GENERAL CONVERSATION REMARKS
Hesitation
o Uh . . .
o Well, um . . .
o Let's see.
o Let me think.
o How should I put it?
o That's a good question.
o I'll have to think about that.
Asking for Clarification
o Sorry, but I don't see what you mean.
o Could you be more specific?
o Could you explain that in more detail?
o Do you mean . . . ?
o What do you mean by . . . ?
o If I understand you correctly, . . .
o What you're saying is. . .
o What you're trying to say is. . . (careful)
o Are you sure about that? (careful)
Clarifying yourself
o What I mean is. . .
o What I meant was. . .
o Let me put it (say it) another way.
o What I'm saying is . . .
o What I'm trying to say is . . .
o In other words, . . .
o I didn't mean to say that.
Interruptions
o Pardon/excuse me, but . . .
o Sorry/Excuse me for interrupting, but . . .
o May I ask a question?
o May I add something?
o I'd like to comment on that.
o I'd like to say something here.
o Could I just jump in here?
o What about . . . ?
Refusing Interruptions
o Please let me finish.
o Just let me finish my point; I'll get back to you.
o I'd like to finish what I was saying.
o Could I just finish my point?
Resuming After Allowing Interruptions
o In any case, . . .
o To finish my point, . . .
o To return to X, . . .
o To get back to X, . . .
o Anyway, as I was saying . . .
o Where was I? Oh, yes . . .
Making Suggestions/ Giving Advice
o May I make a suggestion?
o Don't you think . . . ?
o Wouldn't you say/agree/think . . . ?
o Wouldn't it be better if . . . ?
o Why don't you try . . . ?
o You might want to consider . . .
o Are you sure . . . ? (careful)
o Let's . . .
o Perhaps we could . . .
o Why not . . . ?
o How about . . . ?
o I suggest that we . . .
Asking for Suggestions/Advice
o Do you have any suggestions?
o What do you think?
o What would you do?
o What should I do?
o I don’t know what to do. Any ideas?
Accepting and Rejecting
Suggestions/Advice
o That's a good point/idea/approach.
o Thanks for reminding me.
o Yes, why don't we try that?
o I want to think about that.
o I hadn't thought about that.
o That's a good idea, but . . .
o That would be great, except . . .
o Yes, but don't forget . . .
o Yes, but keep in mind . . .
o Yes, but consider . . .
o Possibly, but . . .
o Well, the problem is . . .
Giving an Opinion
o (Personally) I think . . .
o I (strongly) believe . . .
o In my opinion . . .
o From my point of view . . .
o As far as I'm concerned . . .
o It seems to me that . . .
o The way I see it . . .
o To my view . . .
Asking about Agreement
o Do you agree?
o Don't you agree?
o Wouldn't you agree?
o Don't you think so?
Agreeing and Disagreeing
o That's a good point.
o I (completely) agree (with you).
o That's true.
o That makes sense.
o I think so, too.
o I couldn't agree more.
o Do you think so?
o I don't (really) agree (with you).
o (I’m afraid) I disagree.
o I'm afraid I can't agree with you.
o I'm not sure I quite agree with you.
o That's not how/the way I see it.
o Yes, that may be true, but . . .
o Well, you have a point, but . . .
o I can see your point, but . . .
o I see what you mean, but . . .
o Do you see it that way? I think . . .