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UBI 1032 ENGLISH FOR COMMUNICATION 1

UNIT 4: SPEECH ACTS

[STUDENTS COPY]

LANGUAGE FORMS AND FUNCTIONS

Form
Form is the structure of a grammar point and what it looks like.
Function
Function is when and how we use a grammar point.
Functions
To bid farewell
To greet
To introduce
To express hope
To invite
To decline
To express envy
To express preference
To express satisfaction
To express dissatisfaction
To express disappointment
To express relief
To express surprise
To express disgust
To admire
To compliment
To praise
To suggest
To advise
To persuade
To remind
To inform

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Language Forms
Goodbye. Please come again.
See you soon.
Hi, Abu.
Good morning, sir.
Maria, meet my brother, Melvin.
I would like to introduce you to my friend, Mei Lan.
I hope you will do well in the test.
I hope to see her again.
Please come to my house warming party.
Youre invited to my graduation party next Saturday.
Im sorry, Ill be away on that day.
Im afraid I cant attend your party.
I wish I can be as clever as you.
I wish I have the kind of house he has.
I would rather visit the museum than the park.
I like noodles more than rice.
I m glad you could do it.
You have done a good job.
Im not happy with the quality of my essay.
The concert was not up to its mark.
I thought I did well but the marks show otherwise.
Oh my dear, what a let down.
Im so relieved that Im not harmed by the robbers.
Thank goodness, nothing serious had happened.
I cant believe that Im the winner of this contest!
What a surprise!
How disgusting! It looks awful.
Its really horrible.
This is a beautiful handbag.
What a wonderful portrait.
You look handsome today.
You have wonderful children.
You have done a good job.
You have great taste in clothes.
What about going for a movie?
Perhaps we can buy her a present.
You should eat less junk food.
You should see a doctor if you are sick.
Try it. Im sure youll like the muffin.
Please come with me.
Dont forget to turn off the lights.
Remember to eat before taking the medicine.
Johan, the bus leaves at 5.00 p.m.
Mother, Ill be away for a few days.

UBI 1032 ENGLISH FOR COMMUNICATION 1

UNIT 4: SPEECH ACTS

Functions
To announce
To instruct / direct / order
To enquire
To request
To confirm
To ask for opinion
To express dislike
To disagree
To approve

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[STUDENTS COPY]

Language Forms
Next Tuesday is a holiday.
Im getting married next month!
Knock before you enter.
Turn left at the first junction.
What do you think about this issue?
Where do I leave my bag?
Can you pass the salt, please?
Would you mind carrying these books for me?
Yes, Im taking leave next Monday.
Youre right, the bus is delayed.
What do you think of this idea?
Do you agree with her explanation?
I do not like the taste of yogurt.
I hate people who lie.
Youre wrong.
I dont agree with your suggestion.
Thats a good idea.
I like what youve done.

Task 1:
For each of the underlined statements below, identify and state its function in the space provided.
1.

Raj

: Hello, Ali! Nice to see you.

2.

Jaya

: Well, its getting late. Ive got to go now.

3.

Aman

4.

Mei Lin

: Rokiah! Rokiah!

Rokiah

: Oh! Its you, Mei Lin. Do come in.

Amy

: I just cant stand

John

: Yes, I know. You cant stand talkative people.

Atan

Miss Jean

: Oh, course. Sorry.

_______________

7.

Muthu

: Wow! Lina, you look great!

_______________

8.

Student

: How did I do?

Teacher

: You got 60%.

Student

: Only 60%! I expected to do better.

9.

Meng Ki

10.

Child

: Mummy, Im sorry I lied.

_______________

Mummy

: Well, dont do it again next time, alright?

_______________

5.

6.

I wish I hadnt copied your essay. Now the teacher

will never trust me again.

Could you please speak a little slower, please. I

couldnt understand French very well.

Im sure Nancy took the book. I saw her near it

and then, suddenly it wasnt there anymore.

to greet
_______________
_______________

_______________

_______________
_______________

_______________
_______________

UBI 1032 ENGLISH FOR COMMUNICATION 1

UNIT 4: SPEECH ACTS

11.

Yusof

: Would you like me to pick you up on my way?

Amirul

: Thanks. Thatll be nice.

Susie

: So, the meeting is at four, right?

Kumari

: Thats right.

Fiona

: I dont really feel like going.

Alice

: Oh, come on! Were all going. Itll be fun.

14.

Son

15.

Teacher 1

12.

13.

16.

17.

18.

19.

Teacher 2

: How did you do it?

Patient

: Its really boring, lying in bed all day.

Visitor

Father

: What are you thinking of doing after Form Five?

Daughter

Runner

: I just cant go on anymore.

Friend

: Come on! You can make it if you try.

Son

Mother
20.

