Language Proficiency Course
Chapter Three: Language functions and written conversations
The different functions of language have different linguistic demands. Each
function has its own typical language structures.
EVALUATING YOURSELF:
This worked well / was effective
because….
I did this well because….
It would have been better if I…..
This could be improved by….
Progress is /is not evident because
This succeeds because---
SEEKING ASSISTANCE
Can I have help with…..?
Would you help me to…..?
I need help with—
Please assist me –
Please lend a hand with----
ASKING PERMISSION
REQUESTS
Can I…..?
May I….?
Would it be possible for me…..?
Is it all right if….?
Would it be ok if…?
Do you mind if I-----?
I request----- Please
let/permit/allow me to
Would you agree to------
CLASSIFYING
These go together because---
These objects are similar because--
----
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APOLOGISING
Sorry.
I’m sorry for….
I regret……
Please forgive me for - ----
I apologise for ------
Pardon me.
Excuse me.
I beg your pardon.
AGREEING/DISAGREEING
I accept /don’t accept
This is correct/incorrect/
That is right /wrong …..
I agree /disagree with that because…..
I don’t agree with you because…..
This is incorrect because
I concur /don’t concur
EXPLAINING
This happens because
This can be explained by
When this then that
The results show that—
It is evident that------.
The reason for this is-.
This causes-to happen which results
in----
This works by----
PREDICTION HYPOTHESIS
We will probably see--- because-----.
The result of this will be-----.
If……..then….
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The common feature of this set is-- I predict…..

------ I would expect
The criteria we used for this group It is likely that
is----- Because-----this will happen.
We classified these by-------

GENERALISING OBSERVATION
Usually/mostly I noticed that….
In most cases I observed….
Normally I saw
In general It was evident that
As a rule By and large/ On average I discerned
I perceived that
I became aware of
SEQUENCE COMMANDING
First of all I insist that….!
Next Do this!
Then we… I command you to---!
After that You must---!
Meanwhile At once-----!
After a while I order-----!
Afterwards I decree----!
Finally I demand----! (At once!)
At last
INQUIRY DENIAL
How can….? It wasn’t me!
Would/could/ should----? It is not possible because-
What do you think of….? There must be a misunderstanding
How do you feel about…? as—
What’s your opinion of….? I don’t admit to……!
What is your view of…? I deny this…..…….!
What would happen if…..? I wasn’t involved in/with…….

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Do you think---? This has nothing to do with me---!

Can---? I reject/deny/refute the accusation!
May----? I am hopeful that….
Wouldn’t it be wonderful/great/if
I would really like/fancy …..?
I want/wish I desire It is my
wish/desire
PREFERENCE EXPRESSING POSITION
I prefer…..because My opinion is…..
I would prefer it if……. My view is…..
This is better than- because- I believe that-----
I favour--- My position on this is—
I incline towards…more than My attitude is---
I appreciate/enjoy/like- -more My outlook is---
This is not as good as— Personally I believe----

OBLIGATION SUGGESTIONS CRITICAL

I ought to……
I should…so that
I’d better…because
I’m obliged to…because….
I have to/must
I have no option/choice but
My duty requires me to ---
I am committed to---
I am required by—to---
My responsibility is to—----therefore
I must----
REFUSAL
No!
Absolutely not!
I can’t/ won’t/shan’t because---
I don’t wish to because……
I am unable to because----
FEEDBACK
The successful features of this are----
It would be better if….
In future you could----
This could be improved by--
It will work better when---
It was good when----
I really liked the part where
This worked here why don’t you do
it again with----?
Another way of doing that might
be—
Have you thought about--?
DEDUCTION
Putting every thing together the
answer must be—
There is a pattern which suggests
that----
Looking at all the clues the answer

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I would if I could but--- must be Logic suggests that---

Unfortunately this is not possible
because-----
Sorry.
WARNING OF CONSEQUENCE
If this----then !
The consequence of this will be
If you continue ---will !
The penalty/price for----is----!
Don’t or else!
The outcome/result of---will be-
You will pay for--- with----!
COMPARING?CONTRASTING
It’s much (better, longer, further etc)
The …… are by far the …..
Less than More than Better than Worse than Best/worst
INFERENCE
Reading between the lines—
While nobody actually said this---
It is clear/the inference is that –
The words say one thing but the
pictures/actions /expressions tell us
that----
Body language makes it clear that---
Nobody said anything but we all
understood from/because of the---
that-

- Choose the right option that expresses the right language function of
the underlined. [10 marks]

1.Kristin: Hello, Vian, Happy New Year to you and your family!
Vian: Thank you. Do come in. I'm glad you have come.
(A) To wish
(B) To request
(C) To welcome
(D) to inform
2.Keane: The race will start at 8 a.m., won't it?
Clerk: That's right. After registration, you have to assemble at the starting
line in the field.
(A) To inform
(B) To greet
(C) To request
(D) To describe

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Written Conversation

Replying to query for asking directions

The corresponding responses can be as follows.
1. It’s near the temple.
2. Walk straight ahead and you’ll see it on your left opposite the Indian
Overseas Bank.
3. Yes, walk straight as far as the end of this road and you’ll see it on your
right just opposite the public library.
4. Yes, there is one on Flowers Road.
5. Yes, walk straight ahead and take your second right you’ll see the sign
board at the corner… you can’t miss it.
6. Walk as far as the traffic lights. Then turn left into the LHM hospital
road… you’ll see the station at the end of the road.
7. Yes, it’s five minute walk if you go straight ahead.
8. Certainly not. You take the first left after walking along this flyover and
proceed
further for about half a kilometer… and it is there.
9. Yes, it’s not very far. Hop into a taxi and ask to drive. He’ll take you
there.
10. Take 47A bus and get off at Eye Hospital, walk across the junction and
now go
along the fly over passing Hotel Ashok on your left. You’ll find the library
on your right.
11. Catch Pandiyan Express at 2.15p.m.
12. I’m sorry. I don’t know. I’m a stranger myself.

