Expressing Emotions, Qualities and States

Look at the following photos. Can you describe the action

& Emotion or State

Discussion Questions

What’s one of your happiest memories?

Do you often feel nostalgic? Do you save sentimental items for their memory?

* Do you save old letters, photos, tickets or things from your childhood/youth?

Is there anything you can’t stand?

What’s the most exhausting thing about your work? OR What day of the week do you usually feel most exhausted?

Who do you usually talk to when you’re feeling blue/down?

Do you have any irrational fears?

In Vietnam, are people more open with their emotions, or are they more reserved? Can you think of a very expressive culture? How about a very reserved culture?

If you had spent the day with a badly-behaved child, and his parent asked you, “Did you have a nice time with my son?” What would you say? Have you ever told a “little white lie?”

Everyone feels angry sometimes, but we all react to it differently. -  What’s a negative response to anger? -  How about a positive response?

Do you ever keep things “bottled up”? How long? Why is it better for people to “Talk it out” instead?

What’s the best way of giving constructive criticism? For example: You see a colleague “selling” too strongly

to a customer. He should ease off because customers look annoyed.

“You make me feel upset when you….” “I feel upset when you…” Which is the better way to express your emotions? Why?

Expressing Happiness & Excitement

How many words can you think of to describe

Happiness?

“I’m very p___________ with your sales performance this quarter. Keep up the good work!”

“I’m very PLEASED with your sales performance this quarter. Keep up the good work!”

I heard you’re traveling to France next month. You must be TH___________(very excited).

A) Thanked B) Thankful! c) Thrilled! d) Thrillful

I heard you’re traveling to France next month. You must be THRILLED(very excited).

•  Alternative: “I heard you’re traveling to France next month. How thrilling!”

A: “Wow! I’m DE__________ (glad) to finally meet you. ” B: “I feel the same! It’s wonderful to talk to you in-person, and not just on my computer screen!”

a) Delighted b) Delightful c) Desired d) Desiring

A: “Wow! I’m DELIGHTED to finally meet you. ” B: “I feel the same! It’s wonderful to talk to you in-person, and not just on my computer screen!”

Alternative: “It’s delightful to finally meet you.” “my evening was delightful.”

“Congratulations on your new baby! You must be Overj______________.

a)  Overjoyful

b)  Overjumped

c)  Overjoyed

“Congratulations on your new baby! You must be Overjoyed.

Ex 2: “I was overjoyed when I heard the great news!”

Verbs & Phrases associated with happiness:

To smile =

a) to smirk b) to grin c) to grimace

To smile = to Grin

A: How are you these days? It’s been awhile since we last saw each other. B: Oh, I’ve_____________. I finally got promoted so all of that hard work really paid off!

a)  never been this great

b)  never been better

c)  never had better.

A: How are you these days? It’s been awhile since we last saw each other. B: Oh, I’ve never been better. I finally got promoted so all of that hard work really paid off!

After my boss complimented me on the presentation, I felt ___________. He’s not easy to please, so his approval meant a lot to me.

a)  on top of the world

b)  on top of the mountain

c)  on top of the peak.

After my boss complimented me on the presentation, I felt ON TOP OF THE WORLD. He’s not easy to please, so his approval meant a lot to me.

a)  on top of the world

b)  on top of the mountain

c)  on top of the peak.

Speaking Practice: Can you describe the last time you remember feeling really thrilled/overjoyed/felt on top of the world by something in your life?

Expressing Sadness/bad feelings

If you’re feeling down, what do you usually do for a quick

“pick-me-up”?

How many ways can you describe Sadness?

*are there different kinds of

sadness?

A: “Hi Danny, how’s business going?” B: “Not too good. We have to shut down by next month. It’s just not turning a profit. A: “That’s terrible news! You must be D______________! You worked so hard to open it. B: Actually, I’m a little relieved. I’m ready for something new. a) depressed b) destroyed c) devastated

A: “Hi Danny, how’s business going?” B: “Not too good. We have to shut down by next month. It’s just not turning a profit. A: “That’s terrible news! You must be DEVASTATED! You worked so hard to open it. B: Actually, I’m a little relieved. I’m ready for something new. Alternative:

*The news was devastating to hear.

