Language Forms and Functions

Language Forms and Functions

by Ms Charmyne E. R.

​A language function refers to what students do with language as they engage with content and interact with others. Functions represent the active use of language for a specific purpose.

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Students use language functions in order to express ideas, communicate with others, and show understanding of content in an academic setting.

​In oral language some common functions may include:

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• giving instructions

• making requests

• defending an argument

​In academic writing we use a range of specific functions in order to communicate ideas clearly.

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These include:

• describing processes

• comparing or contrasting things or ideas

• classifying objects or ideas

Multiple Choice

Hello, Ali ! Nice to meet you.

• to introduce

• to inform

• to compliment

• to greet

Multiple Choice

Muiz : Wow ! You're looking good !

• to compliment

• to congratulate

• to explain

• to inform

Multiple Choice

Ahmad : I'm sorry I'm late for the meeting.

Lily : It's all right.

• To wish

• To inform

• To welcome

• To forgive

Multiple Choice

Mrs. Tan : Like me to pick you up on my way ?

Miss Lee : Thanks. That'll be nice.

• to compliment

• to offer

• to accept

• to confirm

Multiple Choice

Lily : Lehman fell while climbing up the rambutan tree.

Rose : I shouldn't have asked him to pluck the rambutans.

• To complain

• To regret

• To apologize

• To advise

Multiple Choice

Mani : Ali are you free this evening ?

Ali : Yes.

Mani : ____________ ( To invite )

• How about giving me a treat?

• Would you like to come over to my house?

• Please invite me

• Have you received my invitation letter ?

Multiple Choice

James : May I borrow your bicycle ?

Lee : ____________ ( To decline )

• Can you wait a while ?

• I have lost my bicycle.

• I'm sorry I can't lend it to you.

• I don't have a bicycle

Multiple Choice

Cheong : I'm sorry I'm late for class.

Teacher : I'll excuse you this time. ____________ ( To warn )

• Could you try not to be late next time.

• Try to be punctual in future.

• Come earlier next time

• You'll not be excused next time.

Multiple Choice

Tina: Thanks for the lovely party

Pam:________ (To take leave) or I'll miss the last bus home.

• Please take me home.

• Just leave me alone!

• I'll have to go now

• May l stay longer?

Multiple Choice

Pam: In that case, I won't stop you.

Karl: __________ (To thank) I’ll see you in school on Monday.

• Thank goodness you're leaving!

• Thank your parents for calling me.

• You’d better go.

• Thanks for coming.

Multiple Choice

Mr. Wee : How are you going home, Tina?

Tina : By bus.

Mr. Wee : ______ (To express concern)

• Are you sure you'll be okay?

• You are a silly girl!

• Why don't you phone for a taxi?

• Tell your parents to fetch you.

Multiple Choice

Tina : I'll be fine’, don't worry. ______(To wish) Thanks for inviting me over.

Mr. Wee: Good night.

• Farewell, Mr Wee.

• I want to wish you, Mr Wee.

• I wish you’d take me home now.

• Good night, Mr Wee.

Multiple Choice

Mr. Wee: Good night. __________(5. To remind)

• Remember to call us when you are home, Tina.

• Thank you for coming, Tina

• Congratulation, Tina

• Sweet dream, Tina

Multiple Choice

Rayon: Excuse me, can you show me the way to ABC Bank, please?

Man: Well sir,___ (To direct)

• go straight and take a taxi.

• go straight up to the traffic lights. Turn left, it is the first building.

• ABC Bank is in Jalan Tunku Putra.

• go straight you won't see a traffic lights.

Multiple Choice

I’d like to take up badminton as a hobby. Could you teach me?

• agree on

• learn

• accept

• suggest

Multiple Choice

Chor Boon: Hello, Larry, ____ (To enquire)

Larry: I'm going to the bus station to receive my cousin.

• How are you?

• Where do you come from?

• Where are you going?

• How are you going?

Multiple Choice

Deva: Excuse me, is this the way to railway station?

Man: ____ (To deny)

• Yes, this is the way to bus station.

• No, this way isn't to bus station.

• No, this is not the way to railway station.

• Yes, this is the way to the railway station.

Multiple Choice

Karan : Hi! John, I'm leaving for Singapore tonight.

Jon: Well John,____ (To offer)

• I'll see you next year in Singapore.

• I'll send you to the airport tonight.

• I'll see you in the airport tonight.

• I'll send my regards to you.

Multiple Choice

Kevin: Happy birthday to you, Jason.

