English is not known only if it can form pure sentences. It is only for expressing sentence structure. It is necessary to know which idea should be expressed in words, what is the function or function of which structure and which is useful in which social context or social situation. Knowledge of structure must be used to express ideas. The expression we express through language is called notion or idea in English and the purpose for which we use language is called function of language.
Notions are ideas we express through language and functions are the purposes for which we speak and write.
This subject is not given any importance in the English curriculum in our country, whereas the subject is important and demands a wide discussion, because we learn a language and know how to use it. Language can not be used properly if you have no idea about notions / functions.
For example, someone may know grammar or structure well but do not know what language to use to invite someone. Here are just a few notions / functions for better understanding .
A — Socializing
This means acts of communications by which we establish and maintain relations with other people. Socializing includes, among other things. the following:
1. (a) Introducing oneself
At a party you find yourself standing next to someone you don't know. You feel like introducing yourself to him and this is how you can do it:
You: Excuse me. may I introduce myself to you? My name is Ahmad Hossain. I'm an engineer.
Stranger: How do you do? My name is Rafiqul Islam. I'm a doctor.
We normally say How do you do? when we meet someone for the first time. And the correct way to reply is to repeat the expression and say: How do you do?
(b) You are introducing yourself to another student at the university cafeteria. This is what you say:
You: Hello. I'm Salahuddin. I'm studying English.
Stranger: Hello. I'm Shahabuddin. I'm studying Economics.
You: Which year are you in?
Shahabudin: I'm in my first year.
You: So am I. Where are you from? Shahabudin: I'm from Barisal. Where are you from?
You: I'm from Natore.
In informal situations like this, we say Good morning, Good afternoon. Good evening or simply Hello, or more informally Hi.
After the introduction the rest of the dialogue between the two students is what is called 'small talk': The conversation continues with a polite enquiry about other things.
(c) Introducing two people to each other
You work in a bank. A friend of yours would like to open an account. You want to introduce him to the manager.
You: Good morning. Sir. May I introduce my friend Mr Abdul Hakim to you? He is a journalist.
Manager: Pleased to meet you. Mr Hakim. Which newspaper do you work for?
Hakim: The Bangladesh Observer. Do you take it?
Manager: I'm afraid I don't. I take the Inqilab. You: Mr Hakim has just come back from a trip to Nepal.
Manager: How interesting!
In introducing someone we give the name and job of the person. We often add some bit of interesting information. For instance. in the above introduction Mr Hakim's trip to Nepal has been mentioned.
Here are some other ways of introducing someone:
I would like you to meet Mr...
Meet my friend... (Informal)
Instead of Pleased to meet you, you can say Lam delighted to make your acquaintance.
(d) Greeting someone you know
Hasan is your neighbour, You meet him on your way out.
You: Good morning, Mr Hasan. How are you?
Hasan: I'm fine, thanks. How are you?
You: Very well, thank you.
How are you is not a request for details about your health. So the reply should be very well, thank you: Fine, thanks or Not too bad. You can also use the informal Mustn't grumble/ Can't complain. The informal expressions suggest that things are not too wonderful or too disastrous.
If you really want to ask about someone's health, the question will be something like this:
How are you feeling?
How are you these days?
How are you today?
(e) Giving and responding to good wishes
A colleague is leaving your firm for another job. This is how you can give him good wishes:
All the very best.
The best of luck
I wish you success in your new job.
(f) Saying goodbye
A colleague is going abroad and you are seeing him off at the airport:
You: I look forward to seeing you again. Goodby. Have a good journey.
Colleague: Thank you for everything you have done. Goodby.
B — Expressing emotional attitudes
1. (a) Expressing pleasure/happiness
A friend has called:
You: What's new?
Friend: We have had a baby. It's a boy.
You: How marvellous!
Friend: Thanks.
You: Well. It calls for a celebration in a big way.
Friend: I can't afford a celebration in a big way. But I'm thinking of giving a small party.
You: I look forward to it.
Here are some other ways of expressing pleasure or happiness:
I feel so —
happy.
pleased.
delighted.
thrilled.
