Kenneth's ESL Blog

By Kenneth Beare, About.com Guide

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Language Functions

Wednesday March 14, 2007

A lot of what we say is for a purpose: expressing a wish, apologizing, asking for help, etc. Here are some helpful guides to common language functions focusing on standard phrases, structure and vocabulary used in each situation.
Contrasting Ideas
Making Complaints
Asking for Information
Giving Advice
Guessing
Being Imprecise or Vague
Saying 'No' Nicely
Showing Preferences
Making Suggestions
Offering Help
Giving Warning
Demanding Explanations

May 23, 2006 at 11:50 am (1) Aderson says:

This material about “Language Functions” is very good. For me it will be useful. Thanks!

May 25, 2006 at 3:17 am (2) Peter says:

It’s very helpfull to improve my english for my second language.

Thanks

June 1, 2006 at 4:32 pm (3) Mike says:

Good information. I would like to see a comprehensive list of universal language functions.

June 8, 2006 at 12:32 pm (4) Micholl says:

this is very good! Thanks alot but can you guys maybe add some actives/passives, questions and negatives and reported speech. Thanks alot again!

March 25, 2007 at 8:32 pm (5) Nicola says:

Thank you very much. This is just what I have been looking for!