English Language Function Reference Book
Speak English naturally and clearly—at every level.
This unique reference book explains how to express hundreds of language functions—the real-life things we do when we communicate, like giving opinions, agreeing, making suggestions, or hypothesising.
Unlike traditional grammar books, this resource shows how each function is expressed from Foundation up to C2 (native-like level). For every function, you’ll find practical, real-life examples at all levels up to the highest one shown.
Why You’ll Find This Book Useful
✅ Helps you speak and write more naturally at any level
✅ Perfect for exams or real-life communication
✅ Easy to use with clear examples and practical phrases
✅ Covers all major language functions from everyday conversation to advanced discussion
Perfect for:
Learners seeking to expand their range beyond focusing solely on exams
Real-life expressions for both speaking and writing
Anyone who wants to sound fluent, natural and confident in English
📋 Complete List of Language Functions
(From your Language Function Book, without page numbers.)
Greetings and saying goodbye
Giving personal information
Identifying people and things
Understanding and giving spellings
Giving and understanding numbers and prices
Expressing likes and dislikes
Expressing preferences
Agreeing and disagreeing
Giving opinions
Asking for opinions
Expressing feelings
Expressing needs and wants
Expressing ability
Expressing intention and plans
Expressing possibility, probability and certainty
Expressing obligation and necessity
Expressing lack of necessity
Asking for clarification
Responding to requests for clarification
Asking for repetition
Responding to requests for repetition
Asking someone to speak more slowly
Responding to someone asking you to speak more slowly
Making requests
Responding to requests
Giving and responding to instructions
Giving directions
Making suggestions
Accepting and rejecting suggestions
Making offers
Accepting and rejecting offers
Apologising
Responding to apologies
Asking for and giving permission
Making invitations
Accepting and refusing invitations
Offering food and drink
Accepting and refusing food and drink
Complimenting and congratulating
Responding to compliments and congratulations
Asking for and giving personal views and feelings about the past
Predicting and expressing certainty and uncertainty about the future
Expressing hopes and wishes
Talking about future plans
Summarising information
Reporting what someone else has said
Linking words and expressions
Giving reasons
Giving examples
Highlighting advantages and disadvantages
Developing and justifying an argument
Expressing cause and effect
Comparing and contrasting
Clarifying and reformulating information
Softening and downplaying propositions
Expressing hypothetical meaning
Paraphrasing complex information
Drawing conclusions
🌟 Examples from the Book
➤ B1 – Giving Opinions
I think travelling is a great way to learn about new cultures.
From my perspective, it’s important to save money for the future.
➤ B2 – Highlighting Advantages and Disadvantages
One advantage of working from home is flexibility, but a disadvantage is feeling isolated.
There are both pros and cons to living in a big city.
➤ C1 – Developing and Justifying an Argument
It is essential to acknowledge that renewable energy can reduce environmental damage.
This argument is substantiated by recent research on climate change impacts.
➤ C2 – Softening & Downplaying Propositions
I wonder if we could consider a different approach.
It might be worth exploring other options before we decide.
The Language Function Workbooks integrate directly with this reference book, giving you practical exercises to reinforce and expand the language functions you’ve learned. They’re the perfect companion to help turn knowledge into confident communication.