NLP Language Patterns

Question 1

Give a definition of the following language pattern:

Phonological Ambiguity

Answer 1

Homonyms which tend to create mild confusion.

Question 2

Give an example of the following language pattern:

Phonological Ambiguity

Answer 2

• He reddened as he read it
• There’s no “their” in there
• You are the one who has won
• You can be hear / here anytime you wish
• And here today as you hear your unconscious mind

Question 3

Give a definition of the following language pattern:

Punctuational Ambiguity

Answer 3

Connecting two phrases with one word at the end of the first statement and with the first word of the second phrase.

Question 4

Give an example of the following language pattern:

Punctuational Ambiguity

Answer 4

• She has freckles on her butt I like her anyway (run-on sentence)
• I want you to notice your hand me the book (run-on sentence)
• On your arm I see a watch yourself going into trance (run-on sentence)
• “My wife left me … to go to the shops” (improper pause)
• “… good … day” (improper pause)
• “You go into trance… and writing examples of Milton model responses is an interesting exercise” (incomplete sentence)

Question 5

Give a definition of the following language pattern:

Scope Ambiguity

Answer 5

Where the scope of the linguistic content cannot be determined

Question 6

Give an example of the following language pattern:

Scope Ambiguity

Answer 6

• … and speaking to you as a healing master, you must realise that by now …
• Hearing Bob and Joan
• Your deep breathing and trance
• The weight of your hands and feet
• Yesterday I was driving my car with tennis shoes on
• I was riding my horse with blue jeans on

Question 7

Give a definition of the following language pattern:

Syntactic Ambiguity

Answer 7

Where the function of a word cannot be quickly known from the immediate context

Question 8

Give an example of the following language pattern:

Syntactic Ambiguity

Answer 8

• Hurting people can be difficult
• Hypnotizing hypnotists can be tricky
• They are visiting relatives
• I am really over managing managers
• Speaking to you as a child
• Babbling brook / running water / shooting stars

Question 9

Give a definition of the following language pattern:

Analogical Marking

Answer 9

1. Marks a portion of the sentence using nonverbal ques, such as a hand gesture or a louder tone
2. Analog communication is delivering a message, without words (digital).

Question 10

Provide a challenge to the phrase below and indicate the function thereof:

You make me feel like I am not perfect.

Answer 10

1. “How does what __ is doing cause you to __?
2. Recovers choice (Cause-Effect)

Question 11

Give a definition of the following language pattern:

Cause - Effect

Answer 11

1. Where cause for one’s behaviour or a feeling is wrongfully attributed to someone or something other than oneself.
2. Where it is implied or directly stated that one thing causes another.
3. Linguistic markers include: ”makes,” “if … then” “as … then”

Question 12

Name the language pattern illustrated by the phrase below:

You make me feel like I am not perfect.

Answer 12

Cause and Effect

Question 13

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement:

Cause-Effect

Answer 13

• Because …
• As you sit there, then you can feel
• If you sit in this chair, you’ll go into trance
• Because we are here, you are learning many new things
• As you contemplate Milton Model, you can go deeply into trance.
• … and that’s because it’s artfully vague
• Reading this sentence, you get better and better

Question 14

Provide a challenge to the phrase below and indicate the function thereof:

** “She’s more sure.”**

Answer 14

1. “Compared to whom or what?”
2. Recovering the deletion (Comparative Deletion)

Question 15

Give a definition of the following language pattern:

Comparative Deletion

Answer 15

Words which imply a comparison but lack the object on which the comparison is based.

Question 16

Name the language pattern illustrated by the phrase below:

** “She’s more sure.”**

Answer 16

Comparative deletion

Question 17

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement:

Comparative Deletion

Answer 17

• At the very least, understand even more deeply …
• And it is more or less the right thing
• You are feeling more and more curious
• You’re going deeper and deeper
• As you think these higher thoughts

Question 18

Provide a challenge to the phrase below and indicate the function thereof:

When you turn away, you don’t think I’m good enough for you

Answer 18

1. “How does his __ mean he __?” “Have you ever __ someone who you did think was __?”
2. Provides counterexample and recovers deep structure (Complex Equivalence)

Question 19

Give a definition of the following language pattern:

Complex Equivalence

Answer 19

1. Where things – or their meanings – are equated as synonymous.
2. Two experiences are interpreted as being synonymous when they may not be.
3. When a behaviour, etc. is said to mean ___ .