21.

22.

23.

Mum, I failed my Bahasa Malaysia! I dont know

how it happened. What shall I do now?
Theyve improved considerably. Nowadays, they
: can even write whole paragraphs without making
any mistakes.

Well, youll soon be up and about. Perhaps you

should read some magazines.
Well, if I do well enough, Id like to enrol in the
Stamford College.

Well be camping overnight on the beach in Port

Dickson.
It may be a good idea to bring along a blanket.
:
Dont you think so?

Karim

: What do you think of her, sis?

Kamilah

Frankly, Im disappointed that you should even

: consider marrying such a woman. Shes too
outspoken!

Sheila

: Shall I make a tray of jelly for the party?

Zaiton

: Oh, its so kind of you!

Eng

: Some people are just gifted artistically.

Johan

: Yes, like you for instance.

Mansor

Samy

: Poor you! Headaches are very awful.

24.

Tommy

25.

Teacher

[STUDENTS COPY]

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Ive such a headache but theres this assignment

to be completed. The due date is tomorrow!

Imran, I could hardly believe my ears when I heard

: of your marriage. I thought youre a confirmed
bachelor!
Dont forget to read the instructions carefully so
: that you wont give answers that are out of point
and keep calm.

_______________
_______________

_______________

UBI 1032 ENGLISH FOR COMMUNICATION 1

UNIT 4: SPEECH ACTS

[STUDENTS COPY]

Task 2:
Write the appropriate response to the following statements using the functions provided.
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

Ann

: Is that a new dress youre wearing?

Janet

: Yes. What do you think of it?

Ann

: ________________________________________

Jason

Moorthi

: ________________________________________

Asraf

: You look lovely today, Lilian.

Lilian

: ________________________________________

Son

: Mum, can I go to the playground with my friends?

Mother

: ________________________________________

Student

: Thats my art teacher over there.

Father

: Oh, Id like to meet him. Do introduce us.

Student

: ________________________________________

Jeya

: Do have another helping of the cake, Azizah.

Azizah

: ________________________________________

Father

Daughter

: ________________________________________

Aina

: Oh! Ive lost my purse! Ive no money!

Shikin

: Dont worry, Ill pay for your food.

Aina

: ________________________________________

Aunt

Suresh

: ________________________________________

Old man

Sham

: ________________________________________

Aishah

: Im sorry. Ive lost your book.

Sister

: ________________________________________

Khalid

: How did you do for the listening test?

James

: ________________________________________

to compliment

Im thinking of taking part in the drawing

competition.
to encourage

to compliment

to allow

to introduce

to decline

Well, what did you do with the money that Uncle

Lim gave you for New Year?
to explain

to express gratitude

Well, Suresh, I hope you enjoyed your holiday with

us.
to express
appreciation

Could you tell me the way to the Post Office,

please?
to direct

to express regret

to express satisfaction

UBI 1032 ENGLISH FOR COMMUNICATION 1

UNIT 4: SPEECH ACTS

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

Man

: ________________________________________

Lady

: No, thanks.

Jamal

Kamal

: ________________________________________

Customer

: Oh, this dress is too expensive!

Salesgirl

: ________________________________________

Mother

Kim Seng

: ________________________________________

Harry

: Puan Sitis the most efficient clerk.

Tony

: ________________________________________

Lily

Jamaliah

: ________________________________________

Student

Mr Chan

: ________________________________________

Roziah

: Please forgive me for being late. I missed the bus.

Sara

: ________________________________________

Suspect

: I was at home all night watching television.

Detective

: ________________________________________

Suspect

: No, I was alone.

Student

: ________________________________________

Teacher

: Yes?

Student

: ________________________________________

Teacher

Student

: Alright. Well, excuse me, then.

Taufik

: Ouch! You stepped on my toe again.

Gary

: ________________________________________

Pak Daud

: So, what do you think of Malaysians, Michael?

Michael

: ________________________________________

Faris

: Did you take my file on the science project?

Maria

: ________________________________________

[STUDENTS COPY]

to offer

I just cant seem to be able to concentrate

whenever I try to study. I fall asleep by ten oclock.
to advise

to persuade

This piece of cake is for you, Kam Seng. And this

piece is yours, Kim Seng.
to express
dissatisfaction

to agree

Close your eyes and hold out your hands. (puts a

present in her held out hands) Happy Birthday!
to express surprise

Sir, I wont be able to attend school tomorrow. My

grandfather passed away this evening.

________________________________________
Come at ten if youre free then.

to express sympathy

to forgive

to enquire / ask

to interrupt

to request
to explain / reject

to apologise

to praise

to deny

UBI 1032 ENGLISH FOR COMMUNICATION 1

UNIT 4: SPEECH ACTS

[STUDENTS COPY]