Ingles

NATO/PfP/MD UNCLASSIFIED

PART V
PHRASES AND EXPRESSIONS USED IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

NATO/PfP/MD UNCLASSIFIED

NATO/PfP/MD UNCLASSIFIED PART V

Page Able or Unable Advice Agreement Apology Approval/Disapproval Certainty Comparison Disagreement Doubt Emphasis Impossibility Improbability Intention and Desire Likes, Dislikes, Preferences Obligation Offers Opinion Moderating a StatementPermission Possibility Probability Suggestion
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ABLE OR UNABLE
I can drive a car. I am able to drive a car. I know how to drive a car. I can’t drive a car. I don’t know how to drive a car. Applicants must be able to use a word processor. Can you speak French? Doyou speak French?

I can or I am able to lend him the money. He is quite incapable of telling a lie. He is quite unable to tell a lie. He cannot tell a lie. He was quite incapable of passing that examination. He was quite unable to pass it. It is quite impossible for me to be in Paris next week. I cannot be in Paris next week. We are not in a position to give any sort of decision yet. He hasbeen ill, and is still not up to or equal to any heavy work. I’m quite hopeless at or I am no good at decorating and practical things. I’m afraid the task proved quite beyond his powers or beyond his capabilities or beyond his abilities. It proved quite beyond him. He simply could not cope with the stresses of family life.

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ADVICEASKING FOR ADVICE I’d like your advice about or I’d appreciate your advice about where to go in Italy. What would you advise me to do in the circumstances? Would you advise me to do as they ask? How would you go about it? What would you do, if you were me? Do you think I ought to sell it to him? What would you recommend in these circumstances?

GIVING ADVICE If you want my advice, I’d say youshould steer well clear of them. Take my advice and don’t rush into anything. My advice would be to have nothing to do with this affair. I would strongly advise you to reconsider this decision. I would advise against any such course of action. It would certainly be advisable to or You would be well advised to get his permission before going any further in this matter. In your place I would or If Iwere you I would clarify the matter with her headmaster first. I think you should send or I think you ought to send it by express post, as time is so important. Why don’t you explain to her exactly what happened? If I were you, I’d go by air to save time.

You’d be as well to think it over carefully before taking any decision. Would you allow me to suggest something? You could go there directlyfrom London. If you ask me, you’d better find another travel agency.
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nt Do be sure you read the small print before you sign anything. Try to avoid a quarrel with him, for my sake. Whatever you do, don’t drink the local brandy. We believe that you would be ill-advised to have any dealings with this firm.

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NATO/PfP/MDUNCLASSIFIED PART V Please believe me when I say it is in your interest to act promptly now. (LESS DIRECTLY) It might be wise or It might be a good thing to go and see your doctor about this. In view of the present situation, it might be better to think it over for a while before acting. I’d be very careful not to commit myself. You might like or You might care to write to him and explain whathappened. There would be something to be said for acting at once. I wonder if it might be as well to wait for another few days? WARNING SOMEONE ABOUT SOMETHING Take care not to spend too much money. Be careful not to believe everything they tell you. Make sure you don’t or Mind you don’t sign anything. I’d think twice about going on holiday with her. It would be sensible to consult someone who knows...