APPENDIX

1. Introducing the topic

 Today we are here to discuss…

 The goal of our discussion today is…

2. Bringing in other people

 What is your opinion, Mr. Ito?

 Do you agree with Mr. Ito’s opinion, Ms. Suzuki?

 Mr. Ito, what do you think we should do?

 Mr. Ito, what are your views regarding this point?

3. Keeping the Discussion Moving

 Let’s go on to another point.

 Next, let’s talk about…

 Let’s talk about that later.

4. Giving an opinion

 In my opinion…

 As far as I’m concerned…

 Personally, I believe that…

 The way I see it is…

5. Getting further information

 Would you mind explaining that a little more, please?

 Could you explain that more fully?

 Could you tell us a bit more about that?

 6. Restating an idea

 In other words,

 That is, …

 What I’m trying to say is…

 I mean…

 To put it another way…

7. Persuading Convincing

 You must admit that…

 Don’t forget that…

 You must remember that…

8. Inquiring about Agreement or Disagreement

 Do/don’t you agree, Ms. Suzuki?

 Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Ito?

9. Expressing Agreement

 Yes, that is right/correct.

 You are right/correct.

 I definitely agree with Ms. Suzuki.

 That is exactly what I think.

10. Expressing Disagreement

 I don’t really agree with him/her.

 I’m afraid I can’t agree with his/her opinion.

 That’s not quite how I see it.

  I can see your point, but I don’t really agree with it.

11. Expressing doubt or reservation

 Well, maybe, but I’m not sure about that.

 Hmm, he may be correct but I’m not sure.

 I can see your point, but I’m not sure I agree.

12. Refuting a fact

 Actually,

 As a matter of fact, …

 Well, I’m not sure that is true/correct because…

13. Dismissing an irrelevant point

 I’m afraid you’re missing the point.

 I don’t think that has anything do with the goal of our discussion.

14. Making suggestions

 Why don’t we/you…

 How about…

 I suggest that we/you…

15. Agreeing with a suggestion

 Ok. That makes sense.

 Of course.

 Certainly

16. Refusing a suggestion or request

 I’m sorry but that is out of the question

  Unfortunately that is not possible.

17. Capitulation

 Mr. Suzuki has convinced me that my opinion/suggestion/idea is not

useful/practical/necessary/good. Therefore, I have changed my mind.

 OK. You have persuaded me to change my mind. I can agree with you.

18. Expressing similarities

 Those two points/suggestions are similar.

 Mr. Suzuki’s idea is about the same as Ms. Ito’s.

 My idea/suggestion is (more)....er than mine/hers.

19. Interrupting

 Excuse me for interrupting, but…

 Sorry to interrupt, but…

20. Getting a point into the discussion

 I have a point I’d like to make.

 I’d like to add something here.

 I’d like to say something about your/her/his idea.

21. Seeking clarification

 What do you mean?

 Sorry, I’m not quite sure what you mean.

 Do you mean that…?

 I’m sorry, I don’t quite follow.

 I don’t quite understand what you’re saying.

 22. Paraphrasing another person’s idea

 What Ms. Ito means is that…

 What (s)he is trying to say is that…

23. Requesting

 Ms. Ito, I wonder if you would mind................., please?

 Mr. Kato, do you think you could..............., please?

24. Making comparisons

 Mr. Ito’s explanation is more/less............than hers/his.

 Your opinion/idea is.............-er than mine/hers.

25. Expressing Preference

 I think the best/worst suggestion is …

 His idea is the............-est (best, most reasonable etc.)

 Her proposal is the most/least…

 One of the most practical items is..............., so we/you should definitely

take/use it.

26. Closing the Discussion

 In conclusion, the purpose of this discussion…

 The goal of our discussion is to….

 We have concluded that…