USEFUL EXPRESSIONS FOR DISCUSSIONS FORMAL STANDARD INFORMAL Asking for someone’s opinion - Do you have any opinion on ? - Do you have any particular views on ? - Could I know your reaction to ? - What is your reaction to ? - Would you agree that ? - How/What do you feel about ? - What are your views on ? - What do you think of/about ? - What are your feelings about ? - What’s your opinion on/about ? - What d’you reckon ? - What about ? - How d’you see ? Giving your opinion - As far as I’m concerned - The point I want to make is - I’m convinced that - I’m of the opinion/view that - It’s my opinion/view /feeling/belief that - I hold the view that - It’s quite clear to me that - As I see it - In my opinion/view - (Personally) I believe/feel/think that - It seems to me that - I’d just like to say that - My view is that - The way I see it - To my mind - From where I stand - If you ask me - I reckon - I guess - What I mean is Saying you have no opinion - It is not something I have considered a great deal, I’m afraid. - I can’t say I hold any particular views on the subject. - I don’t hold any particular position on the matter. - I really couldn’t say, I’m afraid. - I really don’t know what to say/think about - I have no strong feelings about - (To tell you the truth), I’m not really interested in - Your guess is as good as mine. - I don’t know. - It makes no odds to me. Avoiding giving an opinion - I don’t feel strongly either way (in actual fact). - I’m afraid I can’t comment on - I don’t have anything to say on - I’d rather not commit myself on - I’m not in a position to say - I’d rather not say anything about - It’s difficult to say. - I’d have to think about it. - No comment, I’m afraid. - Do you think so? - It’s difficult to give an opinion - Well, I don’t know really - Well, now you’re asking - Perhaps. - Could be. - Can’t say, really. - It/That all depends. - Who cares? anything about - I suppose it depends on your point of view. at the moment. Trying to change someone’s opinion - But seen from another angle, one might say - But if we look at it in another light - Of course, an alternative view / opinion would be that - But there are other considerations. For example - Yes, but if we look at the whole picture - (Yes but) do you really think ? - (Yes but) surely you don’t think/believe - On the other hand - (Yes but) isn’t it possible that ? - Another way of looking at it would be (to say) that - Hold on… - No, but look… - Well, think of it this way… - But look at it like this… - You don’t really think….? - You can’t mean that, surely. Transition - As far as…. is concerned,… - To turn to… - Having said that… - To move on to… - Mind you - Now - Anyway Asking if someone agrees - Would you agree that/with…? - I wonder if you would agree. - Would you concur with such a proposal/suggestion? - Wouldn’t you say so? - You’d agree with…wouldn’t you? - Don’t you think so? - Right? - Yeah? - OK? - All right with you? Agreeing - I couldn’t agree more. - I agree entirely. - My own view/opinion. - Absolutely / Precisely. - I don’t think anyone could disagree with… - I take your point. - Indeed. - I can’t help thinking the same. - That’s quite right / true. - Exactly / Definitely. - I absolutely agree. - That’s just what I think. - You’ve got a point there. - I’d go along with you there/with that. - Well, that’s the thing. - This/that’s it. - (Dead) Right. - Too true. - I’m with you there. - Quite. - I take your point. - Sure. Disagreeing - With all due respect, I’d say that… - Well, as a matter of fact I think - I’m not at all sure, actually / in - Oh, surely not! - I don’t see why. - I’m afraid I entirely disagree. - I’m afraid I can’t accept that. - I can’t say that I share that view. - I’m not at all entirely convinced that… - I see things rather differently myself. - Well, actually, I’m not sure I agree with that. fact. - I disagree (entirely) - I can’t agree with… - I can’t help thinking … - That’s not quite the way I see it. - I don’t think that’s right. - But isn’t it more a matter/question of…? - You’ve missed the point completely. - I can’t go along with that. - Oh come off it! - You can’t mean that. - You can’t be serious. - You (must be) joking. - That’s complete rubbish. - Come on! Saying you partly agree - Well, while I agree with you on the whole… - There’s some/a lot of truth in what you say, however/still… - I agree in principle but… - I take/see your point but - Personally, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that. - In spite of what you say, I think perhaps… - I see what you mean but… - To a certain extent, yes but… - I see what you’re getting at but… - That’s all very well, but… - That’s one way of looking at it but… - Yes but on the other hand… - I agree up to a point. - Could be but - Ok but… - Maybe - Perhaps Saying you have reached an agreement - We seem to be in complete agreement. - That seems to be agreed. - (Good) That’s agreed then. - Well, that’s settled, isn’t it? - So we’re agreed then. - That’s it/that then. - Looks like… is Ok/taken care of - Everyone’s happy about… then. Interrupting - I’d just like to add something, if I may. - Could I make a point there? - Before you go on, let me say… - Sorry to interrupt but… - Excuse me can I butt in there? - (Hang on) just a moment. - Now listen to me - Sorry but… Dealing with interruptions - I’m sorry but could you (just) let me finish? - If I could just finish? - Please let me finish. - What I was saying was… - Sorry I was just saying. - No,wait. . USEFUL EXPRESSIONS FOR DISCUSSIONS FORMAL STANDARD INFORMAL Asking for someone’s opinion - Do you