Question 20

Name the language pattern illustrated by the phrase below:

When you turn away, you don’t think I’m good enough for you

Answer 20

Complex equivalence

Question 21

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement:

Complex Equivalence

Answer 21

• That means
• You are relaxing, so you’re in trance
• Being here means that you will change
• Your body relaxes as you let go each breath
• Your relaxed body means that you are in trance now
• Your ability to go into trance enables you to change your behaviour

Question 22

Give a definition of the following language pattern:

Conversational Postulate

Answer 22

A yes/no question to which the listener will respond by actually doing what is implied

Question 23

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement:

Conversational Postulate

Answer 23

• But could you just look up for a moment?
• Can you close the door / pass the salt?
• Can you imagine … ?
• Do you know that you know this already?
• Can you remember to be kind to yourself?
• Would you like … to just sit here … and relax now?

Question 24

Give a definition of the following language pattern:

Double Bind

Answer 24

Statements or questions which engage one’s attention on a consequence which presupposes something else. It creates what Erickson called “an illusion of choice.”

Question 25

Give an example of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Double Bind**

Answer 25

* As you dream, or upon awakening … * Do you want to begin now or later? * Either before, or after, leaving this room … * Will you begin to change now or after this session? * Take all the time you need to finish up in the next five minutes * You can change as quickly or as slowly as you want to now

Question 26

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Embedded Command**

Answer 26

Nesting a command in a sentence so that it is grammatically not a command but is marked out as a command by analog behavior; e.g. “I wonder how soon you will HAVE FUN LEARNING NLP!”

Question 27

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Embedded Quote**

Answer 27

A language pattern whereby a message is delivered as if another person said it (i.e. in quotes), thus distancing the speaker from the message e.g. "Some people might say that that 'you're being selfish'."

Question 27

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Embedded Command**

Answer 27

“*It is possible for you* to instruct a client’s unconscious mind through embedded commands *to get well now*” (through analogue marking)

Question 28

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Extended Quote**

Answer 28

Linguistically chaining a series of contexts which tend to overload one’s conscious attention and dissociate what is being said by the speaker.

Question 30

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Embedded Quote**

Answer 30

“I remember when I first met…He told me…that he met (SOMEONE) who said to him…” Making suggestions through the words of a character in a story

Question 31

Provide a challenge to the phrase below and indicate the function thereof: ## Footnote **You're not good enough unless you are perfect**

Answer 31

1. "Who says ..." 2. Recovers source of belief, belief strategy (Lost Performative)

Question 32

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Lost Performative**

Answer 32

Making a value judgement without stating whose opinion it is and acting as if the statement is true. Value judgements where the performer of the judgment has been deleted

Question 33

Name the language pattern illustrated by the phrase below: ## Footnote **You're not good enough unless you are perfect**

Answer 33

Lost Performative

Question 34

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Lost Performative**

Answer 34

* And it is a good thing to learn … * That’s right * It’s great that you can change * Today is a great day * It’s important to learn * One doesn’t have to

Question 34

Provide a challenge to the phrase below and indicate the function thereof: ## Footnote **He doesn’t think I am good enough**

Answer 34

1. Challenge: “How do you know \_\_\_\_\_\_\_?” 2. Recovers source of information (Mind Read)

Question 35

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Mind Reading**

Answer 35

Claiming to know the internal process (thoughts and feelings) of another without identifying the process or sensory-based data which was used to determine the information.

