> Making requests - You haven’t got…, have you? - You couldn’t lend me…, could you? - I hope you don’t mind my asking, but…? - I wonder if you could possibly…? - Sorry to trouble you, but I wonder if it might be at all possible for you to lend me…? > Disagree politely - I’m not so sure really, I think… I’m not so certain… Well, I’m not so sure about that… No, I don’t think so really… Well, it depends… > Refusing - I’m awfully sorry, but you see… I’d like to say yes, but… I can’t really, because… > Getting more information - Could you tell me more about that… I’d like to know some more about that… I didn’t quite follow what you said about… I don’t quite understand why… > Persuading - That’s all very well, but… That’s easier said than done, you see… You don’t seem to realize that… I see what you mean, but if… That’s true, but if… > Speculating - Just imagine if you… Suppose you… What might have happened if… How would you have felt if… > Stating preferences - As far as I’m concerned, the best… From my point of view, the best… I’d go for this one… I’d much prefer that one because… This one is preferable… I’d rather have that one… > Giving an opinion - Personally I think… - I honestly believe… - All things considered, I must say… - As I see it, the obvious answer is… - In my opinion… - If you ask me… - The way I look at this is… - As far as I’m concerned… > Making suggestions - I was wondering if you… - Have you ever thought… - You could always… - Don’t you think it would… - If I were you… - You’d better… > Stating intentions - I’m definitely going to… - I’m probably going to… - I don’t really want to… - I’ve got no intention of… - I’m not going to… - I don’t expect I’ll… > Asking for information - I wonder if you could… I’d like to know if… - Do you happen to know…? - I hope you don’t mind my asking… > Answering - Well let me see… - I’m not sure, I’ll have to find out… - I’m glad you asked me that… - That is a very good question… - I’m terribly sorry, I really don’t know… - I’ve no idea, I’m afraid I can’t answer…