FUNCTIONS BANK On the one hand..., on the other hand...

Although I'd..., I certainly wouldn't...

Agreeing While I might..., I don't think I'd...
Yes, but... Of course I'd..., but I'm not sure if I'd...
True, but... There's no doubt that it would..., but there's also a
I see what you mean, but... chance it might...
I suppose so, but...
Yes, but on the other hand... Expressing a preference
I'm afraid I disagree / don't agree / can't agree... I'd much rather... (do) than... (do something else).
I'm not sure if that's strictly true. I prefer... to...
You have a point there, but... I'd prefer to... (do).
Actually, I'm not sure if I agree with that. I think... is much more interesting than...
I don't find... half as interesting as...
Asking what sb thinks I like... better than...
What do you think?
What do you reckon? Expressing uncertainty
What's your opinion about/of... ? I'm not really sure but I think...
What's your position on...? I can't say for certain but...
What's your reaction to...? It's difficult to say exactly but perhaps...
What's your take on... ? I couldn't say, really...
Do you have any thoughts on... ? I'm not sure.
I don't know for sure but...
Agreeing to a suggestion
Yes, I think that's a good idea. Giving examples
That's probably the best option. For example, ...
Sure, why not? For instance, ...
Yes, definitely. One example of this is...
By all means. To give you an idea, ...
Good idea! Look at the case of...
Take, for example, ...
Check you have understood Let' say, ...
So, I / We have to...
Do you want me / us to...? Giving advice
Am I / Are we supposed to...? I think you should... (do).
Should I...? You could... (do).
So, the (general/basic) idea is to... Why don't you... (do)?
Do you mean...? If I were you, I'd... (do).
Does this mean that...? Have you tried... (doing)?
So am I right in saying...?
So, what you're saying is... Interrupting politely
Could I just say something?
Disagreeing Actually, I'd just like to say...
Yes, but... Sorry to interrupt, but...
True, but... Oh, while I remember / before I forget...
I see what you mean, but... Excuse me...
I suppose so, but... May I interrupt?
Yes, but on the other hand...
I'm afraid I disagree / don't agree / can't agree... Giving yourself time to think
I'm not sure if that's strictly true. Well, let me see...
You have a point there, but... Let me think...
Actually, I'm not sure if I agree with that. Let me get this right...
Um, well, that's a difficult question / that's an
interesting question.
Expressing 2 points of view I'll have to / Let me think about that for a
moment...
I think it's difficult to answer that question... First of all, ...
How shall I put it?... To start with, ...
Now, how can I best say this...? Secondly, ...
Another thing is that...
Justifying your opinion Alternatively, ...
Personally, I (don't) think... because... Last but not least, ...
Let's (not)... because...
In my opinion, I (don't) feel... because... Persuading
I would definitely (not)... because... But don't you agree that...
It would be better to... as... Yes, but I'm sure you'd agree that...
I (don't) feel that it's important to... as... Don't you think that...

