LNG 102 Fundamental English II Students’ Supplementary Handout

Introduction to Speaking Skills Prepared by Wichai Kritprayoch

Introduction to Speaking Skills: Language for Discussion

OPENERS RESPONSES

ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION GIVING CLARIFICATION

Could you explain what you mean by this , please? Well, what I'm trying to say is that …
ø ø all saying
I’m not quite with you.
Well, what I mean is …
What do you mean? ø

I'm sorry but I don’t quite understand what you

I’m afraid really
ø ø

are trying to say. Well, the point is ...

mean by this. ø
are getting at.
are driving at.

I’m sorry but I’m not clear about . . .

I’m afraid
ø

I'm not quite sure I understand that.

ø follow you.
know that you mean.

I'm afraid I can't even begin to understand what you are trying
to say.
ASKING FOR OPINIONS EXPRESSING OPINIONS

What do you think about …? Personally I think that …

of Frankly
ø
What is you opinion about …?
on What I think is that…
of

How do you find …? It's quite clear to me that…

feel about ø ø

What are your feelings concerning …? I feel …

views regarding It's obvious that …
about In my opinion …
As far as I am concerned
Has anybody got any other ideas concerning …? The way I look at it …
ø ø views regarding As I see it …
opinions about
suggestions ø I'd just like to point out that …
ø say…

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LNG 102 Fundamental English II Students’ Supplementary Handout
Introduction to Speaking Skills Prepared by Wichai Kritprayoch

OPENERS RESPONSES

What would you suggest? I'm absolutely convinced that you'll all agree
do perfectly certain ø
quite confident
ø sure
What about …?
How with me when I say that …
ø ø
What would you say about …?
to

How does the idea of … appeal to you?

Would it be a good idea if …?

Will to

Will you agree that … ?

Won’t
Would
Wouldn’t
Do
Don’t

Except for ‘What do you suggest?’ the above can also be used for:
EXPRESSING OPINIONS
EXPRESSING SUGGESTIONS

INTRODUCING A POINT EXPRESSING AGREEMENT

I'm sure that … I couldn't agree more.

convinced I agree entirely.
absolutely certain I fully agree with what you have just said.
your comment.

It seems quite clear that… That's exactly what I was thinking.

obvious just what I think.
evident ø what I've been wanting to say.
ø what I've been saying all along.
how I feel about the problem.
how I see all this.

Wouldn't you agree that … I'd go along with that point of view.
admit I'll ø you on that.
say you there.

The first problem seems to be … I think you have a very interesting point there.
basic point is … ø there is a lot of truth in that argument.
main there is a lot to be said for that point of view.
most important

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LNG 102 Fundamental English II Students’ Supplementary Handout
Introduction to Speaking Skills Prepared by Wichai Kritprayoch

OPENERS RESPONSES

I must say I find that a very

ø I think that is a most
ø
convincing argument.
pertinent remark.
relevant suggestion.
interesting comment.
line of reasoning.

INTRODUCING AN OPPOSITE POINT

I take your point but …

see

Possibly, but on the other hand …

True, if you look at this from a different point of view …
Yes, looking at this from another point of view …

EXPRESSING SUGGESTIONS EXPRESSING ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTIONS

Don't you think I could …? Don't you think I 'd better…?

you should you
he he
she she
it it
we we
they
Can't I … instead?
Don't you think it would be a good idea to …? Couldn't you
a sensible he
an she
it
One way out would be to … we
they
Wouldn't it be possible for me to … ?
you I must say I'd rather …
him ø
her
it Wouldn't it be better if …?
us to
them

Have you ever thought of …? Don't you think it would be better if …?

ø thought about to
considered

Why don’t I …? EXPRESSING TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

you
we That certainly sounds like a good idea.
they ø seems

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LNG 102 Fundamental English II Students’ Supplementary Handout
Introduction to Speaking Skills Prepared by Wichai Kritprayoch

OPENERS RESPONSES

Why doesn't he …? That's certainly a possibility.

she definitely something to consider.
it ø something worth consideration.

