A language function is the purpose for which an utterance or unit of language is used. In other words, it is the reason why someone says something. There are many different language functions, but some of the most common ones include:
Giving instructions: This type of language function is used to tell someone what to do. For example, you might say "Open the door" or "Turn left at the next intersection."
Asking questions: This type of language function is used to get information from someone. For example, you might say "What time is it?" or "Where is the nearest bathroom?"
Making statements: This type of language function is used to share information with someone. For example, you might say "The sky is blue" or "I'm going to the store."
Expressing emotions: This type of language function is used to share your feelings with someone. For example, you might say "I'm happy" or "I'm sad."
Conversing: This type of language function is used to have a conversation with someone. For example, you might say "How are you?" or "What did you do today?"
Offer your advice or suggestion. You can use phrases like "I think you should," "I would suggest," or "Why don't you."
Posing a question:
- What do you think about....?
- What about...?
To agree with / disagree with
Here are some tips on how to agree and disagree in English, especially for non-native speakers:
Be clear about your level of agreement or disagreement. There are different ways to express agreement or disagreement, depending on how strongly you feel about something. For example, you might say "I agree" to show that you simply agree with someone, or you might say "I totally agree" to show that you strongly agree.
Use polite language. Even if you disagree with someone, it's important to be polite and respectful. You can do this by using phrases like "I see your point," "I understand where you're coming from," or "I respect your opinion, even though I don't agree with it."
Explain your reasons. When you disagree with someone, it's helpful to explain your reasons. This will help the other person understand your perspective and why you feel the way you do.
Be prepared to listen to the other person's reasons. Even if you disagree with someone, it's important to listen to their reasons. This will help you understand their perspective and why they feel the way they do.
Here are some common expressions for agreeing and disagreeing in English:
Agreeing
That's right!
Absolutely!
Exactly!
Me too!
Yes, I agree!
I couldn't agree with you more!
I see exactly what you mean!
You're right.
That's a good point.
Disagreeing
I don't agree!
I totally disagree!
Absolutely not!
That's not right!
I'm not so sure about that.
I beg to differ.
I'd say the exact opposite.
Not necessarily.
That's not always true.
Partly agreeing
I agree up to a point, but ...
I see your point, but ...
That's partly true, but ...
I'm not so sure about that.
Be clear about what you don't understand. When you ask for clarification, it's important to be clear about what you don't understand. This will help the other person know what they need to explain.
Use polite language. Even if you're not sure what someone is saying, it's important to be polite when you ask for clarification. This will show that you're interested in understanding what they're saying, and it will also help to maintain a positive relationship.
Be specific. When you ask for clarification, be as specific as possible. This will help the other person know exactly what you need to understand. For example, instead of saying "I don't understand," you could say "I'm not sure what you mean by 'formal dress code.'"
Be patient. It may take the other person a moment to clarify what they're saying. Be patient and wait for them to answer your question.
Here are some examples of how to ask for clarification in English:
Could you please repeat that?
I'm not sure I understand. Could you explain that again?
What do you mean by 'formal dress code'?
Can you give me an example of what you mean?
I'm not sure I follow your logic. Could you walk me through that again?
Here are some tips on how to make your reasoning more explicit:
State your assumptions. What are the things you're taking for granted? What are you assuming to be true?
Explain your steps. How did you reach your conclusion? What were the steps in your reasoning?
Use evidence to support your claims. Why should someone believe what you're saying? What evidence do you have to back up your claims?
Be clear about your conclusion. What is your overall point? What are you trying to argue?
Here are some examples of how to make your reasoning more explicit:
I think the cat is in the house because I saw it go in earlier and I haven't seen it come out.
I believe that climate change is real because there is overwhelming scientific evidence to support it.
I think that the government should raise taxes on the wealthy because they can afford it and it would help to reduce the deficit.
When you make your reasoning more explicit, you're making it easier for others to understand your point of view and to follow your logic. This can help you to have more productive conversations and to persuade others to your point of view.
Here are some additional tips for making your reasoning more explicit:
Use clear and concise language. Avoid jargon and technical terms that your audience might not understand.
Use examples to illustrate your points. This can help to make your reasoning more concrete and easier to understand.
Be aware of your audience. Tailor your reasoning to the audience you're addressing.
Be open to feedback. Ask others to review your reasoning and to give you feedback.
Sure, here are some tips on how to sum up a conversation:
Identify the main points of the conversation. What were the key points that were discussed?
Summarize the main points in your own words. This will help you to ensure that you understand the points correctly.
Identify any areas of agreement or disagreement. Did the two of you agree on everything? If not, what were the main areas of disagreement?
Summarize the overall conclusion of the conversation. What did you learn from the conversation? What are the next steps?
Here are some examples of how to sum up a conversation:
"So, to sum up, we agreed that the new marketing campaign is a good idea, but we need to make sure that it's targeted correctly. We also need to get approval from the CEO before we move forward."
"In conclusion, we discussed the pros and cons of moving to a new office. We decided that it's not the right time to move, but we'll keep the option open in the future."
"Overall, we had a productive conversation about the new product launch. We identified some key areas that need to be addressed, and we'll be meeting again next week to discuss our next steps."
When you sum up a conversation, you're helping to ensure that everyone is on the same page. This can help to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that the conversation is productive.
Here are some additional tips for summing up a conversation:
Be concise. Get to the point and don't ramble.
Be clear. Use clear and simple language that everyone can understand.
Be objective. Don't express your own opinions or beliefs.
Be respectful. Even if you disagree with someone, be respectful of their point of view.