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.
NOT KNOWING
I don’t know what to think about this.
I’m in two minds about this.
I’m not sure where I stand on this.
I can see both sides of the argument.
FORGETTING AND REMEMBERING STH IN A CONVERSATION
What was I saying?
I’ve completely forgotten what I was saying.
My mind’s gone blank.
I’m sure there was sth I meant to tell/ask you.
—
I was going to ask you …
I was meaning to ask you …
Oh, and while I think of it …
Oh, yes, now I remember what I was going to ask/tell you …
JOINING TWO PARTS OF THE CONVERSATION
Speaking/talking of …
While we’re on the subject, …
REFUSING AN OFFER OF HELP
(to start a sentence)
OK/It’s all right …
Don’t worry, I’ll be ok.
(to end a sentence) ... but thanks anyway. ... but I appreciate the offer. ... but thanks for the offer. ... but it's very kind of you to offer.
PREPARING TO MAKE A DECISION
You’ve put forward some very good arguments.
You’ve given me a lot to think about.
Now we must weigh up what was said here and make a decision.
The solution depends on what we will find out about this issue.
We have to deal with this issue now.
We need to face up to this problem now and make a decision.
COMPROMISING
Let’s try to find a middle ground.
Why don’t we try to reach a compromise?
Would you be willing to compromise?
TRAIN OF THOUGHT
You interrupted my train of thought—I totally forget what I was talking about!
Please don’t interrupt my train of thought when I’m speaking.
My train of thought is probably not as clear as it should be.
I cannot seem to follow your train of thought on this matter. Will you explain it a little more carefully, please?
INVITING PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION
Shall we go round the table and hear everyone’s opinion?
Let’s ask everyone for their opinions.
What are your thoughts?
What is your take on that?
INTERRUPTING
FORMAL
I’m sorry to interrupt.
INFORMAL
Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to barge in on you.
Please don’t interrupt me! You can’t just barge in like that!
Sorry for cutting you short but we’re running out of time.
BRINGING THE DISCUSSION TO AN END
I’m afraid we’re running out of time.
Would anyone like to add anything before we finish the meeting/discussion?
We’re running out of time.
SUMMARISING
Let’s try to wrap things up.
Let’s go over the main points.
So, to summarise we have decided to focus on …
SCHEDULING A MEETING
Could we schedule a time TO meet (this/next) week?
I’d like to schedule a meeting as soon as possible.
Perhaps we could meet and go over the details in person?
RESCHEDULING A MEETING
Shall we schedule a follow-up call in (ex.: 2 weeks)?
Let’s speak again next week/month.
Is it any good for you?
SUGGESTING TIME/PLACE TO MEET
FORMAL:
Would it be possible FOR us TO meet ON (day) AT (time) (this/next) week?
May I suggest (hour, ex: 7 pm) ON (day) (morning/afternoon)?
Would (time) suit you?
When would you like to meet?
INFORMAL:
Could we meet (this/next) week?
How about (day + part of the day) AT (time)?
How about sometime after (lunch/break/etc)?
What (day/time) do you have in mind?
How would (day) be FOR you?
DISCUSSING THE LENGTH OF THE MEETING
FORMAL:
Should we plan for the whole (morning/afternoon/etc.)?
How long should we plan on meeting for?
INFORMAL:
Let’s meet about (length of time). Does is sound good to you?
Let’s leave the length of the meeting open for now. How does it sound?
ATTENDING A MEETING
FORMAL Yes, that works for me. Yes, that would be fine. Yes, I can manage that. Ok, I'll get the team together for the appointed time.
INFORMAL
(That/It) Sounds good (to me).
That’s fine.
NOT ATTENDING A MEETING
FORMAL
I’m afraid I have another appointment then.
INFORMAL
Sorry, I can’t make it then. How about (another day/time)?
I’m a bit tied up then. How about (another day/time)?
