: Language for Discussion ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION GIVING CLARIFICATION Could you explain what you mean by this, please? Well, what I'm trying to say is that I m not que wh you. What do you mean? I'm sorry but I don t que understand what you I m afraid really all saying Well, what I mean is are trying to say. Well, t point is... mean by this. are getting at. are driving at. I m sorry but I m not clear about... I m afraid I'm not que sure I understand that. follow you. know that you mean. I'm afraid I can't even begin to understand what you are trying to say. ASKING FOR OPINIONS EXPRESSING OPINIONS What do you think about? Personally I think that of Frankly What is you opinion about? on What I think is that of How do you find? It's que clear to me that feel about What are your feelings concerning? I feel views regarding It's obvious that about In my opinion As far as I am concerned Has anybody got any otr ideas concerning? T way I look at views regarding As I see opinions about suggestions I'd just like to point out that say 1
What would you suggest? I'm absolutely convinced that you'll all agree do perfectly certain que confident sure What about? How wh me wn I say that What would you say about? to How does t idea of appeal to you? Would be a good idea if? Will to Will you agree that? Won t Would Wouldn t Do Don t Except for What do you suggest? t above can also be used for: EXPRESSING OPINIONS EXPRESSING SUGGESTIONS INTRODUCING A POINT EXPRESSING AGREEMENT I'm sure that I couldn't agree more. convinced I agree entirely. absolutely certain I fully agree wh what you have just said. your comment. It seems que clear that That's exactly what I was thinking. obvious just what I think. evident what I've been wanting to say. what I've been saying all along. how I feel about t problem. how I see all this. Wouldn't you agree that I'd go along wh that point of view. adm I'll you on that. say you tre. T first problem seems to be I think you have a very interesting point tre. basic point is tre is a lot of truth in that argument. main tre is a lot to be said for that point of view. most important 2
I must say I find that a very I think that is a most convincing argument. pertinent remark. relevant suggestion. interesting comment. line of reasoning. INTRODUCING AN OPPOSITE POINT I take your point but see Possibly, but on t otr hand True, if you look at this from a different point of view Yes, looking at this from anotr point of view EXPRESSING SUGGESTIONS EXPRESSING ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTIONS Don't you think I could? Don't you think I 'd better? you should you Can't I instead? Don't you think would be a good idea to? Couldn't you a sensible an One way out would be to Wouldn't be possible for me to? you I must say I'd ratr him r Wouldn't be better if? us to tm Have you ever thought of? Don't you think would be better if? thought about to considered Why don t I? EXPRESSING TENTATIVE AGREEMENT you That certainly sounds like a good idea. seems 3
Why doesn't? That's certainly a possibily. definely something to consider. something worth consideration. Why not? Let's Let me him EXPRESSING DISAGREEMENT IN A DISCUSSION r Wouldn't be ratr risky to? tm You haven't convinced me that Isn't that out of t question? I thought I would I can't accept that. you could Do you expect me to believe that? No way. What an absurd idea! Can I? Can't you Could Couldn't I don't suppose you would like to? fancy I d better All of t above can be preceded by: You might not agree wh me but may See also ASKING FOR OPINIONS EXPRESSING DOUBT DEALING WITH DOUBTS AND OBJECTIONS I take your point but see I see what you mean but I agree wh you on t whole but Perhaps, but Possibly, Yes, I can assure you that You needn't worry about Look at in anotr way This may seem impossible improbable to you but 4
Oh, but don't you think that? see EXPRESSING DISAGREEMENT That's all very ll but I'm ratr worried about what you said That's true I suppose but... I honestly don't see why I don't think tre is any need to That's an interesting point of view but I 'm not sure I que agree. comment I don't think I'll go along wh you on that. remark I'll go along wh you tre. would be advisable to That's easier said than done. You see I can accept that suggestion. Well, you have a point tre but It's all very ll for you to say that but You see I wouldn't agree. It all sounds que interesting but I don't agree at all. most convincing You can't really mean that. very You don't mean that, do you? You don't seem to realize that Surely you realize that Might not also be true that...? Are you really trying to say that? Isn't just possible that? Can be sure that? You don't seem to understand what I'm driving at. What will happen if? trying to say. Yes, but you don't seem to realize that saying. T above can also be used for: POLITE DISAGREEMENT See Also EXPRESSING INDECISION EXPRESSION INDECISION Oh, I don't know I'm not really sure. T above can also be used for: POLITE DISAGREEMENT I'm afraid that s que out of t question. Yes, but on t otr hand you can't deny that you've got to remember that don't forget that It's not as easy as all that. You see Well, actually to be que honest I'm afraid that. Oh, do you really think so? Most of t above can be preceded by: That's very good idea but 5
MAKING EVERYBODY ACTIVE INTERRUPTING What do you think, Mrs. Davis? By t way Sorry to interrupt but Don't you agree, Miss Pullen? Do That 's all very interesting but I don't know what Mr. Millington thinks but You're very quiet, Mrs. Patterson. Excuse me but that reminds me You haven't said anything so far, Dr Loft. much I'm afraid I've got to interrupt you re. I'm sorry but I have Let's ar what Mrs. Patterson thinks. I'm afraid I ve got something important to tell you. says. I'm sorry but I have has to say. EXPRESSING EXASPERATION at not being listened to BRINGING A DISCUSSION BACK TO THE POINT Why doesn't anybody ever listen to me? Please come to t point Won't take any notice of what I'm saying? T whole point is that Could you stick to t point, please? Perhaps could get back to t main point. That's off t point. Why can't you listen to me for once? That's all very interesting but I don't think 's really won't to t point. I'm afraid that's not t point. you've missed t point. Can leave that and get go back to We seem to be talking at cross-purposes. This isn't very relevant, is? (Taken from Golebiowska, A., 1990. Getting Students to Talk. Cambridge: Prentice Hall, pp.141-152.) 6