Linking what you are saying Presenting an opinion

Anyway, ... Personally, I think that...
True, but ... It seems to me that...
As a matter of fact, ... From my point of view, ...
... sort of... In my opinion, ...
Hmm...
... you know... Prioritising
... believe me... ... would be much more important than...
I don't think... would be nearly as important /
Making recommendations urgent as...
You mustn't miss the... ... will definitely be the most / least ...
You must go to the...
You've got to... (do) rejecting a suggestion
You'll love the... Yes, but wouldn't it be better to... (do).
I wouldn't recommend the... That's a good idea, but... (do).
You definitely wouldn't enjoy going to the...
Saying you don’t know
Making suggestions I'm afraid I can't help you.
Shall I / we... (do)? I'm sorry, I don't know
Let's... (do).
Why don't I / we... (do)? Sequencing actions
How about... (doing)? First of all, ...
What about... (doing)? Next, ...
I think we should... (do). Then, ...
I suggest that we... (do). After that, ...
It might be a good idea if we / you... (do). Finally, ...
I think the best way of dealing with this situation
would be to... (do). Show interest
If you ask me, I think we / you should... (do). Uh-huh!
We could... Right!
Really?
Offering sth That's interesting!
Would you like...? And?
What can I get you? What then?
Help yourself to... Oh?
Please have some... What happened next?
Would you care for some...?
Can I offer you...? Showing that you’re listening
Can I get you a... / anything? Now, you mentioned...
So, that's how...?
Yes, I was going to ask you about that...
Could you give me / us an example of...?
Ordering/sequencing Could you explain in more detail...?
 I beg your pardon?
Speculating I'm sorry, what was that?
It's difficult to say exactly but I suppose it could I'm sorry I didn't catch that.
be... Could you repeat that, please?
I'm not sure but it might be... Could you say that again, please?
It can't be... because... Would you mind repeating that, please?
It must be... because...
I would guess... Accepting sth that’s offered
Yes, please.
Stating consequences Thank you very much.
As a result, ... That would be very nice.
Consequently, ... I'd like some... , please.
Because of this, ...
Due to (cause),... Apologising
Sorry
Summarising I'm very/awfully/so/extremely sorry.
So what it comes down to is... Excuse me.
The point I'm trying to make is... Sorry, (it was) my fault.
Let me just recap what's been said so far. I do apologise.
In short, ... Please accept my apologies.
To sum up, ...
Basically, ... Asking for advice
Overall, it would seem that... What do you think I should do?
What would you do (if you were in my situation)?
Thanking and responding What would you advise me to do?
Many thanks.
Thanks a lot. Asking for directions
Cheers! Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to ... (place),
That's very kind of you. please?
Thank you very much Which way is the ... (place), please?
Not at all. Could you tell me where ... is, please?
It's a pleasure. / My pleasure. Do you know where ... is?
You're welcome.
Don't mention it. Asking for information
Any time. Excuse me. Could you tell me where ... is?
That's OK / all right. Excuse me. Can you tell me...?
I'm glad to have been of some help. Do you know...?
You wouldn't know..., would you?
Do you happen to know...?
Accepting an apology
I'd like to know..., please.
That's all right/OK.
And there's another thing I'd like to know...
Not to worry.
I would be interested to know...
That's quite/perfectly all right.
Please could you tell me...
No reason/need to apologise.
Don't worry about it
Asking for permission
Can I.../May I..., please?
Accepting an invitation
Do you mind if I...?
Yes, I'd love to.
Mind if I...?
Yes, that would be great.
Any chance I could...?
I'm sorry, what was ... again?
I wonder/I was wondering if I could...
I'm sorry?
Would it be possible for me to...
Do you have any objection if I...?
Would it bother you if I...?

Asking sb to repeat
Checking sb has understood
Are you with me?
Did you follow that?
Have you got that?
Is everything clear so far?
Does that seem to make sense?
Dec lining sth that’s offered
I'm all right/I'm fine, thank you.
No, thanks.
Not this time, thanks.
I'm not sure I could, thank you.
Giving advice
I think you should... (do).
You could... (do).
Why don't you... (do)?
If I were you, I'd... (do).
Have you tried... (doing)?
Refusing an invitation
I'm afraid I'm busy on... (day). How about next...
(day)?
I'm sorry I can't. I'm... (doing something else).
I'm afraid I can't make it. I'm... (doing something
else).
I'd love to, but...
That's very kind of you, but...
Refusing permission
I'm afraid not. I'm sorry it's not possible... I'm
afraid you can't. I'm afraid that's out of the
question.

Giving directions
Go straight on.
Take the first/second on the left / right.
Turn left / right.
Go along... as far as...
Take the number 7 bus / tram.
Get off (the bus / tram) at... (place).
Carry on until you see...
Look out for...

Giving instructions
Make sure...
Remember... (to do).
Be careful... (not to do).
Don't forget... (to do)

Giving permission
Of course.
By all means.
Certainly.
Yes, that's OK/fine.
You're welcome to...
Please feel free to...
Please don't hesitate to...
Sure.
OK.
Go ahead.
Why not?

Making invitations
What are you doing on... (day)?
Have you got any plans for... (day/time of day)?
Would you like to... (do)?
Do you fancy... (doing)?
What about... (doing)?