6.Positive Response

 

Positive Response Phrases

1.  I'm good at

2.  I'd rather + (verb)

3.  I can't help + (verb-ing)

4.  I feel like + (verb-ing)

5.  I'm looking forward to

6.  I think I should + (verb)

7.  You seem + (adjective)

8.  It looks like + (noun)

9.  It takes + (time) + to + (verb)

 

 

1. I'm good at

 

Again, 'I'm' is used here as 'I am.' 'Good at' informs someone what you excel at and are comfortable doing.

 

Here are some examples:

 

"I'm good at drawing."

"I'm good at video games."

"I'm good at swimming."

 

 

2. I'd rather + (verb)

 

'I'd' is a contraction of the words 'I had' or 'I would.'

 

When using it with the word 'rather' you are suggesting you would like to do or prefer one thing more than another.

 

Here are some examples:

 

"I'd rather talk about this later."

"I'd like to eat at home than go get fast food."

"I'd rather ski than snowboard."

 

3. I can't help + (verb-ing)

 

The word 'can't' is contraction for 'cannot.' Combined with 'help' you are communicating something you are unable to control or having a hard time gaining a grasp for. This can be a physical or mental action.

 

Here are some examples:

 

"I can't help thinking about it."

"I can't help shopping so much."

"I can't help working all the time."

 

4. I feel like + (verb-ing)

 

Here you are expressing to someone something you would enjoy doing.

 

Here are some examples:

 

"I feel like going for a bike ride."

"I feel like going to the beach."

"I feel like having a snack."

 

By adding 'don't' or 'do not' you can change what you are saying to express something you would not enjoy or express a concern about something.

 

Here are some examples:

 

"I don't feel like leaving yet."

"I don't feel like explaining."

"I don't feel like going to bed."

 

5. I'm looking forward to

 

When telling someone that you are 'looking forward to' you are saying that you are waiting or hoping for something, especially with pleasure.

 

Here are some examples:

 

      

6. I think I should + (verb)

 

Here you are telling someone that you feel strongly about doing a particular action. Here are some examples:

 

"I think I should practice my reading."

"I think I should join a study group."

"I think I should handle this as soon as possible."

 

By adding the word 'don't' you have changed what you are conveying from something you are thinking of doing, to something you are against.

 

Here are some examples:

 

"I do not think I should complain so much."

"I do not think I should attend that event."

"I do not think I should borrow more money."

 

7. You seem + (adjective)

 

When stating 'you seem' you're referring to the person you are talking to and expressing that they are giving the impression of or appear to be.

 

Here are some examples:

 

"You seem bored."

"You seem unhappy with the results."

"You seem eager to begin."

 

8. t looks like + (noun)

 

You could be describing how something is similar or appears to be by the way it looks.

 

Here are some examples:

 

"It looks like a balloon."

"It looks like a jellyfish."

"It looks like a banana."

 

You can also use 'it looks like' to describe something that might be in the future.

 

Here are some examples:

 

"It looks like it's going to rain."

"It looks like it's going to be fun."

"It looks like it's going to be a long day."

 

You can also use it to describe something in the present tense.

 

Here are some examples:

 

"It looks like they are leaving."

"It looks like he is waving to us."

"It looks like she is lost."

 

9. It takes + (time) + to + (verb)

 

You are letting someone know how long it will take to do a particular thing.

 

Here are some examples:

 

"It takes one hour to get there."

"It takes forty-five minutes for me to get ready."

"It takes four quarters to complete a football game."

 

 

Practice

Let's practice with the following phrases, Start and end of Conversation phrases.

6.Positive Response

1. I'm good at

"I'm good at driving."

"I'm good at reading."

"I'm good at sports."

"I'm good at writing."

"I'm good at math."

"I'm good at dancing."

"I'm good at chess."

 

2.  I'd rather + (verb)

"I'd rather stay late than come in early tomorrow."

"I'd rather handle the problem myself."

"I had rather go home than stay out too late."

"I had rather listen to my parents or get in trouble."

"I would rather exercise than sit on the couch all day."

"I would rather complete my task early."

"I would rather know the answer."

 

3.  I can't help + (verb-ing)

"I can't help smiling when I see her."

"I can't help eating so much."

"I can't help loving you."

"I can not help biting my nails when I am nervous."

"I can not help smoking when I have been drinking."

"I cannot help feeling so sad."

"I cannot help remembering the things you did."

 

4.  I feel like + (verb-ing)

"I feel like talking."

"I feel like dancing."

"I feel like having friends over to my house."

"I feel like watching TV."

"I do not feel comfortable talking about it."

"I do not feel like we are going in the right direction."

 

5.  I'm looking forward to

"I'm looking forward to spending time with my family."

"I'm looking forward to learning the English language."

"I am looking forward to visiting another country."

"I am looking forward to having a family."

"I am looking forward to graduating from college."

"I am looking forward to watching the baseball game."

"I am looking forward to running in a race."

 

6.  I think I should + (verb)

"I think I should earn my degree."

"I think I should explain myself."

"I do not think I should doubt you."

"I do not think I should decide until later."

 

7.  You seem + (adjective)

"You seem easy to get along with."

"You seem elated to hear the good news."

"You seem deeply in love."

"You seem afraid of roller coasters."

"You seem confused about the rules of the game."

"You seem embarrassed about what happened."

"You seem decisive about your choice."

 

8.  It looks like + (noun)

"It looks like a fish."

"It looks like they are racing."

 

9.  It takes + (time) + to + (verb)

"It takes 7 seconds for my car to go 60 miles per hour."

"It takes all day for us to finish golfing."

"It takes years to learn to play guitar."

"It takes 15 minutes to get to downtown."

"It takes me one hour to cook."