Unit 12: Section C - Mood, emotion and attitude
English Language is a means of communication between people. It often expresses the emotion and attitude of the speaker and the speaker often uses it to influence the attitude and behaviour of the hearer.
Emotive emphasis in speech
Interjection.
‘Interjections’ are words whose main or only function is to express emotion. Common English interjection:
Oh /oʊ/ (surprise):
Oh, what a beautiful present.
Ah /ɑ:/ (satisfaction, recognition, recognition):
Ah, that's just what I wanted.
Aha /ə'hɑ:/ (jubilant satisfaction, recognition):
Aha, these books are exactly what I was looking for.
Wow /waʊ/ (great surprise):
Wow, what a fantastic goal!
Yippee /jipi:/ (excitement, delight):
Yippee, this is fun!
Ouch /əʊtʃ/ (pain):
Ouch, my foot!
Ow /əʊ/ (pain):
Ow, that hurt!
Ugh /ug/ (disgust):
Ugh, what a mess.
Ooh /u:/ (pleasure, pain):
Ooh this cream cake is delicious.
Other way of giving emotion emphasis
Exclamation
What a wonderful time we've had!
Emphatic so and such
The whole place was such a mèss!
I am so afraid they'll get lòst.
Repetition (which also denotes degree = extremely)
This house is far, far too expensive.
I agree with every word you've said - every single word.
I think that the lectures are very, very boring.
Stress on the operator
They wìll be nice!
What áre you dòing?
We hàve enjoyed ourselves.
Nuclear stress on other words
I wìsh you'd sée to it.
I'm tèrribly sórry!
Intensifying adverbs and modifiers
Well, that's very nice indeed.
We are utterly powerless.
Emphasis
You can intensify the emotive force of wh-question by adding ever, on earth etc to wh word.
How ever did they escape? (I just can't imagine)
Why on earth didn't you tell me. (How silly of you!)
What the hell does he think he's doing (The idiot!)
Emphatic negative
One can intensify a negative sentence by adding 'at all' after the negative word or in a later position in the sentence.
The doctor found nothing at all the matter with him.
She didn't speak to us at all.
They weren't a bit apologetic.
You have no excuse whatever.
We arrived not a moment too soon.
Fronted negation
Not a penny of the money did he spend.
Never have I seen a crowd of people.
Exclamatory and rhetoric questions
An exclamatory question is yes-no question spoken with an emphatic falling tone, instead of rising tone.
Hasn't she gròwn! (she's grown very very much!)
Wasn't it marvellous còncert!
A rhetoric question is more like forceful statement than an exclamation.
Positive
A positive rhetoric question is like a strong negative statement:
Is this a reason for saving nó one? (Surely that is not a reason)
Negative
A negative rhetoric question is like a strong positive statement.
What difference does it make? (It makes no difference.)
Didn't I tèll you he would forgét? (You know I told you)
Describing emotion
An emotive reaction to something can be expressed by the preposition at, with, about, by:
I was alarmed at his behaviour.
An audience will always laugh at a good joke.
I was furious with him for mission that penalty.
Is she pleased with his present?
As a former champion, he was annoyed about his own failure and resentful of the success of others.
She was very surprised by your resignation from the club.
Sentence adverbials expressing emotion
To my regret, he did not accept our offer.
Surprisingly, no one has objected to the plan.
Amazingly, the dog survived.
Fortunately, we were outside the building when the fire started.
Liking and disliking
Verbs such as like, love, hate and prefer can be followed either by a noun phrase object, by a to infinite clause or by an -ing clause.
She likes/loves/hates parties/ to give parties / giving parties.
Preference
Prefer means like more or like better. The rejected alternative is expressed by a to-phrase or by a clause introduced by rather than.
Most people prefer trains to bus.
They prefer renting a car to have one of their own.
They prefer to rent a car rather than to have one of their own.
Rather than buy a car of their own, they prefer to rent one.
Rather than buying a car of their own, they prefer renting one.
Some other emotions
Hope
I hope to see you soon.
Hopefully, next spring will bring an improvement in the economic situation.
I hope he arrives on time.
I am hoping that they get that letter tomorrow.
Anticipation of pleasure
I am looking forward to receiving your reply.
I know we'll enjoy meeting you again.
Disappointment or regret
I am disappointed that the match has been cancelled.
It's shame/pity that this is the last party.
I'm sorry to hear that you have to leave.
Approval
I approve of the plan. I approve the plan.
I like the new boss.
Disapproval
I don't like the way she dressed.
