LANGUAGE FUNCTION: EXPRESSING OF FEELINGS

1. EXPRESSING OF FEELINGS
LANGUAGE FUNCTION

2. INTERESTING
Murcia et al. (1995) pointed out an expression of feeling such as
love, happiness, sadness, pleasure, anxiety, anger, pain, relief,
annoyance, surprise, etc.
• It’s fascinating.
• It’s intriguing.
• That’s interesting.
• I couldn’t tear myself away.
• I couldn’t put it down.
• (This phrase is used for en
extremely interesting book)
• I was so into it, I lost track
of time.
• Really?
BORING
• It does nothing for me.
• I was bored to tears.
• I was bored to death.
• I was dying of boredom.
• It’s about as exciting as
watching paint dry.
(= it’s very boring)

3. TIRED
• I’m exhausted.
• I’m dead tired.
• I’m pooped.
• I’m spent.
• I’m beat.
• I’m running on fumes. / I’m
running on empty.
• I can hardly keep my eyes
open.
• I’m off to bed.
• I’m gonna hit the sack.
(Hit the sack = go to bed)
• It’s bedtime for me.
•
EXPRESSING SYMPATHY
• I’m sorry.
• I’m so sorry.
• I’m terribly sorry to hear
about….
• That’s so sad. Don’t let it
worry you.
• I hope things get better
soon. It’s not the end of the
world.
• You have our deepest
sympathy.

4. WORRIES
• I’m scared that…
• I can’t help thinking that…
• (Use this for thoughts that
you try to avoid, but they
keep coming into your
mind)
• It’s been keeping me up at
night. --- (Use this when
you’re so worried about
something that you can’t
sleep)
• What if…?
RELIEF
• Whew!
• Thank goodness!
• What a relief!
• You had me worried for a
moment.
• You have no idea what a
relief it is.
• That’s a huge load off my
mind.

5. EASY
• It’s a piece of cake.
• It’s a cinch.
• It’s a breeze.
• Anyone can do it.
• There’s nothing to it.
DIFFICULT
• It’s hard.
• It’s a bit tricky.
• It’s really tough.
• It’s not a walk in the park.
• It’s very demanding.
• (= it takes a lot of time and
energy)

6. DISAPPOINTMENT
• What a pity!
• What a shame.
• How disappointing.
• That’s too bad.
• Bummer.
• It was a real letdown.
• It didn’t live up to my expectations

7. Recommended Resources
www.espressoenglish.net/english-speaking-courses
www.top-esl.com
http://www.ujaz.feec.vutbr.cz/