Question 36

Name the language pattern illustrated by the phrase below: ## Footnote **He doesn’t think I am good enough**

Answer 36

Mind Read

Question 37

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Mind-Reading**

Answer 37

* I know you are learning * I realize / can see you already know * I’m sure you’re aware * I know you are thinking how wonderful trance is * I know that you came here for a purpose * I bet you’re upset about that

Question 38

Provide a challenge to the phrase below and indicate the function thereof: ## Footnote **I must succeed.**

Answer 38

1. "What would happen if you did?" or "What wouldn't happen if you didn't?" 2. Recovers effects and outcomes (MO of Necessity)

Question 39

Provide a challenge to the phrase below and indicate the function thereof: ## Footnote **I can't stay in a relationship**

Answer 39

1. "What prevents you?" or "What would happen if you did?" 2. Recovers cause (MO of Possibility)

Question 40

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Modal Operator**

Answer 40

Words that dictate or imply what is possible and/or necessary in life.

Question 41

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Modal Operator**

Answer 41

* That you can learn to use * You shouldn’t go into trance too quickly, now * You must be getting this now … at some level … * You can change overnight * It’s possible to learn everything easily and quickly * You can begin to get that change now

Question 42

Name the language pattern illustrated by the phrase below: ## Footnote **I must succeed.**

Answer 42

Modal operator of necessity

Question 43

Name the language pattern illustrated by the phrase below: ## Footnote **I can't stay in a relationship**

Answer 43

Modal operator of possibility

Question 44

Name 4 types of modal operators (excluding negative forms and not the Steve Andreas classification)

Answer 44

Modal Operators of: 1. **Necessity**: verbs which presuppose a need or a requirement (should, must, got to, have to, need to) 2. **Possibility**: verbs which presuppose choice or possibility (can/can’t, will/won’t, may/may not, possible/impossible) 3. **Judgement**: “right” “You should be a better \_\_\_\_\_” (lost performative) 4. **Contingency**: “would/wouldn’t” - rules for limits

Question 45

Name 6 types of modal operators (including negative forms)

Answer 45

Modal Operators of: 1. **Necessity**: Should, must, ought to, have to, supposed to 2. **Negative Necessity**: Shouldn’t, mustn’t 3. **Probability**: Could, may, might, had better 4. **Improbability**: Couldn’t, may not, might not 5. **Possibility**: Able to, can, try, will 6. **Impossibility**: Am not, can’t, try not, won’t

Question 46

Name the 4 types of modal operators as described by Steve Andreas

Answer 46

Modal Operators of: 1. Motivation: (i.) Necessity: “should,” “must,” “have to,” etc. and (ii.) Desire: “wish,” “want,” “need,” etc. 2. Options: (i.) Possibility: “can,” “able to,” “capable,” etc. and (ii.) Choice: “choose,” “select,” “decide,” etc.

Question 47

Provide a challenge to the phrase below and indicate the function thereof: ## Footnote **My decisions create limitations in my life**

Answer 47

1. "How are you deciding to limit yourself now?” or “What unlimited possibilities do you want to be deciding upon now?” 2. Recovers process (Nominalisation)

Question 48

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Nominalisation**

Answer 48

A process (stated as a verb) which has been changed to an event (noun) resulting into a static condition - often by adding an -ing to the word

Question 49

Name the language pattern illustrated by the phrase below: ## Footnote **My decisions create limitations in my life**

Answer 49

Nominalisation

Question 50

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Nominalisation**

Answer 50

* In various creative *combinations* to produce new *understandings and abilities* that can stay with you the rest of your life … * As you sit with a *feeling of ease and comfort* * Your *understanding* of hypnosis is growing * This exercise provides you with new *insights* and *understandings* * The improved *communication* in your relationships shows your *learnings* are paying off * Your *demonstrations* are perfect examples that trance works

Question 51

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Pacing current experience**

Answer 51

* As you are sitting here, looking at the letters and reading this … * You hear my voice * We are in this room * And you continue breathing in and out * As you notice each blink of your eyes * You are aware of your thoughts

Question 52

List the language pattens classified as "distracting the conscious mind".

