In-negative / Explaining url
After getting too angry at the kids

- I lost control.
- This is what I have to deal with all the time.
- Things got the better of me.
- I’m a bit overwhelmed.
- I wasn’t myself.
- I was caught off-guard.
- It goes with the territory.
- I’ve been a little on edge.
- I meant well.
- I hope you understand.
- That’s easy for you to say, but put yourself in my shoes.
- I just got carried away.
After getting too angry at the kids
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a friend who’s tied in a final set of a tennis match

- That’s the spirit.
- You’ve got it in the palm of your hand.
- You’ve got what it takes.
- You’ve got to come through, we’re all depending on you.
- We’re all rooting for you.
- Take the bull by the horns.
- You can do it.
- The ball is in your court.
- Give it your best shot.
- Give it the old college try.
- We’re all counting on you.
- It’s all up to you.
- Get a move on it, and strike the iron while it’s hot.
- It’s shaping up to be a moment of truth.
- This is your big chance, don’t blow it.
For a friend who’s tied in a final set of a tennis match
In-positive / Realizing url
Seeing what stocks it would have been best to buy

- It’s slowly beginning to come into focus.
- Chalk that one up to experience.
- I’m beginning to see the situation more clearly.
- It’s as clear as clear can be.
- Now that sheds some light on the subject.
- It’s the key to everything.
- That answers that $64,000 question.
- That explains it.
- I now see things through new eyes.
Seeing what stocks it would have been best to buy
Out-positive / Agreement url
Would you like to take another laptop similar to the one I gave you last time?

- I’ll give it a try.
- That's certainly fine with me.
- That would be perfect.
- That would be a win-win situation.
- I'd be glad to take it off your hands.
- I’ll take anything you have to offer.
- Of course I wouldn't mind.
- How could I forget how well it worked out last time.
- I’ll be glad to.
- I certainly will.
- You know it.
- If you don't need it, it's like one hand washing the other.
Would you like to take another laptop similar to the one I gave you last time?
Out-positive / Friendship url
Offering help-2

- Perhaps I can be of assistance.
- I wish I could do something for you.
- I’ve gone to bat for you.
- Take what you want to your heart’s desire.
- I wish you all the luck in the world.
- I’m doing what’s best for you.
- I thought you’d never ask.
- Don’t ever say I never did anything for you.
- I'm so glad you came over.
- Be sure to let me know if I can help.
- For you, I would do anything.
- I wish you the best of luck.
- I’d be more than happy to help.
Offering help-2
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-3

- Don’t go back on your word.
- Let’s get back to basics.
- Give me a fair shake.
- I think you’re just trying to soften me up.
- Don’t jump to conclusions.
- Don’t put me on the spot.
- Be up front with me, and don’t go behind my back.
- I wouldn’t be too sure of yourself if I were you.
- You’d better be on the level.
- Don’t whittle away at me.
- It seems like everything I say falls on deaf ears.
- I’m a man of principle, and I’m not going to compromise my principles or standards to stoop and do something like that.
- I’m not made of money.
Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-3
In-negative / Disappointment url
Dropping out of Law School

- I didn’t accomplish as much as I thought I would.
- So far I haven’t seen much progress.
- I’m batting zero.
- It’s nobody’s fault but my own.
- It’s not going anywhere, so why continue?
- I’m dropping out before it gets any worse.
- With my track record, I don’t think I have much of a choice.
- I’m a bit disappointed in my performance.
- I fully expected that I could have done better than I did.
- I just wasn’t good enough.
- It was just beyond my reach.
- It’s been an unmitigated disaster.
Dropping out of Law School
Out-positive / Agreement url
I think the company should match our charity contributions.

- That’s a sensible idea.
- You have a good point there.
- You sold me.
- I think that makes a lot of sense.
- It makes sense to me.
- I see what you’re driving at.
I think the company should match our charity contributions.
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-2

- I’ve given it some thought, and I’ll share with you my honest conclusions.
- I’m all ears.
- Tell it to me straight.
- I got it, loud and clear.
- I’ll see what I can do.
- I have to think it over.
- I see where you’re headed.
- I wasn’t looking at it that way.
- That remains to be seen.
- Let’s not skirt around the issue.
- It’s food for thought.
- I gathered that.
- I'm just trying to let you know my way of looking at it.
- What did you have in mind?
- I’m giving you my full attention.
- Will you swear to it?
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-2
Out-neutral / Advice url
Skeptic

- The chances of that happening are pretty close to zero.
- If you believe that I have a bridge to sell you.
- Nothing lasts forever.
- You can’t believe everything you hear.
- I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you.
- It’s not worth it.
- I think you’re expecting something that’s not realistic.
- I don’t think that’s such a good idea.
- Lightning never strikes twice in the same spot.
- That’s not a good idea.
- There’s more to it than meets the eye.
- You can’t judge a book by its cover.
- It’s not what it’s cracked up to be.
- Take it with a grain of salt.
- You have to read between the lines.
Skeptic
In-negative / Explaining url
Coming home drunk

- I couldn’t help myself.
- I guess things got to me.
- I did it on the spur of the moment.
- My head is spinning.
- I’m about to drop.
- Unfortunately it’s become my security blanket.
- It’s been a rough night.
- I feel like a worn out dish rag.
- With a little bit of luck things will soon get back to normal.
- The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
- I could use some moral support.
- I hate to admit it, but it was beyond my control.
- I’ve never had any problems in that area before.
- There’s a first time for everything.
- You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
- I'm going through a rough time.
Coming home drunk
In-negative / Disappointment url
Entrepreneur folding company

- It doesn’t seem to be getting off the ground.
- This is the end of the line.
- I’m washing my hands of the whole thing.
- It’s going to be rough, but it’s better than the alternative.
- We spent all that money and effort on our plans, and look where it got us – nowhere.
- I’m not exactly overjoyed.
- It wasn’t for a lack of effort.
- I think I can speak for all of us that I’m just sick about what happened.
- Frankly, perhaps I’m just chicken to go see what happens if we continue It would be throwing good money after bad.
- We put our best into it, but it seems that it just wasn’t enough.
- Sometimes one just has to call it quits.
- It turned out that it was little, too late.
Entrepreneur folding company