Language Functions

2025年09月26日

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Language Functions

Expressing Anxiety,Fear and Worry

When we see other people in a state of worry or fear,we often ted to show our concern by enquiring like this:

What are you worrying about?

What is worrying you?

What do you worry about?

What’s wrong with you?

What’s the matter with you?

Why do you look worried?

You look strained.Why?

On the other hand,when we feel anxious or frightened,we want to let other know.Here are some useful expressions:

I’m afraid of losing this job.

I’m afraid that I will lose this job.

I’m frightened of/that…

I’m horrified of/that…

I’m scared of/that…

I’m terrified of/that…

I fear that…

I have a fear that…

I’m anxious about the sliding stock prices.

I’m anxious for lack of guarantee from the third party.

I feel restless with anxiety about…

I feel stressed out because…

What I’m anxious about is that…

What puts me on edge is that…

What makes me uptight is that…

What disturbs me is that…

What upsets me is that…

What drives me crazy is that…

Oh,it’s so scary.

I can’t help thinking…

Expressing Desire and Interest

When we want to express a desire or interest,we can use the following words and phrases:

I hope that I can travel around the world.

I do hope to…

I had hoped to…

I’d like to…

I’d like very much to…

I want so much to…

I’ve been looking forward to going round the world.

I’ve always dreamed of…

I can’t wait to…

I wish I had…

I wish I were…

I wish it were…

Expressing Indifference

When we don’t care about something,whether an activity or an event,we express our disinterest or indifference like this:

Who cares!

Please yourself.

I don’t care what you say.

I don’t mind what you do.

Do what you like.

Do as you please.

Suit yourself.

I couldn’t care less.

No big deal!

So what else is new?

It doesn’t matter to me.

It doesn’t make sense to me.

It’s a bore,as far as I’m concerned.

What a bore!

What’s the point?

The whole thing bores me to death.

Don’t be so boring!

What a misery you are!

That’s typical of you!

Trying to Stimulate Interest

To encourage people to take an interest in something,we can use the following expressions:

Come on!It’s actually quite interesting.

It’s not as bad as all that,surely?

Oh look!It’s really very interesting.

I’m surprised you feel that way,but it’s a lot of fun.

Listen!If you look at it this way,you’ll find…

Hey!It’s really a cool thing!

I see what you mean,but you know you’ll have a great fun.

It’s not all that bad.You’ll enjoy it.

Showing Determination

To show a firm intention to do something,we can use the following expressions:

I shall work harder to win the first prize.

I will definitely…

I’m going to…,that’s for sure.

I’ve determined to…

I’ve decided to…

I’ve made up my mind to…

I’m sure to…

I’m certainly to…

I’m sure going to…

I’m certainly going to…

Nothing’s going to stop me from doing…

I insist that I should review all the documents.

I insist on seeing my client right now.

Online Library

You may log onto the following websites for more data and information of the lecture topic: