1. Language Functions In English
Assistant Lecturer : Ahmed Najm Abed

2. Introduction
We can describe language by using words to talk about grammar(grammatical description).
But we can also describe language by saying how it is used. This is the function of the
language (functional description) .
For example, “I’m sorry” represents the function of apologizing and, “Good Morning!” represents the function of greeting .

3. Agreeing In English
In English conversations, people often say that they agree or disagree with each other. There are many ways of agreeing or disagreeing and the one you use depends on how strongly you agree or disagree.

4. Agreeing In English Agreeing Partly agreeing Strong agreement .
"I think you're right.""I agree with you."
Strong agreement
"I couldn't agree with you more."“ you're absolutely right.""I agree entirely.""I totally agree."
Partly agreeing
"I agree with you up to a point, but …..
That's true, but….

5. I'm afraid( I can't agree with you).
Disagreeing
  I'm afraid( I don't agree) .
I'm afraid( I disagree)
I'm afraid( I can't agree with you).
I'm afraid( I don't share your
opinion) .
I'm not sure I agree with you.

6. Making Invitation
· Would you like to…? ·         I would very happy if…? ·         We would be delighted if you…? ·         Would you care to..? ·         We would be pleased if you could…

7. How To Give Warning In English
-Don’t you ever buy things in that shop!
-If you take my advice, you won’t ask him for help.
-Wherever you decide to eat, don’t go to that restaurant!
-Beware of tigers!

8. Introducing - Hello. My name is … - Hi. I’m …
-  Nice to meet you. I’m …
 - Pleased to meet you. I’m …
-  It’s a pleasure to see you. I’m…
 - May I introduce myself? I’m…
 - How do you do? My name is…
 - Let me introduce myself. I’m …
 - I’d like to introduce myself. I’m …

9. Apologizing
To apologize is to tell someone that you are sorry for having done something that has caused him inconvenience or unhappiness: Example ,
 I must apologize to peter for my late arrival.

10. Making Apologies I do apologize for …... I must apologize for ……
I apologize for……….
I am so sorry for ……..
Please, forgive me for ……
Excuse me for………..

11. making suggestions
We make suggestions when deciding what to do with our friends, or giving them advice on what they might do in a certain situation.

13. Expressing Regret
Expressing regret means having a feeling of sadness about something that you did or did not do. To express regret in English, you may use many different structures. Here are some of them.
I wish / if only + Past perfect :
I wish I had worked harder. Regret
If only I hadn't eaten so much. Regret

14. Expressing Regret
Form : If + past perfect + would + have + past participle
Function : If I had worked hard, I would have passed the exam. (Regret)
I f I hadn't eaten so much, I wouldn't have been sick. (Regret)

15. asking permission making requests, and so on.
The modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will and would.
The modals are used to do things like talking about ability, making requests, and so on.

16. Ability: CAN
We use can to talk about someone’s skill or general abilities:
*She can speak several languages.
*He can swim like a fish.
*They can’t dance very well.

17. Permission: can We use can to ask for permission to do something:
Can I ask a question, please?
Can we go home now?
*could is more formal and polite than can :
Could I ask a question please?
Could we go home now?

18. Instructions and requests:
We use could you and would you as polite ways of telling or asking someone to do something :
Could you take a message please?
Would you carry this for me please?
Could I have my bill please?
can and will are less polite:
Can you take a message please ?
Will you carry this for me please?

19. Instructions and Requests:
We use ( could you ) and (would you) as polite ways of telling or asking someone to do something :
Could you take a message please ?
Would you carry this for me please ?
Could I have my bill please?
can and will are less polite :
Can you take a message please ?
Will you carry this for me please?

20. suggestions and advice:
We use should to make suggestions and give advice , examples :
You should send an . Advice
We should go by train. Advice
We use could to make suggestions :
We could meet at the weekend. Suggestion
You could eat out tonight Suggestion

21. obligation and necessity- must
We use must to say that it is necessary to do something :
* You must stop at a red light .
* Everyone must bring something to eat .

22. offers : can I , shall I . We use can I … to make an offer :
Can I help you?
Can I do that for you?
We can also use shall I … make an offer :
Shall I help you with that ?
Shall I call you on your mobile?

23. Imperative Sentences- Functions
sentences in the imperative form may perform a variety of different functions :
•Give me that book. (Order)
•Pass the jam. (Request)
•Turn right at the corner. (Instruction)
•Try the smoked salmon. (Suggestion)
•Come round on Sunday. (Invitation)