Answer 52

1. Ambiguity (Phonological, Punctuational, Scope ans Syntactic) 2. Double bind 3. Extended quote 4. Selectional restriction violation 5. Spelling words ("... and you S-E-E")

Question 53

Name 5 "accessing unconscious resources" language patterns.

Answer 53

1. Conversational postulate 2. Tag question 3. Embedded commands 4. Embedded questions 5. Utilisation

Question 54

Define "deletions" as a category of language patterns.

Answer 54

Process by which we selectively pay attention to certain dimensions of our experience and exclude others.

Question 55

List the language patterns categorised as deletions.

Answer 55

1. Nominalisations 2. Simple deletions 3. Unspecified verb 4. Unspecified noun 5. Unspecified comparison (comparative deletion) 6. Unspecified referential index

Question 56

Define "distortions" as a category of language patterns.

Answer 56

Process which allows us to make shifts in our experience of sensory data (e.g. fantasy).

Question 57

List the language pattens classified as distortions.

Answer 57

1. Cause-effect 2. Complex equivalence 3. Lost performative 4. Mind Read 5. Pre-supposition 6. Other

Question 58

There are at least 4 types of distortions that are not generally listed / discussed in NLP. List and define / give examples.

Answer 58

1. **Delusional verbal split** (mind and body; thinking and feeling in an emotion) 2. **Emotionalising** (“The world is a sad place.”) 3. **Metaphor and simile** (“Love is a rose” and “Love is like a rose” – “How does this X relate to that Y?”) 4. **Personalizing** (Connecting external events to self-image)

Question 60

List the major groupings according to which the patterns in this file is organised.

Answer 60

1. Deletions 2. Distortions 3. Generalisations, plus 4. Access Unconscious Resources 5. Distract Conscious Mind and 6. Pacing Current Experience

Question 61

Define "generalisations" as a category of language patterns.

Answer 61

Process by which elements/pieces of a person's model become detached from original experience and come to represent entire category of which the experience is an example.

Question 61

List the language patterns categorised as deletions.

Answer 61

1. Lost Performative 2. Modal Operators 3. Universal Quantifiers

Question 62

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Pacing Current Experience**

Answer 62

Truisms about listener’s current experience.

Question 63

Provide a challenge to the phrase below and indicate the function thereof: ## Footnote **Your dress probably wishes you were younger**

Answer 63

1. Present presupposition directly (e.g. “Are you implying she is too old for the style of clothes that she wears?”) and challenge it if appropriate or accept presupposition and challenge deletions and generalisations 2. Recovers presupposition

Question 64

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Presuppositions**

Answer 64

The linguistic equivalent of assumptions. What has to be assumed to be true for a statement to make sense.

Question 65

Name the language pattern illustrated by the phrase below: ## Footnote **Your dress probably wishes you were younger**

Answer 65

Presupposition (specific type - selectional restriction violation)

Question 66

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Presuppositions**

Answer 66

* You have many valuable skills and resources available to you at a moment’s notice … * You are changing all the time * You can do this even better * You’ll be able to learn even more tomorrow * You can easily move in the direction of your dreams * After you pass this class, the next one is easier * You realize you have more resources than ever befor

Question 68

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Selectional Restriction Violation**

Answer 68

It’s about giving things and beings human qualities they can’t by definition possess.

Question 69

Give an example of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Selectional Restriction Violation**

Answer 69

* A butterfly takes its time coming out of the cocoon; it knows there’s no rush. * The tortoise keeps going, knowing it will get there in the end as long as it perseveres.