REPLIES CAN BE
No. Not at all
Examples:
A - Please, will you open the door?
B - Okay, Sir.
A - Can you carry this bag for me, please?
B - Certainly, ok.
A- Could you give me my room key, Please?
B- Sure!

ASKING AND TELLING THE TIME

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A- Excuse me, can you tell me the time please?

B- Yes, of course, it’s six o’clock.
A – Thanks.

A – Excuse me, could you tell me the time please?

B – I’m sorry, I don’t know, I don’t have a watch.
A – That’s Ok.

ASKING FOR SOMETHING

A- Excuse me!
B – Yes?
A – Do you have a lighter?
B – I’m sorry. I don’t smoke.
A – That’s ok.
ASKING PERMISSION

A - Can I open the window? It’s very hot in here.

B - Really? I’m quite cold.
A - Ok. It doesn’t matter.

OFFERING TO HELP

A - Excuse me!
B - Can I help you?
A – Can I have a cell for my watch?
B – What power please?
A – Pardon?
B – What power?
A – What do you mean?
B – How many volts?. 1.5 or 3?
A – Ah. Now I understand. 1.5. Volts please.

A REQUEST and OFFER

A – I’m thirsty.
B – Would you like some coffee?
A – No thanks.

B – Would you like some orange juice?

A – Oh, yes, please.

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A – I’m hungry. Is there anything to eat?

B – Would you like a sandwich?
A – No, thanks, I’d like a pan-cake?
B – With cheese or jam?
A – Cheese and jam please?

A- Can I help you?

B- Yes, please, I’d like some egg noodles.
A- Here you are anything else?
B- Yes, can I have some ice cream too?
A- Chocolate, vanila or strawberry?
B- Chocolate ice cream, please. How much is that?
A- That’s thirty rupees please.

B- Excuse me! Can you tell me where the ICICI bank is?
A- I’m sorry. I’m a stranger here myself.

Basic simple Telephonic Conversation

Naveen : Hello, I am Naveen calling from Tirunagar. Is it the SPCA?
Voice : Yes, what can I do for you?
Naveen : I’ve already informed you about the stray dogs in my
neighbourhood. I’m afraid I’ve got a complaint to make.
Voice : What’s it?
Naveen : I’m sorry to say this, but these dogs are stoned and ill-treated by
some children of our neighbourhood.
Voice : Could you tell me where you live?
Naveen : I live in Bharathi Street, Tirunagar, Madurai. Could you please
come and take them away immediately?
Voice : Definitely. We’ll come in an hour.
Naveen : Thank you!

Dialogue between two student

Ravi : Hi,Gopal. What news?
Gopal : We are planning to visit Chennai in the month of February. Why
don’t you join us?

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Ravi : Certainty I will. Which places are you going to visit?

Gopal : We want to visit the Legislative Assembly and the museum in
addition to other places of interest.
Ravi : In that case, you should get prior permission. You should write to the
Assembly Secretary …………..
Gopal : Can you help us in drafting the letter?
Ravi : Tell me the date o f visit, the number of persons and time.
Gopal : We are a group often and we would I like to visit the assembly on
12.6.03 at about 11 a.m.
Ravi : OK. I shall draft it neatly.

Manager and secretary conversation

Manager : You know that I’m going to see Bose on Wednesday, don’t you?
Secretary: But on Wednesday you have a meeting with the office staff.
Manager : Oh, dear! In that case, I’ll see Bose on Thursday. The decision to
see Bose on Wednesday has been made before the moment of speaking and
so the speaker uses going to.

Note: The decision to see Bose on Thursday is made at the moment of

speaking and so the
speaker uses will.

Father and Son – asking money

Son : I’m sorry to bother you, I need a help daddy.

Father : What help?
Son : I want ss…some…mm money.
Father : What was that?
Son : I said I want some money.
Father : Money? What for?
Son : I’ve lost my friend’s cell phone Daddy.
Father : Your friend’s cell phone? How did it happen?
Son : It was in my shirt pocket, Daddy. While travelling in a crowded bus,
some thief picked it from my pocket. I have to buy a new one and give it to
him.
Father : You’re always careless. How much does it cost?
Son : Only Rs.3000 /-
Father : Go and get it from your mom.
Son : Thank you, Daddy.

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Some Exercises Conversations

Conversation 1
- Did you get your certificate ?
- ……………………………………………..
- How was the test ?
- ……………………………………………..
- How was the oral exam ?
- It was a breeze ! There were some questions on vocabulary, and sentence
structure. That's about it.
- You make it sound so easy !
- It is easy. I'll give you a list of sample questions that was handed out. Study
up and give it a shot. You never know when an English language certificate
might come in handy.

Conversation 2
- Is there an English class this Thursday night ?
- Yes there is ! The class starts at 5, it usually goes on till about 7. Then
there's a questions and answers session. That will go on as long as folks stick
around. Would you be interested ?
- ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
- Sure !
- Thank you ! Would I need to bring anything ?
- Just a notebook. There will be hand-outs.

Conversation 3
- So, what are up to these days ?
- Not much. I've been busy putting some web pages together.
- What about ?
- Conversations in American English. You know, slang, common
expressions, et cetera ...
- Cool ! Could I take a look ?
- By all means ! Actually I was going to run them by you. You got a few
minutes ?
- Absolutely. Give me ten minutes. I'll grab a bite to eat and I'll be right

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back.
- Sure. Take your time. I'll be around.

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