Making Plans

Abdul  : Have you read the novel which I lent you?

Hayyi  : Not yet. I am going to read it tonight.

The sentence “I am going to read it tonight.” is used to make a plan. When we are expressing a prior plan (something we intend to do in the future because in the past we have made a plan or decision to do it), we use be going to. In the dialogue, the boy has made a plan that he is going to read the novel tonight.

Although ‘will’ is used to express future time, it is not used to express a prior plan. The uses of ‘will’ are:

1.      To express a prediction

Example: Be careful! You’ll hurt yourself!

2.      To express willingness.

Example:

Nita           : There is a knock at the door.

Talia          : I’ll open it.

Here are some other expressions we can use to make plans.

Making Plans

·         I’m thinking of taking the subject ·         I’m certainly going to… ·         I’m going to… that’s for sure. ·         I’m hoping to… ·         I thought I might… ·         I’m not going to… If I can help it. ·         I’m certainly not going to… ·         I don’t really feel like …. ·         I’m not really planning it.

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Persuading

Ronny      : Sammy, please buy me that DVD.

Sammy     : I think you have had many DVDs at home.

Ronny      : But I haven’t got the film, and it is on sale, please?

Sammy     : How much is it?

Ronny      : Rp 30.000,00

Sammy     : O.K. then. Here is the money.

Ronny      : Thank you.

The sentence, “But I haven’t got the film, and it is on sale, please?” is an expression to persuade someone to do something.

Here are some other expressions you can use to persuade someone to do something.

Persuading

·         Why don’t you…..? ·         I really think you’d do well to… ·         Are you really sure you couldn’t…? ·         Oh, come on! ·         Don’t be like that! ·         Just this once! ·         I really think it would be a pity if we didn’t….. ·         Can’t I persuade you to…? ·         Are you quite sure you won’t consider…?

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Preventing/Asking Someone Not to Do Something

Father      : Look at what I have here. You must explain it to me.

Anton      : I can explain it, Dad. I had lots of work to do that day, so I couldn’t prepare myself well.

Father      : That’s not the point I guess. You should have studied some days before the test, and not just a day before.

Anton      : You mean…

Father      : the point is that you have spent a lot of time in the Internet Café. From now on, stop going there.

Anton      : But….Dad.

Father      : No excuses, please. You are now in the last semester. You must spend your time studying.

Anton      : O.K., Dad

The sentence, “From now on, stop going there.” is used to prevent or to ask someone not to do something.

Here are some other expressions to prevent or to ask someone not to do something.

Preventing/Asking Someone Not to Do Something

·         You mustn’t …! ·         You can’t …! ·         You shouldn’t …! ·         You’re not (really) supposed to … ·         You’d better not … ·         I don’t really think you should …. ·         (For goodness sake) don’t look! ·         Stop! ·         Wait!

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Regretting

Shannia    : Cindar, I’m sorry for all the bad things. I have done to you. I feel really regretful doing them.

Cindar      : It’s OK, Shannia. I have forgiven you since you did them.

Shannia    : Thank you, Cindar. But, do you still consider me as your sister.

Cindar      : Of course, I do.

Shannia    : You are really kind.

Cindar      : Don’t mention it.

The sentence, “I feel really regretful doing them.” is used to express regret. The sentence,” It’s OK, is one of the responses.

Here are some other expressions you can use to express regret.

Regretting	Responding
·         I regret to say that…. ·         Regretfully, I must say …. ·         I’m so sorry for …. ·         How could it happen? If I had (hadn’t) …. I would (wouldn’t) have ….	·         No problem. ·         No worries. ·         Don’t worry about that. I’m OK. ·         I’m happy you said that.

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