Question 70

Provide a challenge to the phrase below and indicate the function thereof: ## Footnote **"I'm not sure ..."**

Answer 70

* "About what / whom?" * Recovering the deletion (Simple Deletion)

Question 71

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Simple Deletion**

Answer 71

Important element missing from surface structure including: 1. Unspecified nouns ("Get a life"); 2. Unspecified adjectives ("Must you wear that silly hat") indicating interpretation rather than observation (link to lost performative) and 3. Unspecified / assumed relationships ("I can't have a relationship unless I lose weight"). Cue words: “it”, “that”

Question 72

Name the language pattern illustrated by the phrase below: ## Footnote **"I'm not sure ..."**

Answer 72

Simple deletion

Question 73

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Simple Deletion**

Answer 73

* It is possible … * As you think about it * And know that * It is obviously clear * You are ready to listen * And you can learn comfortably

Question 74

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Tag Question**

Answer 74

1. A question added at the end of a statement to displace resistance. 2. It will usually create an affirmative answer and can also be accompanied by a temporal shift.

Question 75

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Tag Question**

Answer 75

* Haven’t you…? * Isn’t it? * And you can, can you not? * Will you? * Aren’t we? * Don’t you know?

Question 76

Provide a challenge to the phrase below and indicate the function thereof: ## Footnote **I never do it right**

Answer 76

1. "Never?" or "What would happen if you did?" 2. Recovers outcome, effects and counter-examples (Universal Quantifier)

Question 77

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Universal Quantifier**

Answer 77

Nouns, adjectives or adverbs which presuppose total inclusion or exclusion i.e. that are absolute generalisations lacking a referential index, such as: any, always, never, everyone, nobody, every, all, none, etc.

Question 78

Name the language pattern illustrated by the phrase below: ## Footnote **I never do it right**

Answer 78

Universal quantifier

Question 79

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Universal Quantifier**

Answer 79

* All the resources you’ll ever need * There is always more to learn * Everyone here has something to learn * One can never know all there is to know * There is always tomorrow * Nobody’s perfect * Everyone knows it to be true

Question 80

Provide a challenge to the phrase below and indicate the function thereof: ## Footnote **Get a life**

Answer 80

1. What do you mean with life? 2. Recover the deletion (unspecified noun)

Question 81

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Unspecified Noun**

Answer 81

1. Unspecified nouns are nouns (the performer / person / being or thing part) where you don’t know who or what they are specifically talking about. "They said ..." 2. Noun without referential index

Question 82

Name the language pattern illustrated by the phrase below: ## Footnote **Get a life**

Answer 82

Unspecified noun

Question 83

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Unspecified Noun**

Answer 83

* Every person on the planet * The girls in the office * New Zealanders * The neighbours * Elderly drivers wearing hats * People who don’t do as they are told

Question 84

Provide a challenge to the phrase below and indicate the function thereof: ## Footnote **"They aren't sure ..."**

Answer 84

1. "Who specifically?" 2. Recovers who is doing the action (Unspecified Referential Index)

Question 85

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Unspecified Referential Index**

Answer 85

A phrase that deletes who is doing the acting.

Question 86

Name the language pattern illustrated by the phrase below: ## Footnote **"They aren't sure ..."**

Answer 86

Unspecified referential index

Question 87

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Unspecified Referential Index**

Answer 87

* And one can, you know …” * People can * It puts people through changes * That would help you go deeper * One can easily see * There will be people who are important to you

Question 88

Provide a challenge to the phrase below and indicate the function thereof: ## Footnote **I can't learn**

Answer 88

1. How specifically ... ? 2. Recovers process information (Unspecified Verb)

Question 89

Give a definition of the following language pattern: ## Footnote **Unspecified Verb**

Answer 89

Process words which lack a complete description ***Note:*** All verbs are to a greater or lesser degree unspecified.

Question 90

Name the language pattern illustrated by the phrase below: ## Footnote **I can't learn**

Answer 90

Unspecified verb

Question 91

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Unspecified Verb**

Answer 91

* And you can ... * I was wondering if you can * Just let go * And go deeper * As you enjoy doing this * And you may discover how you are improving * As you make sense of this in your own time

Question 92

Give an example of the utilisation of the following language pattern in a statement: ## Footnote **Utilisation**

Answer 92

“I can’t be hypnotized” … “That’s right, you can’t be hypnotized yet”