A: “Hey Tom, are you okay today? Can I make you some tea?” B: “That would be great, Lisa – thank you. I feel just M________________. I’ve had the flu for over a week now, and I just had a terrible meeting with the boss.” a) mysterious b) Mellow c) Miserable

A: “Hey Tom, are you okay today? Can I make you some tea?” B: “That would be great, Lisa – thank you. I feel just MISERABLE. I’ve had the flu for over a week now, and I just had a terrible meeting with the boss.”

Alternative: *The weather was miserably cold. *The last years of his life were a misery.

After failing her English exam, Thao felt too d_____________ (less confident) and hopeless to join the course again.

a) discouraged b) desperate c) distrustful

After failing her English exam, Thao felt too DISCOURAGED (less confident) and hopeless to join the course again.

Alternative: Her colleague’s discouraging words made Emily give up her dream of becoming famous Our company discourages coming into the office when sick. We encourage all sick employees to notify their manager and work from home.

Gray, rainy days always make me feel a little G______ (sad) a) Gentle b) Gloomy c) Grief

Gray, rainy days always make me feel a little GLOOMY (sad)

Chris was h when he heard the news that his grandfather passed away that morning.

a) heartaching b) heartbroken c) heartfelt

Chris was HEARTBROKEN when he heard the news that his grandfather passed away that morning.

to cry =

a) to sob b) to bawl c) to weep

to cry =

a) to sob b) to bawl c) to weep

Trick question: They’re all correct!

A: “Hey, did you ever see the movie, Up? B: “I did, and I cried my ________out when the old lady died.”

a) tears b) soul c) eyes

A: “Hey, did you ever see the movie, Up? B: “I did, and I CRIED MY EYES OUT when the old lady died.”

I worked so hard to ace my exams and get into the best university. So, when I received the news that I wasn’t accepted, my heart _________ a) sink/sank b) fell out c) stopped

I worked so hard to ace my exams and get into the best university. So, when I received the news that I wasn’t accepted, my heart sank *can also say “dropped”

A: “How was your flight, Jen?” B: “Just awful! I had a First Class seat, and requested steak for my meal – but they overcooked it! It was well done and I asked for medium. I’m never flying that airline again! A: “Oh, go cry me a river. Aren’t you overreacting a bit?” What do you think “cry me a river” means?

Expressing Gratitude

There are a lot of ways to say “Thank you” & “You’re Welcome”

Can you name a few?

“Dear Tom, I really a_________ your help at work today. I couldn’t have done it without you!” My sincerest thanks, Sarah”

“Dear Tom, I really APPRECIATE your help at work today. I couldn’t have done it without you!” My sincerest thanks, Sarah”

Alternative: “I am so/very appreciative of your help… “I’d like to express my appreciation for your help…”

I’m so g____________ (thankful) to have a friend like you. Thanks for all of your support.

I’m so GRATEFUL (thankful) to have a friend like you. Thanks for all of your support.

Alternative: “I’d like to express my deepest gratitude for your friendship.

“Thanks for offering to help me move apartments this weekend. You’re so G_____________ (giving+kind).

“Thanks for offering to help me move apartments this weekend. You’re so GENEROUS (adj). (giving+kind).

Alternative: Thank you for your generosity (n).

Thank you for inviting me to to your wedding. I am H___________ (adj) to be here. (present) Thank you for inviting me to your wedding. I would be H__________ (adj) to attend. (in the future).

Alternative: “Honored to accept…”

Thank you for inviting me to to your wedding. I am HONORED to be here. (present) Thank you for inviting me to your wedding. I would be HONORED to attend. (in the future).

Note: If someone thanks you for attending a formal occasion you can say: “I’m honored to be here.” “I’m honored to be invited.” “I’m honored for this opportunity to….”

