Group Discussion: Useful Expressions
Useful Expressions for Group
Discussion
Introducing the topic
- Today we are here to discuss ....
- The goal of our discussion today is .....
- Topic for the discussion is ....
- The topic given to discuss is .....
Stating
your own opinion
- In
my opinion, …
- Personally
I think that ...
- My
own view of the matter/issue is that ...
- It
seems to me that ...
-
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
....
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 ....?
Asking for an explanation
-
Could you explain to me ....?
-
Could someone please tell me ....?
-
Just tell me the reason why ....?
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I don’t really understand ....?
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I just don’t see why/what/how ....
-
Are you saying that ....?
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What do you mean by that?
-
I beg your pardon?
-
I didn’t quite get that.
-
Excuse me, did you say that ....?
Agreeing
with an opinion
ü Yes,
I agree (absolutely).
ü I
couldn't agree more to what you just said.
ü That
matches exactly my own view.
ü Yes,
that is just how I see it.
ü I
absolutely hold the same view.
ü We
both share the same point of view.
ü I (quite) agree.
ü I agree
completely/entirely.
ü I couldn’t agree
(with you) more.
ü I entirely/completely
agree with you on that.
ü That’s true/right.
ü That’s just it.
ü Quite/Exactly/Precisely/Right/Certainly/Definitely.
ü You’re quite/so
right.
ü I think so, too.
ü I don’t think so
either.
ü That’s just my
feeling/opinion.
ü That’s just how I see
it/feel about it, too.
ü That’s a very
good/important point.
ü You’ve got a good
point there.
ü Yes, of
course/definitely/absolutely
ü Marvelous. That’s
exactly what I mean/say.
ü Yes, that’s obvious.
ü That’s exactly how I
see it.
ü That’s what I think
How very true.
ü So do I/So am I Yes,
indeed.
ü I’m all in favor of
what you’ve been saying.
Partly
agreeing with an opinion
-
I see what you mean, but ...
-
There is certainly some truth in your words, but you fail to notice that ...
-
I don't entirely agree with you.
-
I understand your reasons; however, I see some aspects a bit differently.
Disagreeing
with an opinion
-
I'm afraid I can't accept ...
-
I simply don't agree with you.
-
I fail to see the logic behind any of your arguments.
-
Your arguments are not convincing at all!
-
Excuse me, but I have to contradict you quite strongly here.
-
I couldn't disagree more with what you just said.
Interrupting
-
I'm sorry to interrupt here, but ...
-
Excuse for breaking in here right now, but ...
-
Can I stop you there for a moment?
-
Hold on a second. (informal)
-
Pardon me, but I think this just leads the debate astray.
Focusing/Structuring
-
I think we should focus on the main aspects now.
-
Let's now consider another important aspect of today's debate.
-
I think we have exchanged our opinions on that point now and should move on ...
-
You all highlighted crucial aspects, but have we really discussed ... in-depth?
-
Thank you for your honest/thought-provoking views, but we should also pay
attention to ...
Some
other useful phrases for group discussions
- 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
- 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
- Polite disagreement
-
I disagree (with you),
-
I’m afraid. No, I really can’t agree, I’m afraid.
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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
- Strong disagreement
-
I doubt that very much
-
I think you got that wrong
-
You’re pulling my leg!
-
On the contrary! That doesn’t convince me at all.
-
You’re contradicting yourself.
-
I’ve never heard of such a thing.
-
You’re wrong, you know.
-
You can’t be serious! It’s not like that at all!
-
That’s not correct
-
You’re contradicting yourself
-
You don’t understand.
-
I’m afraid, I don’t think you quite understand.
-
I don’t think so, really! That’s not fair!
-
That’s out of the question I can’t believe that
-
I’m afraid I can’t accept your view, that ....
-
Do you really think that’s a good idea?
-
I’m afraid, I can’t agree with you there
-
Well, you would, wouldn’t you? Really?
-
Don’t be silly/stupid!
-
How stupid can you get?
-
What a silly/stupid thing to say!
-
That’s (simply) not true!
-
I don’t think, you can say ....
-
Surely you’re not serious, are you?
-
I doubt it/that very much
-
You can’t be serious!
-
Oh, come on, think about what you’ve just said!
-
I doubt if ...
-
I’ve got my doubts about that.
-
I don’t agree with you at all.
-
I disagree entirely/completely.
-
Oh, come on, you must be joking/kidding!
-
That’s out of the question
-
That’s not how I see it
-
It’s not as simple as that!
-
That’s no excuse I believe you’re mistaken
-
That doesn’t make sense to me
-
Let’s be sensible about this
-
You’re hopeless/wrong
-
You won’t listen to reason
-
I think you got that wrong
-
I’m not impressed For heaven’s sake!
-
Well that’s one way of looking at it, but
- Making a complaint
-
I can’t quite understand how/why
-
I’ve come to complain about ...
-
I’m disappointed with I’m fed up with ....
-
It really is terrible/ridiculous that
-
I’m sorry I have to say this, but ....
-
Forgive me for mentioning it, but ....
-
That’s what I want to know.
-
Do you realize that ....?
-
Are you aware that ....?
-
I’m disappointed to hear that.
-
What are you going to do about it?
-
Something ought to be done about it.
-
Look, I really must protest about ....
-
Can’t something be done to/about ....
6. Reacting to a complaint
-
I’m (awfully) sorry to hear that
-
Î really must apologize for this.
-
Well, there’s nothing we can do about that,
-
I’m afraid This isn’t my/our fault, you know.
-
What do you expect us/me to do?
-
I’ll find out what has happened
-
I’m sorry you should take it that way.
-
I'll see what I can do.
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