Conversation Expressions Flashcards
SPEAKING UP
Could/Can I (just) ... ... say sth here? ... add sth here? ... come in here? ... make a point here?
GIVING AN OPINION
The way I see things ... I tend to think that ... It seems to me that ... It's my feeling/experience that ... In my experience ... --- ADDING INFORMATION On top of that... What's more... And another thing is that ... Not only that, but ... --- EXPRESSING CONTRAST But in fact, ... In reality, ... The fact of the matter is ... But actually ... On the one hand, ...; on the other hand, ... When it comes to ..., however, ...
ASKING FOR AN OPINION
(Person’s name), what’s your opinion of/about/on…?
(Person’s name), what do you think of/about…?
(Person’s name), what’s your feeling about…?
(Person’s name), could we have your input here?
AGREEING
I agree with you. I think you're right. I tend to agree (with you/him, etc). I'm with you on this one. I agree to a certain extent.
AGREEING STRONGLY
Absolutely! Exactly! I quite agree! I totally agree with you! I'm in completely agreement with you. I couldn't agree more.
DISAGREEING
I tend to disagree (with you/him, etc).
I’m afraid I don’t/can’t agree with you there.
I’m sorry, I don’t/can’t agree with you there.
I have to say, I disagree with you on this one.
I’m not sure I agree with you.
I’m not sure about that.
I’m not sure that’s true.
I take a (slightly) different view on this.
I see things from a different perspective.
I don’t know. I tend to think that the opposite is true.
DISAGREEING STRONGLY
I’m sorry but I strongly disagree with you there.
I’m sorry but I just can’t agree with you on that.
LISTENING TO SB’S OPINION
I see/get your point but …
I see/get what you mean but …
I see/get what you’re saying …
I see/get where you’re coming from …
OBS.: GET is more informal than SEE
RESPONDING TO AN INTERESTING REMARK
Yes, that’s true.
That’s very true.
That’s a point.
Good point.
REPEATING
FORMAL
If I could just go back to sth you said/mentioned earlier…
Going back to what you said/mentioned earlier…
Thinking about what you said/mentioned earlier…
As you said/mentioned earlier…
INFORMAL
Uou, back up, please! Are you saying that …
You’re going too fast. Can you back up a little and explain it again?
NOT HEARING
FORMAL (Sorry,) I missed that. (Sorry,) I didn't catch that. (Sorry,) Could you repeat that, please? (Sorry,) Could you say that again, please?
INFORMAL
Sorry, what were you saying?
Sorry, (name), you were saying …
Sorry, (name), you were telling me about …
NOT UNDERSTANDING
FORMAL Could you say that again, please? I'm not sure I understand what you mean by ... Would you mind explaining that again? Could you clarify what you mean by ...?
INFORMAL
Sorry, can you go over that, please?
I’m sorry but I didn’t catch that. Could you say that again, please?
I’m afraid I don’t follow you.
I’m sorry, you’ve lost me.
Sorry, but could you spell out your exact plan for us?
ASKING FOR MORE INFORMATION
FORMAL
Could you say a little bit more about …?
Could you explain … in a bit more detail?
INFORMAL
Why’s that?
Why do you think that is?
I wonder why that is.
MAKING SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND
So, what you’re saying is that … Is that right?
Just to recap. You would like to … Is that right?
So, just to make sure I’ve understood this …
So, just to make sure I’ve got this right …
So, am I right in saying that you …?
Just checking for understanding: what you’re saying is …
BEING MISUNDERSTOOD
That’s not quite what I meant.
I think you’ve misunderstood me.
Perhaps I didn’t explain this very clearly.