats me. And I don�t like the wages the company is paying.� � �I think you should get a better job.�>
Maybe you should move to a place closer to your work.�� Listen�� <�I spend much time driving to work.� � �Maybe you should move to a place closer to your work.�>
Why don't you call the police?�� Listen�� <�My neighbor is a drunk. He abuses me.� � �Why don't you call the police?�>
If I were you, I would buy a new car.�� Listen�� <�My old car needs repair.� � �You repair your old car too often. If I were you, I would buy a new car.�>
I wouldn�t do it if I were you.�� Listen�� A �I don�t recommend you to do it.��� <�I�m going to invest more money in this company.� � �I wouldn�t do it if I were you. They aren�t doing great anymore.�>
17.3�� When you make a suggestion
I think you should call your sister.�� Listen�� <�I think you should call your sister. You haven't spoken with her for a long time.� � �You're right. Also, I want to ask her about something.�>
I don't think you should sell your boat.�� Listen�� <�I don't think you should sell your boat.� � �Thanks for the suggestion, but I need money now.�>
Why don't you buy a new car?�� Listen�� <�Why don't you buy a new car?� � �Thanks, but my old one still runs.�>
Why don't we go hiking this weekend?�� Listen�� <�Why don't we go hiking this weekend?� � �It sounds like a good idea. Where do you want to go?�>
Let's go out tonight.�� Listen�� <�Let's go out tonight. I know a nice Italian restaurant not far from here.� � �Sorry, I can't. I have much work to do.�>
We may as well go to the movies.�� Listen�� A �There is no reason we shouldn�t do that.��� <�We can go for a walk. We may as well go to the movies. What�s playing at the Los Angeles Playhouse?�>
You might as well watch television.�� Listen�� <�Since you�ve got nothing else to do, you might as well watch television.�>
It wouldn�t hurt to get a second opinion.�� Listen�� A �It would be to your advantage to do it although the result is uncertain.��� <�Your lawyer gave you a piece of advice. But before you act, it wouldn�t hurt to get a second opinion.�>
It doesn�t hurt to ask.�� Listen�� <�My mother won�t buy me a new bicycle.� � �You can try to talk with her anyway. It doesn�t hurt to ask.�>
17.4�� When you make a supposition
Suppose there was no rain now.�� Listen�� A �Let us assume it did not rain now.��� <�Suppose there was no rain now. What would you do?� � �I would go to the beach.�>
Supposing she is right.�� Listen�� A �Assuming that she is right.��� <�Supposing she is right, what does it mean for us?� � �That means we are wrong. But I don�t want to make such a bold assumption.�>
I suppose she is telling me the truth.�� Listen�� A �I believe it to be likely even though I don�t have proof.��� <�I suppose she is telling me the truth.� � �She might if it is in her interests, but you can never be sure.�>
I guess it�s going to rain.�� Listen�� A �I assume it is probable even though I�m not certain.��� <�I guess it�s going to rain. What do you think?� � �I�m not sure. Weather forecasts aren�t reliable these days.�>
I suspect he is right.�� Listen�� <�I suspect he is right.� � �Oh, I don�t know. Maybe so, maybe not.�>
I believe she is innocent.�� Listen�� <�I believe she is innocent. I just have this feeling.� � �How do you know? You don�t have any evidence.�>
I bet it�s still raining.�� Listen�� A �I can bet this is true. I am sure that....��� <�I bet it�s still raining. I can hear raindrops�. � �Yes, it�s still raining. As a matter of fact, it�s pouring!�>
I wonder if it is still snowing.�� Listen�� A �I have an unproved assumption...��� <�I wonder if it is still snowing. Can you please look out the window?� � �Yes, it is snowing.�>
Perhaps it will be sunny tomorrow.�� Listen�� A �It is possible that....��� <�It has been raining cats and dogs all week. Perhaps it�ll be sunny tomorrow.�>
Maybe we�ll see a clear sky some day.�� Listen�� A �It is of uncertain likelihood that...��� <�The weather was really bad recently. Maybe we�ll see a clear sky someday�>
Possibly the wind will abate tonight.�� Listen�� <�Possibly the wind will abate tonight. I know it�s very strong at the moment, but the radio is forecasting good weather.�>
17.5�� When you give an opinion
I think we need a vacation.�� Listen�� <�We haven�t had a vacation for three years. What do you think?� � �I think we need a vacation.�>
I don't think you need a new car.�� Listen�� <�My car is five years old. Do you think we can afford a new one?� � �I don't think you need a new car.�>
I believe markets should be regulated.�� Listen�� <�There is a recession going on. Everybody is waiting for recovery. What are your ideas about it?� � �I believe markets should be regulated.�>
I don't believe there is a connection between climate change and human activity. Listen <“What do you think about the origin of global warming?” – “I don't believe there is a connection between climate change and human activity.”>
I feel that's the right thing to do.�� Listen�� <�They are going to prohibit smoking in all public places. Do you have any thoughts on that?� � �I feel that's the right thing to do. But the government will collect less in taxes.�>
I don't feel that it's such a good idea.�� Listen�� �They are going to increase the speed limit on major freeways. How do you feel about it?� � �I don't feel that it's such a good idea.�
In my opinion, Tom Sawyer is the best book ever written.�� Listen�� <�What is your favorite book?� � �In my opinion, Tom Sawyer is the best book ever written.�>
In my humble opinion, we need to continue what we have started.�� Listen�� <�Our project is in trouble.� � �In my humble opinion, we need to complete what we�ve begun.�>
In my view, it was a mistake.�� Listen�� <�I dropped out of college when I was twenty.� � �In my view, it was a mistake.�>
From my point of view, it�s a bad deal.�� Listen�� <�I bought a sports car.� � �From my point of view, it�s a bad deal. You need a van.�>
From my perspective, it�s a good movie.�� Listen�� <�This movie received warm responses. What do you think about it?� � �From my perspective, it�s a good movie.�>
As I see it, it�s not a serious problem.�� Listen�� <�You know, the population of the planet is about to stop growing.� � �As I see it, it�s not a serious problem.�>
The way I see it, it�s not going to work.�� Listen�� <�I heard that your sister had returned to her ex-boyfriend.� � �Unfortunately she did. The way I see it, it�s not going to work.�>
It seems to me that you�ve lost some weight.�� Listen�� < � �Oh, really? I�m glad to hear that.�>
It seems like nobody cares about anything.�� Listen�� < � �That�s not right. There are responsible people everywhere.�>
It appears to me that you are the only person who is concerned.�� Listen�� < � �No, that�s not true. There are many worried and caring people.�>
It appears like nobody is doing anything about this problem.�� Listen�� < � �That�s not entirely correct. The government has allocated significant money to tackle this problem.�>
It looks like we aren�t making any progress.�� Listen�� < � �Then we�ve got to work harder to achieve our goals.�>
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