I don't care for iced tea, actually.
Disapproval can often be expressed more indirect by means question:
Did you have/need to work so late?
Why did you do a thing like that.
Surprise
It's surprising/amazing/ astonishing that so many people come to these meetings.
What a surprise! How amazing!
Concern, worry
I am concerned / worried that our money will be used unnecessarily.
Volition: willingness, wish, intention, insistence
Willingness
Will you lend me those scissors for a minute or two?
Ok, I will.
We tried to warn them about the danger, but no one would listen. (past)
My boss is so greedy, he would do anything for money. (hypothetical)
Wish
I want you to read this newspaper report.
The manager wishes to thank you for your cooperation.
I wish you would listen to me.
Intention
The verbs tend, intend, mean, plan and aim express intention
He intends/plans/aims to arrest them as they leave the building.
The remark was meant/intend to hurt her.
Insistence
He insists on doing everything himself.
We are determined to overcome the problem.
Permission and Obligation
Permission: can, may, etc.
Can we sit down in here? Yes, you can.
May I speak to you for a minute?
Are we allowed to use the swimming pool?
The detainees could leave camp only by permission of the governor (past)
If you were student, you could travel at half price. (Hypothetical)
Obligation or compulsion: must, have to, etc.
You must be back by 2 o'clock.
You'll have to be back 2 o'clock.
I have to sign your name here.
The university requires all students to submit their work by the date.
Beckham had to withdraw from the match because of injury (past)
If you went abroad, you would have to earn your won living. (hypothetical)
Why have you got to work so hard? (question)
We don't have to pay for the digital equipment. (negation)
Other ways of expressing obligation: should, ought to etc.
All students should submit their work by given date.
He needs to practise more.
You'd better be quick or you'll miss the train.
He'd better not make another mistake.
Prohibition
Children may not use the swimming pool.
You must not tell anyone about this letter.
She shouldn't be so impatient.
You oughtn't to waste all the money on smoking.
We'd better not wake the children up.
Influencing people
Command
With aim of getting someone to do something a direct command can be used.
Shut the door.
Follow me.
Just look at this mess.
Don't worry about me
Don't be a fool.
Help yourself!
Don't overdo it!
You must be careful.
Out with it!
This way!
Here!
Command with grammatical subjects
You take thís tray and you take thàt one.
Jack and Susan stand over thère.
Somebody open the this dòor, please.
You mind your own bùsiness!
Will you be quìet!
Weakened Command
Be cǎreful.
Don't forget your wállet.
Plèase hurry ùp.
Thìs way, pléase.
Request
Will you make sure water's hót?
Would you please tell me your phóne number?
Can anyone tell us what the tíme is?
Polite form of request
I wouldn't mind a drìnk, if you have one.
Would you mind starting over agáin?
I wonder if you could put me on your màiling list, please.
I would be very grateful if you would tèlephone me this afternòon.
I would appreciate it if you could...
Would you kindly...?
Advice and suggestion
Advice
You should stay in bed until you start to recover.
If I were you, I’d inform my parents.
You ought to keep your money in a bank account.
I’d advise you to see a doctor.
You’d better take your medicine.
Structure:
S + should/ought to + inf.
If I were you, I’d + inf.
You’d better + inf.
Suggestion
I suggest they take the night train.
You can read these two chapters before tomorrow.
You could lose six to eight pounds, Missy.
Suggestions involving the speaker
I suggest we got to bed early and make an early start tomorrow.
Shall we listen to some music?
Let's not waste time.
Reported command, request
Direct speech: 'Put on your space-suit,' he said.
Indirect speech: He told/ordered/instructed them to put on their space-suit.
Reported prohibition, refusal
They were forbidden to smoke.
They were prohibited from smoking.
Warning, Promises and threats
Warning
Mind (your head)
Look out!
Be careful (of your clothes)
I warn you it's going to be foggy.
If you're not careful, the pan will catch fire.
Promises
I'll let you know tomorrow.
I promise it won't hurt.
Can I borrow your road atlas? I promise to bring it back.
Threats
I'll report you of you do that again.
Don't you dare talk to me like that.
You dare come near me with that silly spray!
Touch me, and I'll tell your mother.
Stop eating those sweets, or I'll take them away.
Reported prohibitions, refusals
Reported Warning
Jim Moore warned parents to keep children away from the area.
They warned us of/about the strike.
Reported promises
He promised / undertook to let me know.
Olly has promised Billy to take him fishing next Sunday.
Threats
She threatened to report me to the police
The manager has threatened that they will lose their jobs.