That makes me happy.
I feel so —
happy
pleased
delighted
thrilled
(b) Expressing displeasure or anger
A friend of yours borrowed some money from you for a couple of days.
The money is overdue.
You: It's about a week since you borrowed some money from me. You wanted it for a couple of days only.
Friend: I'm sorry. It may be some time before I can pay it back.
You: I can't say I'm pleased. As a matter of fact, I'm upset because I need the money badly.
Here are some other ways of expressing displeasure or anger:
He/I/Yoy got —
so cross.
angry.
annoyed.
It/He — made/makes — me/you —
so angry.
cross.
upset.
furious.
(c) Expressing likes and dislikes
You are at a small party. The hostess offers you, among other things. a lot of sweets. But you push the plate of sweets away. The hostess looks at you. surprised.
Hostess: Why have you pushed the plate of sweets away?
You: I don't like sweets.
Hostess: You don't like them at all?
You: No. I don't..
Hostess: But I like sweets very much.
You: You were complaining of toothache.
Hostess: Yes. but why do you mention that?
You: Sweets are bad for your teeth.
Hostess: Really?
You: Yes. Moreover, they are full of calories and too many calories are bad for sedentary people.
Hostess: Is that why you don't like sweets?
You: No. I just don't like them. That's all.
Hostess: You have set me thinking. I had better cut down on sweets.
Here are some other ways of expressing likes and dislikes:
I love sweets.
I am fond of sweets.
I enjoy sweets.
I dislike sweets.
I hate sweets.
Sweets make me feel sick.
(d) Expressing surprise
It is your wedding anniversary. You have bought a sari for your wife. You: Darling. I have got something for you.
Wife: What is it? You: It's a sari.
Wife (untying the packet): It's beautiful. What a pleasant surprise!
Here are some other ways of expressing surprise:
Good heavens! You don't say!
You must be joking!
Well, that's very surprising.
(e) Expressing worry or fear
It is 10 o'clock. Your younger brother Nasim who went out in the afternoon has not come home yet. Mother: I'm worried sick about Nasim. I wonder why he hasn't come home yet.
You: Don't worry, mother. He has been late before.
Mother: No. he has never been so late before. I'm really frightened. I don't know what to do.
You: Calm down. (Nasim walks in). Here he is.
Mother: I feel so relieved.
Here are some other ways of expressing worry or fear:
The situation is worrying.
The situation worries me.
We are uneasy about the political situation in the country.
I am concerned about my father's health.
I am terrified of living in a big house alone.
C — Expressing moral attitudes
1. (a) Apologizing for unimportant things
You are late for a party.
Host: You're very late. I was wondering if you would show up.
You: I'm sorry. The traffic was terrible. I thought I might not be able to make it.
Host: I'm glad you have made it.
(b) Apologizing for more important things
You have lost a book which you borrowed from a friend.
You: I'm terribly sorry I have lost your book. Someone must have taken it.
Friend: It's all right. Don't let it happen again. You: I think I should buy you a copy of the book.
Friend: Don't bother.
If you simply say: "I'm sorry I have lost your book". It does not sound apologetic enough. So in a situaton like this, you use one of these expressions: "very/ terrribly/ really/dreadfully sorry".
(c) Expressing regret
Your English is poor.
Teacher: You need to improve your English. You: I wish I spoke English well.
Teacher: Never mind. Keep trying.
You: I have been trying with little success. What a pity I can't make any progress!
To express present regret. you use these expressions:
I wish...
what a pity...
I miss everybody.
This is how you express past regret:
Friend: Did you see the English film last night?
You: No. I didn't.
Friend: It was very good.
You: I wish I had seen it.
When you use "wish'' to express present regret. you use past tense in the noun clause: "I wish I spoke"... When you express
past regret, you use past perfect tense: "I wish I had seen it"
Here are some other ways of expressing past regret:
If only I had seen it.
What a pity I did not see it!
I should have seen it.
When I left home. I missed my mother's cooking.
