Making positive and negative comments




Learning Objective: At the end of the session, the students are expected to be able to use in dialogues the expressions used in making positive and negative comments which are included in this lesson.


Imagine that you are a manager in a company and a member of your team asks you to look at something she’s prepared. You’ll probably see some things that you like and some things that you don’t like – but what’s the best way to discuss these points? How can you show your team-member that you like some things but not others?





Moving from positive to negative, or from negative to positive


-But actually, / On the other hand, / Then again,

.....it is a little small.

.....I do quite like the colours.


Positive signals

On the positive side...

One of the strengths of this is...

What I like about this is...


... is one of the strengths.

... is really great.

... is a big plus.




Negative signals

On the negative side...

Perhaps a weakness of this is that...

This is one of the things I'm not sure of, because...


...is one of the weaknesses.

...is something you might want to look at again.



Using stress to add balance

Make uncontracted statements:

Then again, it is quite small.


Use do:

But actually, I do like the colours.


Giving qualified praise

For a first project/ In terms of a first project, I think you've done a great job here.