Jason: Thank you. Do come in. I'm glad you are here.

• To wish

• To inform

• To welcome

• To remind

Multiple Choice

Jenny : Hello, Derrick. You looked worried. Can I help you?

Derrick: Could you help me solve this Maths problem?

• To question

• To inform

• To request

• To describe

Multiple Choice

Kenneth : Are we going to the party now?

Susan : Yes. Don't forget to bring the present.

• To order

• To instruct

• To remind

• To inform

Multiple Choice

May Ling: Sara, let's join the art club.

Sara: No, I will not join the club.

• To complain

• To refuse

• To inform

• To regret

Multiple Choice

Mosses: Rajan met with an accident yesterday, so he won't b for the exam.

Margaret: _________ (To express concern)

• Was he seriously injured?.

• It is not happy news

• Once again.

• It won't be true.

Multiple Choice

Daughter: Dad, I want to try for the national junior swimming team this year.

Father: _______ (To encourage)

• It is waste of time.

• I advise you to study hard.

• You are very ambitious

• Go for it.

Multiple Choice

Jennet : Jason, your health is more important than wealth.

Jason: ________ (To disagree)

• Money is important.

• Are you sure?

• I prefer health to wealth.

• So I do.

Multiple Choice

Jie Hao : Chinese New Year is around the corner. Why don't we buy some firecrackers?

Qin Kai :______ (To discourage)

• Go ahead.

• A.It has a lot of fun.

• A.It is very important.

• We can use that money for charity.

Multiple Choice

Teacher : Who are the pupils on duty to clean the classroom today? ________ (To complain)

• Do you want me to remind you?

• The floor has not been mopped.

• The classroom is very clean.

• Do it right now.

Multiple Choice

Benny : May I help you to carry your things?

Julie: _______ (To express appreciation)

• I don't think so.

• Never mind.

• That's okay.

• That's very kind of you.

Multiple Choice

Louis : Are you going to join St. John Ambulance society today?

David : I will think about it.

Louis :__________ (To compel)

• Why do you want to think?

• You are compelled to do.

• Please act fast!

• You can join another club.

Multiple Choice

Ben : I am going to join the Karate club.

Bob: ___________ (To discourage)

• You have the right to do.

• I would join if I were you.

• I wouldn't join it if I were you.

• I'm afraid I can't join.

Multiple Choice

Mother : Who broke the plate?

Son: ________ (To confess)

• Shirley broke the plate.

• I didn't break it.

• I don't know.

• I'm the one.

Multiple Choice

Robber: Give me all your money or else

______________ (To threaten)

• I'll run away.

• I'll shoot you.

• I'll save you.

• I'll drive you

Multiple Choice

Teacher: We are going to take disciplinary action against you.

Jeremy: ________ (To plead)

• Teacher, you are always picking me.

• Teacher, you are helping me.

• Teacher, please give me a chance.

• Teacher, take action as you like.

Multiple Choice

Linda : Mother, my teachers are also very pleased with my results.

Mother: ________(To compliment)

• You must work hard to get that result.

• You should call your friends and tell this news.

• You must do well in the UEC examination.

• You deserve it since you have studied hard.

Multiple Choice

New Student: Excuse me. Could you show me the way to the principal's room?

Su Ling:_____ (To direct)

• Follow that student.

• Can you follow me later?

• Can you see the arrow mark?

• Go straight and turn to your left.

Multiple Choice

George: We are going to Singapore tomorrow.

Son : _______ (To express delight)

• That's really great!

• Are we going by train?

• Thank you, Dad.

• I would like to go to Genting Highlands.

Multiple Choice

Johnny: Can I go to the `Funfair' with Aunt Liza, Mum?

Mother: ______ (To allow)

• Do you think you can go?

• If you promise to be good.

• Funfair? Of course not.

• Do you like to go?

Multiple Choice

Shelly: I don't think I can climb anymore.

Jennet: ________ (To encourage)

• You can stay here.

• Shall I carry you?

• Come on, you can make it.

• Take a rest and continue.

Multiple Choice

Mohan: I'm afraid I've let our school team down.

Thina: _______ (To console)

• You have indeed let the team down.

• Don't worry. Cheer up.

• You shouldn't have done that.

• You don't play.

Multiple Choice

Charles: Danny, are you going to the bookshop?

Danny: Yes.

Charles: _______ (To request)

• Can I buy you something?

• The shop is closed.

• Can you buy me a dictionary?

• The shop is not open yet.