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STARTING A DICUSSION - well, ladies and gentlemen, I think we should begin - Perhaps we had better get started - Perhaps we had better get down to business - Let's start our discussion 2. STATING THE OBJECTIVES - The purpose of this discussion is, first, to... and secondly to... - We're here today consider... firstly... secondly... - I've called this discussiin firstly to... secondly to... - Our discussion is to... 3. KEEPING THE DICUSSION MOVING - Would you like begin the discussion...? - Shall we continue/proceed then? - Let's move on. 4. ASKING FOR OPINION (TO ONE PERSON) - What are your view on...? - What do you think about? - What your opinion about? (TO A GROUP OF PEOPLE) - Any reaction to that? - Has anybody any strong feeling about that? - Has anybody any comments to make? 5. GIVING OPINION (STRONG) - I'm sure/convinced that... - I feel quite sure that... - It's perfectly clear to me that... (NEUTRAL) - I think.... - As I see... 6. AGREEING (STRONG) - I'm on complete agreement - I couldn't agree more - Exactly/Precisely (Neutral) - I agree. - I think you're right. - That's true/right. 7. DISAGREEING (STRONG) - I disagree completely. - That's out of the question. - Of course not. (Neutral) - I wouldn't say that. - I think you're wrong' - I disagree. 8. MOVING TO A NEW - Could we move on - Now, I'd like to - Can we go on now POINT to next point? turn to... to...