D — Expressing intellectual attitudes
1. (a) Expressing agreement or disagreement You and your friend are watching a drama on television. At an exciting moment the programme is interrupted by commercials.
You: Commercials are a nuisance. aren't they?
Friend: I see what you mean. but don't you think some of the commercials are extremely amusing?
You: Who wants such amusements when you are watching something interesting or exciting? Besides, most commercials are irritating.
Friend: There's a lot in what you say, but you mustn't overlook the interests of the advertisers. They have to sell their products.
You: I'm not saying that commercials should be banned. You can have them. if you like. before and after a programme. but not in the middle of a programme.
Friend: I couldn't agree more.
Expressions of agreement or disagreement:
I couldn't agree more..
I see what you mean.
There's a lot in what you say.
I agree with you entirely.
I disagree.
I couldn't go along with you all the way.
(b) Expressing approval or disapproval
A girl has gone and married a young man without the approval of her parents. Here is a dialogue between her and her mother. Mother: You should be ashamed of what you've done.
Daughter: I don't see why. I love him and I've married him. What's wrong with that? Mother: Why didn't you tell us about it? Don't you think you have any family obligations?
Daughter: I thought you might not approve of the marriage. He comes of a poor family.
Mother: And he doesn't have a job. does he?
Daughter: No. I'm sorry.
Mother: I don't approve of this marriage. Daughter: You're heartless.
Mother: Don't speak to your mother like that.
Expressions of approval or disapproval:
I approve of this.
You have my approval.
We don't approve of this.
Don't speak to your mother like that.
That's not the way to speak to your mother.
(c) Expressing indifference
Your friend is passionately interested in politics, while you are indifferent, and you express your indifference in your conversation with him.
Friend: Some people say that the general election this year has not been fair and impartial. What do you think?
You: I couldn't care less.
Friend: Why is that?
You: Even if it has been fair, what difference is it going to make?
Friend: What do you mean?
You: The election in 1991 was fair and impartial, wasn't it?
Friend: Yes, almost everybody said so.
You: Was the government voted into office in a fair and impartial election able to bring about any qualitative change in the life of the people? If you look around, you will find a dismal pictura everywhere. That's why I don't care which party comes into office or goes out of office. It's all the same to me.
These are the expressions you use in expressing indifference:
I couldn't care less.
I don't care.
It's all the same to me.
(d) Seeking permission
You work in a bank. You want to use the manager's telephone.
You: Sir. I want to make a telephone call to a friend in Dhaka on some urgent business. May I use the telephone?
Manager: Yes, of course. You: I have just talked to my friend. He wants me to go to Dhaka on some personal matter. I wonder if could have three days' casual leave.
Manager: It's all right.
These are the expressions you use in seeking permission:
Formal:
May I...
Could I...
Informal:
I wonder if I could...
Is it all right if....
These are the expressions you use in giving permission:
You may.
Yes, of course.
It's all right.
(e) Expressing obligation or compulsion
A girl is going to a party at a friend's house. Here is a dialogue between her and her mother.
Daughter: Mum. I must rush. It's getting late.
Mother: But you have to ask your father about it.
Daughter: He is sleeping I don't want to disturb him.
Mother: All right. But you must be back by 6 o'clock.
Daughter: Don't worry. If it gets dark. they will drive me home in their car.
Here are some of the ways of expressing obligation or compulsion:
I must...
I have to....
I have got to....
E — Suasion ( getting things done)
1. (a) Making suggestions
You and some of your friends are planning to go on a picnic..
You have not decided on the place yet.
You: Shall we go to Dighapatia in Natore? It's a historical place.
Kamal: We might as well go to Paharpur. It's a more famous place.
Hasan: But it's quite far. How about going to Sonamasjid in Chapal- Nawabgonj? It's really worth-seeing. Near the mosque there is a big pond with trees all around. It is an ideal spot for picnicking.
You: It's a good idea. All: Let's go to Sonamasjid.
These are the expressions used in the dialogue for making suggestions:
Shall we...
We might as well...
How about going to...
Let's go....
Here are some other ways of making suggestions —
Why don't we...
I tell you what: We'll...
