Day 26: Don't say yes or no (part 2)!

As I advanced on day... well, many days ago, here is a part 2 for our "alternative answers" challenge!

In this challenge we'll be matching the answers to their function, something that is essential to start actually using them. Go for it!

- Do the two parts of the challenge.

 - Share your answers with us in the comments.

 - As an extra: 1. try to give an extra answer for each question in the challenge, and 2. Tell us which answer sounds most formal/informal to you.


Hope you enjoy this one and incorporate some of these into your production!


1. Let's find the function of these sample answers. Which response is used to show the speaker...

a. ... doesn't believe something will happen?
b. ... thinks something is desirable, but it doesn't happen?
c. ... doesn't know something?
d. ... is willing to do something?
e. ... doesn't want something to happen?
f. ... gives permission?


1. When will the cycle lane be built?
- Don't hold your breath!

2. Will they start charging for the service next year?
- Not if we can help it!

3. Should the school recycle its paper?
- If only it would!

4. Is there any way the race can be stopped at this point?
- Not that I'm aware of!

5. Could you help me with the cooking?
- I'd be only too pleased to!

6. Can I give you some gardening advice?
- By all means!


2. In this one, match the various answers to the questions, and say which function they fulfill.

Questions:

a. You will look into ways to save energy, won't you?
b. Do you have any idea where I can get rye flour?
c. Isn't it time you got your bike mended?
d. Are you sure you wouldn't mind if I sat here?
e. Can I order just a salad?
f. Do you know what 'upcycling' means?

Answers:

1. Of course.
Certainly.
I'll get on to it soon.
As soon as I get a chance.
It's a priority.

2. Of course you can.
That's perfectly OK.
Yes, no problem.
Yes, which would you like?
Yes, by all means.

3. Be my guest!
No, go (right) ahead!
Of course not.
You might as well.

4. Sorry, I can't help.
I haven't the vagues/foggiest/least idea.
Oh, I wish I could help.
Well, you could try the supermarket.
The market might stock it.
You might try checking the Internet.

5. Don't ask me!
Never heard of it.
I think I have an idea.
I'd be lying if I said I did.
Are you sure that's a word?
Better look it up!
Something tells me it's a bit like ...
Isn't it a kind of ... ?

6. I haven't go round to it, I've been too busy.
I've been meaning to do it.
Oh, dear! I completely forgot about it.
It just slipped my mind.
I though you said you'd do it!


Comments

  1. fdgcApril 10, 2020 at 4:47 AM

    Hi, all,

    Here I go:

    1. When will the cycle lane be built?
    - Don't hold your breath! (a. ... doesn't believe something will happen)
    - Extra answer: That´s the eternal question.

    2. Will they start charging for the service next year?
    - Not if we can help it! (e. ... doesn't want something to happen)
    - Extra answer: I hope not

    3. Should the school recycle its paper?
    - If only it would! (b. ... thinks something is desirable, but it doesn't happen)
    - Extra answer: That´s an utopia

    4. Is there any way the race can be stopped at this point?
    - Not that I'm aware of! (c. ... doesn't know something)
    - Extra answer: That´s beyond my knowledge

    5. Could you help me with the cooking?
    - I'd be only too pleased to! (d. ... is willing to do something)
    - Extra answer: Of course, I´d love it

    6. Can I give you some gardening advice?
    - By all means! (f. ... gives permission)
    - Of course, go ahead


    a. You will look into ways to save energy, won't you? (1: is willing to do something)
    Extra answer: I hope so
    b. Do you have any idea where I can get rye flour? (4: doesn't know something)
    Extra answer: I´m afraid not
    c. Isn't it time you got your bike mended? (6: excusing for not having done anything)
    Extra answer: That´s not my priority right now
    d. Are you sure you wouldn't mind if I sat here? (3: reaffirmation / give permission)
    Extra answer: Actually, it would be a pleasure
    e. Can I order just a salad? (2: give permission)
    Extra answer: Yes, please
    f. Do you know what 'upcycling' means? (5: doesn't know something)
    Extra answer: I think I´m not the proper person to answer that

    Most formal answer: I'd be only too pleased to!
    Most informal answer: I haven't the vagues/foggiest/least idea.

    Thanks you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shall I compare thee...April 11, 2020 at 11:09 AM

      Great, Daniel! The only thing I'm not too sure of is your extra answer to e. Can I order just a salad? I don't quite see "yes, please" as granting permission. Also, you're not supposed to use "yes", hehehe. I'd say fitting a verb in the answer would qualify as "an alternative to yes or no".


      Thanks a lot!

      Delete
    2. fdgcApril 12, 2020 at 3:53 AM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. fdgcApril 12, 2020 at 3:54 AM

      Then I would replace my answer with: "Of course, just choose whatever you feel like"

      Delete
  2. EvelitaApril 10, 2020 at 9:32 AM

    Hello!!

    For the first part, these are my answers:

    1 a
    2 e
    3 b
    4 c
    5 d
    6 f

    For the second part,

    A 1  Showing willingness to do it.
    Extra answer_ Definitely

    B 4  Saying he doesn’t know the answer and being sorry for that
    Extra answer _ I’m afraid I have no idea

    C 6  (saying he hasn’t been able to do it)
    Extra answer_ I couldn’t, I’ve had bigger fish to fry!

    D 3  (giving permission to do something)
    Extra answer_ Don’t be silly!

    E 2  (giving permission)
    Extra answer_ Absolutely

    F5  (saying you don’t know something)
    Extra answer_I have no clue

    To me, the most informal answers would be “I haven’t the foggiest idea” and “don’t ask me”. I don’t find any of them too formal, but I’d say “You might try checking the internet” is more formal than others.

    Thank you Bea and Daniel! It's lovely to meet you there every day :-)


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shall I compare thee...April 11, 2020 at 11:11 AM

      For the shortest answers, "definitely", "absolutely", "certainly", I would consider using a verb, too. Not that they are wrong (I use them a lot). Just for the sake of variety. Something like "I will, definitely", or "you certainly can".

      Lovely to see you here every day too, Evelia! Makes my day :)

      Delete

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