Speaking Practice: “Congratulations! You’ve won the top sales award this quarter. We’d like to show our appreciation for your hard work by presenting you with this bonus check and a voucher for a 3-night stay at the Intercontinental Nha Trang.” Response:

Expressing Sorrow / Apologizing

Please forgive me…

All is forgiven

It’s water under the bridge

No worries / no sweat

I’m deeply sorry

I regret to inform you

Sorry to hear that..

I am/was in the wrong

It’s my fault ( I should’ve…)

Expressing Anger

After speaking with the bank for over an hour on the phone, the representative hung up on me in the middle of our conversation! I was absolutely f____________ and demanded to speak with her boss when I called back. a) frustrated b) furious c) frantic

After speaking with the bank for over an hour on the phone, the representative hung up on me in the middle of our conversation! I was absolutely FURIOUS and demanded to speak with her boss when I called back.

Someone who won’t stop kicking the back of your airline seat would make me feel… a) Annoying b) Blow up c) Irritated d) disappointed

Someone who won’t stop kicking the back of your airline seat would make me feel… a) Annoying b) Blow up c) Irritated d) disappointed

The young boy only ____________ his older sister more by making fun of her bad haircut.

a) appeased b) aggravated c) aggressived

Aggravated = to make a bad situation/condition worse or more severe.

We can also say “To add fuel to the fire”…

If two colleagues are having a loud argument in the middle of your office, what might someone say to stop the argument immediately? a)  snap out of it!

b)  cut it out!

c)  Get off my back!

Cut it out! = used to ask someone to stop doing something annoying or offensive

Test your Emotional Expression Knowledge

I can't stand it when my boss lectures me about something I already know.

(a) feel bored (b) feel sick to my stomach (c) feel mortified (d) feel annoyed / hate

I can't stand it when my boss lectures me about something I already know.

(a) feel bored (b) feel sick to my stomach (c) feel mortified (d) feel annoyed / hate

I can't wait to hear about your new promotion.

(a) am eager to (b) am late to (c) am indifferent (d) am happy to

I can't wait to hear about your new promotion.

(a) am eager to (b) am late to (c) am indifferent (d) am happy to

I am glad I was able to be there for my friend when her mom died.

(a) to loan money to (b) to offer support in time of need for (c) to visit (d) to travel with

I am glad I was able to be there for my friend when her mom died.

(a) to loan money to (b) to offer support in time of need for (c) to visit (d) to travel with

You seem head over heels for Robert!

(a) angry at (b) impatient with (c) in love with (d) disappointed in

You seem head over heels for Robert!

(a) angry at (b) impatient with (c) in love with (d) disappointed in

I love you bunches!

(a) a little (b) a lot (c) too much (d) less than before

I love you bunches!

(a) a little (b) a lot (c) too much (d) less than before

I wish I could trust you again, but all that you have ever done to me was to let me down.

(a) to make me cry (b) to make me angry (c) to despise me (d) to disappoint me

I wish I could trust you again, but all that you have ever done to me was to let me down.

(a) to make me cry (b) to make me angry (c) to despise me (d) to disappoint me

I apologize from the bottom of my heart.

(a) deeply (b) truly (c) madly (d) abundantly

I apologize from the bottom of my heart.

(a) deeply (b) truly (c) madly (d) abundantly

The truth is that you couldn't care less about me or my feelings.

(a) are careful of (b) are perceptive (c) are inconsiderate (d) are selfish towards

The truth is that you couldn’t care less about me or my feelings.

(a) are careful of (b) are perceptive (c) are inconsiderate (d) are selfish towards

I would like to apologize for what I said to you the other day. I was very insensitive to you. Will you forgive me?

(a) compassionate (b) sympathetic (c) pathetic (d) harsh

I would like to apologize for what I said to you the other day. I was very insensitive to you. Will you forgive me?

(a) compassionate (b) sympathetic (c) pathetic (d) harsh

It's taking a long time for Jenna to get over being betrayed by her sister.

(a) fall back from (b) recover from (c) regret (d) laugh of

It's taking a long time for Jenna to get over being betrayed by her sister.

(a) fall back from (b) recover from (c) regret (d) laugh of