Why not …?
Let's …
Let me …
him … EXPRESSING DISAGREEMENT IN A DISCUSSION
her …
it … Wouldn't it be rather risky to …?
them … You haven't convinced me that …
Isn't that out of the question?
I thought I would … I can't accept that.
ø you could … Do you expect me to believe that?
he No way.
she What an absurd idea!
it
we
they

Can I …?
Can't you
Could he
Couldn't she
it
we
they

I don't suppose you would like to …?

she fancy
they ø

I’d better…

All of the above can be preceded by:

You might not agree with me but …
may

See also ASKING FOR OPINIONS

EXPRESSING DOUBT DEALING WITH DOUBTS AND OBJECTIONS

I take your point but … I can assure you that …

see You needn't worry about …
I see what you mean but … Look at it in another way …
I agree with you on the whole but …
This may seem impossible to you but …
Perhaps, but … improbable
Possibly,
Yes,

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LNG 102 Fundamental English II Students’ Supplementary Handout
Introduction to Speaking Skills Prepared by Wichai Kritprayoch

OPENERS RESPONSES

Oh, but don't you think that … ?

see EXPRESSING DISAGREEMENT

That's all very well but … I'm rather worried about what you said …
That's true I suppose but ... I honestly don't see why …
ø I don't think there is any need to …

That's an interesting point of view but … I 'm not sure I quite agree.
comment I don't think I'll go along with you on that.
remark I'll go along with you there.
it would be advisable to …
That's easier said than done. You see … I can accept that suggestion.
Well, you have a point there but …
It's all very well for you to say that but … You see …
I wouldn't agree.

It all sounds quite interesting but… I don't agree at all.

ø most convincing You can't really mean that.
very You don't mean that, do you?
ø You don't seem to realize that …
Surely you realize that …
Might it not also be true that ...? Are you really trying to say that …?
Isn't it just possible that …?
Can we be sure that …? You don't seem to understand what I'm driving at.
What will happen if …? trying to say.
Yes, but you don't seem to realize that … saying.

The above can also be used for:

POLITE DISAGREEMENT I'm afraid that’s quite out of the question.
ø ø
See Also EXPRESSING INDECISION

EXPRESSION INDECISION Yes, but on the other hand…

you can't deny that…
Oh, I don't know … you've got to remember that…
I'm not really sure. don't forget that…
ø
It's not as easy as all that. You see …

The above can also be used for: Well, actually …

POLITE DISAGREEMENT to be quite honest …
I'm afraid that ….

Oh, do you really think so?

Most of the above can be preceded by:

That's very good idea but …

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LNG 102 Fundamental English II Students’ Supplementary Handout
Introduction to Speaking Skills Prepared by Wichai Kritprayoch

OPENERS RESPONSES

MAKING EVERYBODY ACTIVE INTERRUPTING

What do you think, Mrs. Davis? By the way …

Sorry to interrupt but …
Don't you agree, Miss Pullen?
Do That 's all very interesting but …
ø
I don't know what Mr. Millington thinks but …

You're very quiet, Mrs. Patterson. Excuse me but that reminds me …

ø
You haven't said anything so far, Dr Loft.
much I'm afraid I've got to interrupt you here.
I'm sorry but I have ø

Let's hear what Mrs. Patterson thinks. I'm afraid I’ve got something important to tell you.
says. I'm sorry but I have ø
has to say.

EXPRESSING EXASPERATION at not being listened to BRINGING A DISCUSSION BACK TO THE POINT

Why doesn't anybody ever listen to me? Please come to the point …
Won't ø take any notice of what I'm saying? The whole point is that …
Could you stick to the point, please?
Perhaps we could get back to the main point.
That's off the point.

Why can't you listen to me for once? That's all very interesting but I don't think it's really
won't ø ø
to the point.

I'm afraid that's not the point.

ø you've missed the point.

Can we leave that and get back to …

go

We seem to be talking at cross-purposes.

This isn't very relevant, is it?

ø ø

(Taken from Golebiowska, A., 1990. Getting Students to Talk. Cambridge: Prentice Hall, pp.141-152.)