Useful Expressions for Group Discussion

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 ....?

-       I don’t really understand ....?

-       I just don’t see why/what/how ....

-       Are you saying that ....?

-       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

1. 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

2. 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

3. Polite disagreement

-       I disagree (with you),

-       I’m afraid. No, I really can’t agree, I’m afraid.

-       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

4. 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

5. 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.