- USEFUL PHRASES Uc Coe SL Below is a list of some phrases that may come in handy. However, remember that speaking naturally Is of the highest priority, You will be heavily penalized if the examiners believe that you are simply using memorized expressions. And ifthe expressions you use are not consistent with the general level of your speaking ability, they will sound very unnatural and count against you. To ask for clarification: To introduce a supported opinion: Sorry, but | don't think | understood the question. Are There are certainly many sides to this argument. | think one of the most you asking if..? serious is ‘Sorry, 'm not sure I caught that. Do you mean...? This is an issue that has been in the news a lot recently. Let me start by 1'm sorry, but 'm not certain of what "__” means. saying. Could you explain it to me? Tobe honest, /naven't really thought much about this issue/problem, but Could you please rephrase the question? | don't think 1m inclined to believe... I've understood it Alot of people argue that... but | disagree. | would have to say that. To gain time to think: To link your idea: Sm not sure if that's ever happened tome. Oh yes, Ido In addition to this, / Moreover, / | should also add that... / Another recall once when... (narration) point to consider is that.../ What's more, / On the one hand, we should Let me see .. that's an interesting question. May I consider that.../ On the other hand, its also true that... / Then again / consider it for a moment? In contrast Hmm, that's a difficult question. | think that... /I need ; ‘a moment to think about that. haber assaleapempgnasal In other words, / That is to say, / What I mean is... / More specifically, / This is definitely a complex issue. | believe there are That's why. two sides / a few points that need to be considered. To present result As a result, / The consequence of this is.. / Therefore, / Consequently, To introduce a narration: This happened to me quite a long time ago, when 1 was much younger. It all started when. To give examples: {tall started when |... /1 thought it would be a normal Take, for example, the argument that. / This actually happened tome day, but little did | know what would happen next. when.../ For example, | read an article that was about... / For instance, ‘Ohyes, this has happened to me on several occasions. ‘many people believe that... ‘But most recently. To agree partially: To end a narratior To an extent, | agree, but... /1 see your point, but | believe that.../ This In the end, | leamed a valuable lesson. You should is certainly true on some occasions, but.../I agree up to a point, but../ never. You may be right, but we should also consider that. In retrospect, | realize that it wasn't so serious/ dangerous/foolish, etc. but at the time, | flt.. To conclude: : So, ail in al, | would have to say that... To finish of, | want to point out Even though this happened a long time ago, its that... / So, as you can see, it’s quite a complex issue and.../ It's evident something / an experience I'l never forget. that there are no easy solutions, so... / To put it briefly, / I'd have to say It was the (+ superlative) experience I've ever had. ie ‘Scanned with CamScanner