Apology & Responding to Apologies

Apologizing

I'm sorry for…
Please accept my sincere apology.
I deeply regret that…
Forgive me! I didn't mean it.

Responding to Apologies

That's all right!
Never mind!
Don't worry about it.
Forget about it.

Advice

Asking for Advice

What's your advice for…?
What should I do to…?
What do you advise me to do?
What would you do if you were me?

Giving Advice

I advise you to…
You'd better… / You ought to…
If I were you, I would…
Why don't you…?

Understanding & Clarification

Expressing Lack of Understanding

Sorry, I don't understand you!
I don't see what you mean!
I can't get your idea!
I don't quite follow you!

Asking for Clarification

What do you mean by…?
Could you be more explicit?
Could you clarify, please?
I beg your pardon!

Opinion

Expressing Opinion

In my opinion, …
I think / I believe / I feel that…
From my point of view, …
As far as I am concerned, …
Personally, I think…

Good / Bad News

Expressing Good/Bad News

I'm happy/glad/delighted to tell you that…
I'm afraid I have some bad news…
I'm sorry to inform you that…
Unfortunately, …

Requests

Making a Request

Oh! Dear, I need…
Would you mind…?
I wonder if you could…?
I'd like you to…

Responding to Requests

Accepting:

Sure / Certainly!
Yes, of course!

Refusing:

Sorry!
Of course not!

Complaints

Making a Complaint

I'm a little dissatisfied with…
I just don't know how to say it, but…
I'm afraid I have to make a serious complaint.

Responding to Complaints

Accepting:

Oh! Dear, I'm really sorry about that.
I can't tell you how sorry I am.

Rejecting:

I'm afraid there is nothing we can do about it.
Sorry, we can't do anything about it.

Certainty & Uncertainty

Expressing Certainty

I'm sure / certain…
Definitely / Certainly…
There is no doubt…
It's obvious / evident…

Expressing Uncertainty / Probability

I'm uncertain…
I'm not sure…
I'm doubtful about…
It may be…
It could be…

Communication Functions — Useful Expressions