Functions in English for the Cambridge Interview

 

by Viv Quarry (www.vivquarry.com)

 

1.     Giving your opinion

It seems to me that....                                                 I don't really believe that....

I don't really think that....                                           You know what I think? I think that....

I think it's true to say that....                                      The point is that....

I mean, don't you agree that....                                   In my opinion....

I believe that....                                                           I feel that....

I must say that....                                                        I think I'd prefer to.... rather than....

It would be better to.... because....                             I'd rather.... because....

As far as I'm concerned, it's better to....                    The reason why.... is better is that....

 

2.     Agreeing and disagreeing

Yes, that's right!                                                         I don't really agree with you.

That's just what I think too.                                        Yes, I see what you mean, but....

That's a good point.                                                    That's true, but....

 

3.     Showing interest in what someone is saying

What happened then?                                                 What was his/your reaction?

How did you/she feel?                                                            That's amazing!

What did you/he do next?                                          Wow!

What did he say to you?                                             How strange!

What did you say to him?                                          How funny!

 

I see....                                                                         OK....

Yes....                                                                          Oh....

 

Why do you think that?                                              What makes you say that?

I don't quite understand what you mean by....           Can you give me an example to show what you                                                                                 mean?

 

4.     Interrupting

I'm sorry to interrupt but....                                        Er....

Just a minute.                                                             I see what you mean, but....

By the way....                                                              That reminds me....

Could I just say something.                                        yes, but....

I'm sorry but....

 

5.     Giving yourself time to think

Well....                                                                                    ....you know....

you see....                                                                    ....um....

I mean....                                                                     ....er....

Now, it seems to me....                                               kind of

actually...                                                                    the....the....


6.     Asking for and giving directions

Can you tell me the way to....?                                   Could you tell me how to get to....?

Excuse me. Do you know where **** is?                 Do you know how I can get to **** from

 here?

 

When you come out of the ****, turn left.                Go past the **** and then....

Take the first left.                                                       Cross the road and then....

Take the second left.                                                  It's just to the left of ****.

When you reach ****, turn right.                              You'll see **** opposite you.

Go straight on until ****.                                          You can't miss it.

 

7.     Talking about ability and obligation

Will I be able to....?                                                    There's no need to....

Can I....?                                                                      You'll have to....

Will I have to....?                                                        You ought to....

                                                                                    You won't be able to....

You won't have to....                                                   You can't....

 

8.           How would you do this?

I think I'd **** it/them.                                              You could either **** or **** that/those.

It's possible to **** them, but I'd prefer to **** them.

 

9.           Comparisons

Is it easier to **** or to ****?                                   Is ***ing easier than ***ing?

It's easier to **** than it is to **** because....         ***ing is easier than ***ing because....

It's not as easy to **** as it is to **** because....     ***ing isn't as difficult as ***ing because....

 

Asking for advice and ordering a meal

Could you tell me  what **** is?                              I'd like to know what **** is

I'm not sure what **** is.                              I'd like to have **** to start with and *** to follow.

 

10.        Talking about likes and dislikes

Do you enjoy ***ing?                                                            Would you like to **** sth?

Do you like ***(ing)?                                                            Would you prefer to **** or ****?

Do you prefer ***ing or ***ing?

 

Yes, I love (DOING STH) - but I wouldn't like to (DO) it/one now.

Yes, I like (DOING STH) - but I don't feel like (DOING) it/one today.

Normally, I hate (DOING STH) - but I don't mind (DOING + AN EXCEPTION).

I enjoy (DOING STH) - but I wouldn't like to be a (PROFESSION) myself.

 

11.        Hypothesis

When do you think (STH) was/were first invented?

I guess/think that the first (STH) was/were invented in the (eighteen fifties)

If  (STH) hadn't been invented, we'd all have to (DO STH).

 

12.        Talking about the future

What if you're not feeling well?                                If I'm not feeling well, I'll stay in bed.

What if the weather's bad that afternoon?                 If the weather's bad, I'll....

What if there's a public transport strike?                  In that case, I'll....

What if you don't feel like going there?                    I always feel like going there, so I'll go anyway.