When dividing most common English phrases
into topics, it is wise to know how important it is to learn what a language function is.
Namely, functions in English are phrases used to express a specific purpose.
They are different from phrases based on a topic, because they are much more general, and can be used in any situation
Let me give you the list of most commonly used English functions :
- Asking for and giving opinions
- Explaining and justifying
- Asking for clarifications
- Giving clarifications
- Expressing agreement
- Expressing disagreement
- Interrupting
- Describing people
- Introducing oneself and giving personal info
- Talking about likes and dislikes
- Talking about interests
- Expressing preferences
- Making complaints
- Giving warnings
- Asking for advice
- Giving advice
- Asking for more detailed information
- Making suggestions and responding to suggestions - accepting & declining
- Making plans and
- Making proposals, talking in favour or against a proposal
- Making predictions
- Expressing degrees of certainty and uncertainty
- Asking for descriptions
- Giving descriptions
- Making comparisons
- Making generalizations
- Expressing disappointment
- EFL ESL Invitation phrases
- Small talk phrases
Now, can you see that for each set of phrases based on a topic, one can use a number of appropriate functions in English?
For example, if you learn functions for interruption, and you can successfully use them in any situation.
It is also important to emphasize that when listing functions, it is always wise to list them in an order, according to the level of formality, so that a student can tell which functions are most appropriate in a specific context.
Now, how essential is it for a student to be able to tell the difference between functions and phrases ?
It's not important at all: if a teacher subtly introduces all these useful phrases and functions in English, students needn't know what they are called, but they should be taught to use them appropriately. If they do so, they'll feel much more confident when speaking English and such knowledge can only add up to their fluency.