Friendly Communication
Beginning and end conversation
Hì. Helló.
Good mòrning. Good afternòon. Good èvening.
Farewells
Goodbýe.
Býe. <familiar>
Sèe you. <familiar>
See you at six o'clòck, <familiar>
Introduction
May I introduce Miss Brówn.
This is Gordon Mckèag.
Greeting on introduction
How do you dò? <formal>
Glad to mèet you
Hì <familiar especially AmE>
How are yòu?
Helló. <informal>
Small talk
How are yòu?
How are you getting òn? <familiar>
How's thìngs? <very familiar>
How are you dòing. <familiar>
Beginning and ending letters
Formal official letter
Dear sir,/ Dear Madam
With reference to your letter.....
Yours faithfully
Less formal letter
Dear Dr. Smith / Miss Brown / George,
Thank you for your letter of ......
(With best wishes,)
Yours sincerely <BrE>
Sincerely (yours) <AmE>
Informal letter
Dear George,
...
(Best wishes)
Yours (ever)
More intimate
My dear George / Dearest George
....
Love from
Thanks, apologies, regrets
Thanks
Thànk you (very much). Thanks very mùch.
Thànks.
Responses to thanks
Not at àll.
You are wèlcome.
Thàt's all ríght.
Apologies
(I'm) sǒrry.
(I bèg you) párdon.
Excǔse me.
I am extrèmely sorry.
Responses to apologies
Thàt's all right.
Please don't wórry.
Regret
I'm sorry I couldn't come in to congratulate you.
Good wishes, congratulation condolences
Good wishes
Good luck
Best wishes for your holiday ǁ vacation.
Have a nice day <esp. AmE>
Have a good time at the theatre.
I wish you every success in your new career. <more formal>
Good wishes sent to a third person
Please give my best wishes to Sally.
Please remember me to your father.
Please give my kindest regards to your wife.
Seasonal greetings
Marry Christmas.
Happy New Year.
Happy birthday.
Many happy returns.
Toast
Good health. <formal>
I propose a toast to your good health. <formal>
Cheers! <familiar>
Here's to the future. <familiar>
Your health. <formal>
Here's to your new job. <familiar>
Condolences
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the death of your father. <formal>
I was extremely sorry to hear about your father/that your father has been so ill. <informal>
Congratulations
Well done <familiar> (for a success or achievement)
Congratulations on your engagement.
I was delighted to hear about your success / that you won the competition.
I congratulated The Times on the high quality of its reporting.
May we congratulate you on your recent appointment. <formal.>
Offer
Would you like another couple of slices of túrkey?
Would you like me to mail these létters?
Shall I get you a cháir?
Can I carry your bágs upstairs?
Do you want us to drive you hóme?
Want some sóup?
Yès, pléase.
Nò, thank you.
Invitation
Come in and sit dòwn. <familiar>
Would you like to come with mé?
Vocatives (address)
To get attention or to select your address one can use a vocative such as John, Mr. Johnson, Dr. Smith.
Vocatives can also be used more generally to mark the speaker's relation to the hearer. Nowadays by far most common forms of address are given names (Susan, Peter, etc.).
<familiar> use of vocatives - dad(dy), mum(my), you, guys, (my) dear, darling, honey <AmE>
Sir, madam - vocatives marking respect to a stranger.
Did you order a taxi, madam?
Ladies and gentlemen - <formal> opening of speech
My Lord (to peer, a bishop, a British judge)
Your honor (to an American judge)
Your Excellency (to an ambassador)
Mr. President
Prime Minister
Father (priest)
Doctor (medical doctor)
Sister (nurse)
Excuse me, Pardon me!
What titles of respect can be used to address the following
1. The British Judge - My Lord
2. To an ambassador - Your Excellency
3. To a priest - Father
4. To an American Judge - Your honor.
5. To a peer - My Lord
What do the following utterances express?
(toasts, good wishes, seasonal greetings, etc.)
1. Good luck! (good wishes)
2. Happy new year. (seasonal greetings)
3. Good health. (toasts)
4. Congratulation on your success. (congratulation)
5. I'm sorry. (condolences)
Mention the attitude to truth of the following expression:
1. Don't you dear tell lies. (threat)
2. Mind (your head)! (warning)
3. I'll let you know tomorrow. (promise)
4. That's all right. (response to apologies)
5. Congratulations on your engagement. (congratulation)
Write one example sentence of each of the following: (Board Exam 2075)
a. warning b) threats c) promises d) Jubilant satisfaction
