Spoken English - Saying our preference in conversation

ASKING FOR AND SHOWING PREFERENCE

Indian government prefers negotiation to confrontation
with Pakistan for solving the Kashmir problem.

Discuss -
1) What do we mean by ‘negotiation’ and ‘confrontation’?
2) Why does the Indian government prefer negotiation to
confrontation?

LET’S ROLE PLAY

In a stationery shop


Student : Have you got pens?
Shopkeeper : Would you like a ball pen or a micro tipped
one?
Student : I prefer a micro tipped pen.
Shopkeeper : What colour do you want?
Student : I want green.
Shopkeeper : Here are some green colour pens. You can
choose from them.
Student : (Chooses a pen) How much does this pen cost?
Shopkeeper : Cello pen? This costs Rs.11/-
Student : Here you are.
Shopkeeper : Thank you.


A telephone talk between a VIP and the Principal of a
college. The VIP will be the chief guest for a function in the
college.

VIP : Hello, Good morning, I’m Chandrasekar
speaking from Bangalore.
Principal : Hello, Good morning, Sir. I’m the Principal of CAT
College at Chennai. This is about your stay.
The choice is yours, Sir. Our guest house or a suite
in a hotel.
VIP : I generally find a suite in a hotel more satisfactory.
Principal : We’ll book a suite in the Hotel Alankar.
VIP : That’s very kind of you. I’ll be there on Wednesday
morning by nine.
Principal : We’re looking forward to your visit, Sir.
VIP : Thank you, see you bye.
Principal : Good-bye, Sir.

Formal and neutral situation of English conversation

Expressions for seeking, granting and refusing permission in various situations are given below:

Formal Situations

Seeking permission : Might I have your permission to ……
With your permission I should like to…
Would it be all right if I …………

Granting permission: Permission is granted ……….
We are pleased to permit …..
Refusing permission : I’m afraid we couldn’t allow.
I’m afraid we don’t have the authority.
Informal Situations

Seeking permission : Any chance of borrowing …….
Mind if I borrow ……..
All right if I use …………..

Granting permission : It’s OK / fine / all right
Go ahead.
Of course, you can.
Refusing permission : I’d like to, but I can’t ….
I can’t possibly.
Sorry that’s not on.
No way, I’m afraid

Neutral Situations

Seeking permission : Would it be possible ………..?
I wonder if you could ………
Do you mind if ……….. ?
Granting permission: By all means do ……..
Please don’t hesitate.
Yes, certainly, you can.
Refusing permission : I don’t really think you can.
I’m afraid that’s not possible.
I’m sorry I’m not supposed to allow…..

Example sentence - Asking and showing preferences

The expressions asking for and showing preferences are detailed below:

Neutral Situations

Asking for preferences : 

Would you prefer ……. or ……..?
Which would you prefer …. or ….. ?
Do you like … better than ……?

Showing preferences :

I think I like ……… better.
I would go for ……………
I’d rather have …………. anytime.

Informal Situations

Asking for preferences :

We can …… or …; what do you say?
Do you prefer ……. or ……?
What’s your favourite …….?

Showing preferences : 
I think I like ……..
I would go for ………..
I’d rather have ……. anytime.

Formal Situations

Asking for preferences : 

Do you find … or …. more
enjoyable?
The choice is yours; ….. or ……. ?
Which appeals more ……. or …….?

Showing preferences : 

I have a strong preference for ………
I generally find ….. more satisfactory.
I’d generally choose …… in
preference to ………