Download Effective Phrases for Academic Discussions and Debates and more Slides Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! Useful phrases for discussions 1. Asking about or for an opinion Could you tell me ....? What do you think about/of ....? What’s your opinion about ...? Do you think/feel ....? How do you feel about ....? May I ask you ....? 2. Asking for an explanation Could you explain to me ....? Could someone please tell me ....? Just tell me the reason why ....? I don’t really understand ....? I just don’t see why/what/how .... Are you saying that ....? What do you mean by that? I beg your pardon? I didn’t quite get that. Excuse me, did you say that ....? 3. Giving your opinion In my opinion/view .... If you ask me .... As far as I can see/I’m concerned .... It seems to me that .... I have the/a feeling that .... I think/feel/reckon/believe .... Well, I’d say .... If you want my opinion .... You can take it from me that .... First of all/To start with I’d like to point out ... What we have to decide is .... There can be no doubt that .... It’s a fact that .... Nobody will deny that .... The way/As I see it Everyone knows .... Let me put it this/another way .... Let’s get this clear (first) .... Sorry to interrupt you, but .... The point I’m trying to make is .... Personally (speaking) I think .... I’m absolutely convinced that .... My view/point of view is that .... The way I look at/see it is this What I actually meant was .... 4. Giving an explanation Look, it’s like this: What I mean is .... The reason for this is .... The main problem is .... Just let me explain .... Well, the reason is .... Well, the thing is .... Above all we must keep in mind that .... 2 5. Agreeing with an opinion I (quite) agree. I agree completely/entirely. I couldn’t agree (with you) more. I entirely/completely agree with you on that. That’s true/right. That’s just it. Quite/Exactly/Precisely/Right/Certainly/Definitely. You’re quite/so right. I think so, too. I don’t think so either. That’s just my feeling/opinion. That’s just how I see it/feel about it, too. That’s a very good/important point. You’ve got a good point there. Yes, of course/definitely/absolutely Marvelous. That’s exactly what I mean/say. Yes, that’s obvious. That’s exactly how I see it. That’s what I think How very true. So do I/So am I Yes, indeed. I’m all in favor of what you’ve been saying. 6. Qualified agreement Yes, perhaps, but .... Yes, possibly, although .... Yes, but on the other hand .... Yes, up to a point. I agree up to a certain point, but .... Yes, in a way. Maybe, I suppose so. Well, it depends. I don’t think it’s as simple as that ..... I see what you mean, but I think that’s not the whole story You may be right there. Yes, but there’s also another aspect to consider 7. Polite disagreement I disagree (with you), I’m afraid. No, I really can’t agree, I’m afraid. I don’t quite agree there. I’m not so certain/at all sure if that’s true/correct I’m not (quite) so sure (really). I’m sorry I can’t agree. Do you really think so/believe that? I’m not convinced that .... Well, that’s one way of looking at it, (but) Well, I have my doubts about that You can’t really mean that. You don’t really mean that, do you? I wouldn’t say so. I don’t think so. I don’t think you’re right/that’s right. Surely you don’t mean that? I don’t want to argue with you, but .... I can’t go all the way with you on that point. Are you seriously suggesting that ...? I have my problems with what you’re saying
