LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚
Pattern 1
No offense, but... - is used when we want to say something that might sound rude, but we don’t mean to hurt or upset the other person
Examples:
No offense, but this movie is really boring.
No offense, but your handwriting is hard to read.
Formal expression:
I don't mean to...
Examples:
I don’t mean to be late, but traffic was bad.
I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, but I don’t like the food.
Pattern 2
I hate to say this, but...- is used when you need to share bad news or say something unpleasant
Examples:
I hate to say this, but I think we’re lost.
I hate to say this, but we might need to cancel the trip.
Pattern 3
It's not that... but... - used to explain that you don’t completely dislike or reject something, but you have a different opinion or reason
Examples:
It’s not that I don’t enjoy the food, but it’s a bit too spicy for me.
It’s not that I don’t like the plan, but I think it needs more details.
Pattern 4
If I'm being honest... - is used to highlight a unique quality or feature that makes someone or something different from others
Examples:
If I’m being honest, I don’t understand this topic.
If I’m being honest, I feel really tired today.
Pattern 5
With all due respect... - used when you want to politely disagree or share a different opinion, especially in formal or serious situations
Examples:
With all due respect, I don’t think this is the right choice.
With all due respect, I don’t agree with your idea.
LET'S READ! 📖
EXPRESSING OPINIONS
Direction: Read the conversation below. Then, exchange roles with your mentor.
Situation:
Lisa and Mark are discussing their opinions about a new restaurant they tried.
Lisa
Mark
No offense, but I didn’t really like the food.
Lisa
Really? I thought it was okay. Why didn’t you like it?
Mark
It’s not that the food was terrible, but the service was really slow, and it ruined the experience for me.
Lisa
I get that. If I’m being honest, I wasn’t impressed by the dessert either.
Mark
I don’t mean to sound picky, but I think there are better places we could try next time.
Lisa
That’s true. Let’s look for a new spot this weekend.
QUESTIONS
1. What didn’t Mark like about the restaurant?
2. How did Lisa feel about the dessert?
3. What do they plan to do next time?
LET'S PRACTICE! 📝
Part I
Direction: Listen carefully as your mentor reads a statement for each item and select the correct option.
1.
a. If I’m being honest, I’m not a big fan of spicy food.
b. If I'm being honest, I'm not fond of spicy food.
2.
a. I hate to say this, but the food is too salty.
b. I hate to say this, but the food is salty.
3.
a. It's not that I like pizza, but I prefer burgers.
b. It’s not that I don’t like pizza, but I prefer burgers.
4.
a. I don't mean to bother you, but I need a help.
b. I don’t mean to bother you, but I need some help.
5.
a. No offense, but this cake is too sweet for me.
b. No offense, but this cake is too sweat for me.
PART II
Direction: Create a sentence for each pattern below.
1. I don't mean to...
2. I hate to say this, but...
3. If I'm being honest...
Hey, Mark, what did you think of the new restaurant we tried yesterday?