Useful phrases for Group discussions: 1 Asking about or for an opinion Could you tell me....? What do you think aboutiof What's your opinion about...? Do you think/teel....? How do you feel about....? May | ask you... 2. Asking for an explanation Could you explain to me...? Gould someone please tell me....? Just tell me the reason why....? | don't really understand. just don't see why/what/how. Are you saying that...” What do you mean by that? | bea your pardon? | didn't quite get that. Excuse me, did you say that...? iving your opinion In my opinioniview. Ifyou ask me... AS tar as | can see//m concerned. It seems tome that. Ihave the/a feeling that I think/feeVreckonibelieve... Well, 'd say... It you want my opinion... You can take it from me that, First of all To start with I'd Uke to point out What we have to decive 's. There can be no coubt that... Ws a fect that, Nobody will deny that... The way/As I see it Everyone knows... Let me put it this/another way.. Let's gat this clear (frst). Sorry to interrupt you, but. The point I'm trying to make Is. Personally (speaking) | think. I'm absolutely convinced that. My view/point of view is that.. The way | 100k al/see iis this What | actually meant was... 4, Giving an explanation Look, its like this: What | 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. 5. Agreeing with an opinion | (qutte) agree. | agree completely/entiely. | couldn't agree (with you) more, | entirely/completely agree with you on that. That's true/right That's ust it. Quite/Exactly Precisaly/RightCertainly/Detinitely. ‘You're quite/so right. I think s0, too, I don't think so either. That's just my feeling/opinion. That's just how | see it'fee! about it, to0. That's a very good/important paint, ‘You've got a good point there. Yes, of course/detinitely/absolutely Marvelous. That's exactly what | mean'say. Yes, that's obvious. That's exactly how I see it. That's what | think How very true So do VSo am | Yes, indeed. I'm all in favor of what you've been saying. 6. Qualified agreement Yes, pethaps, but. Yes, possibly, although Yeo, but on the other hand... Yes, upto a point | agree up to a certain point, but. Yes, in away Maybe, | suppose 20. Well itdepends. | don't think i's as simple as that | see what you mean, but | think that’s not the whole story ‘You may be right there. Yes, but there's also ancther aspect to consider.© Let’s study different expressions used in a typical discussion To initiate discussion To give opinion To offfer/make suggestion To agree/disagree a) Letusstartour | a) [believe @) How about...? | a) Tagree with you/him discussion b) I think b) Itmight also be ae b) We need to decide sas better if... b) really think so Gi see c) Tsuppose..... |) Don’t youthink it | c) Thatis right. ¢) Let's talk/discuss | 4) In my opinion, isa good ideato | d)_ Yes of course ! about ..... so ‘ ¢) tis true. d) would tostart the | © From my d) Wemight as well, | £ Idon't agree. Giscussion by perspective, a0 g) [take a different saying tk, ) From my point | e) What would you view. e)) Let's loclcat some of view, ... say about....? h) disagree. possible g) Speaking i) I think otherwise. ways/solution/ personally, j) I don't think that's problems .......... | 4) As forme/ As quite right. f) Let's begin the to me, .. k) I don't think so. discussion g) Alright, let’s begin h) Let’s get started, shall we? To emphasize/highlight To add more ideas To ask for opinion a) Particularly a) Itis not just... a) What do you think? b) Indeed b) Not only that b) What's your opinion? c) Obviously c) Inaddition c) What's your view? d) Undoubtedly d) Furthermore 7 d) Do you agree with me? &) ‘Especially e) Another example of this is... |e) Would you go along with ) Importantly ) Additionally that? ) Absotitety f) What are your thoughts on h)_ Defini that? h) Definitely g) Don’t you think so? i) “Unquestionably h) What do you suggest? j) After all