I suggest we go to...
(b) Asking for and giving advice
A friend of yours is going abroad for the first time and he is excited, but he is worried too. He has come to see you and ask for advice because you have been abroad before. Friend: My health is so delicate. What am I going to do if I fall ill?
You: You ought to see the doctor you register with under the National Health Service.
Friend: What am I going to do if I lose my passport?
You: You should report the loss immediately to the police. If they can't find it. you ought to write to our High Commission telling them about the loss and asking for another passport.
Friend: My English is poor. What should I do if native speakers can't understand my English and if I can't understand theirs?
You: If I were you. I wouldn't worry about it. When you go abroad. you are forced to pick up the language quickly.
These are the expressions used in the dialogue for seeking and giving advice:
What am I going to do...
What should I do...
If I were you. I would...
You should...
You ought to...
Here are some other ways of seeking and giving advice:
What do you advise me to do...
You could see....
What can I do about...
You had better see...
(c) Requesting others to do somthing
A housewife has run out of sugar. She goes to her next-door neighbour to borrow some.
Mrs Ali: Mrs Hasan. I have run out of sugar. Could you lend me some. Just a cup will do.
Mrs Hasan (smiling) I'm sorry I can't lend you a cup of sugar. What I can do is to give you a cup of sugar.
Mrs Ali (smiling): All right. Give me a cup of sugar. Oh, there's one other thing. My telephone is dead. You are on the telephone. Will you ask the Telephone Exchange to see about it?
Mrs Hasan: Certainly. Mrs All: Thanks a lot.
Mrs Hasan: You're welcome.
In requesting someone to do something the following expressions have been used in the dialogue:
Could you lend me some sugar?
Will you ask the Telephone Exchange to see about it?
Here are some other ways of making requests:
Would you help me lift this box?
Would you mind switching off the fan?
I wonder if you could help me do the washing up?
Would you is more polite than will you and could you is more polite than would you. Would you mind+ing-form and I wonder if you could + base form of verb are formal expressions.
(d) Inviting others to do something
You have received a telephone call from a colleague:
Colleague: Hello. are you free next Friday?
You: Yes, I'm.
Colleague: Would you like to come and have lunch with me?
You: Oh thank you very much. I'd love to.
Here are some other ways of inviting others:
We should be very pleased if you could come and have lunch with us tomorrow evening.
The Managing Director, Agrani Bank, requests the pleasure of your company at a dinner in honour of the Governor, Bangladesh Bank, at 8 p.m on 20th December 2021.
These are formal invitations. If you invite someone informally, you write somethings like this:
If you are free tomorrow evening, why don't you come and have dinner with me?
Here are some more notions/ functions:
Giving directions
A: Excuse me. Could you tell me the way to the post office?
B Yes. Go straight on. Take the first turning on the right. Walk for about two minutes. Then you come to a bridge. Take the second turning on the left after the bridge. About a hundred metres down the road there is a big yellow building. That's the post office.
A: Thank you very much.
B: You are welcome.
A: Excuse me. How do I get to the hospital? B: I'm sorry. I don't know.
A: It's all right. I'll ask somebody else.
Buying things
Shop assistant: Can I help you?
Customer: Yes. I want a pair of shoes.
Shop assistant: What colour?
Black.
Shop assistant: What size?
Customer: Five. I think but would you measure my foot?
Shop assistant: Certainly. Yes, five it is. Now........ how about these?
Customer: Can I try them on?
Shop assistant: Of course.
Customer: They fit perfectly. How much are they?
Shop assistant: Five hundred. please.
Customer: I'll take them all.
Shop assistant: Thank you.
Making telephone calls Hello.
Hena: Hello.
Bina: Hello. May I speak to Mina, please?
Hena: Just a minute... Mina. it's for you.
Mina: Hello.
Bina: Mina, this is Bina. Would you like to go shopping tomorrow?
Mina: Yes. I'd love to. I haven't done any shopping for a long time.
Bina: Good. I'll pick you up at five o'clock. We must get back before dark.
Mina: All right. I'll be ready.
