Key Phrases for OET Speaking

Explaining:

• The reason for ……

• One possible explanation is that….
• What’s responsible for this effect is….
• Let me explain,……
• There’s no doubt in my mind……..
• It could well be that…………
• I’d say that ………..
• What I mean is…
• What I meant was…
• Let me put that another way…
• What I’m trying to say is…
• Let’s see if I can explain myself better.
• Let me try to explain that another way.

Instructing:

• What you have to do is…

• What you must remember is…
• It’s (very/extremely) important that you …
• Don’t forget to ….
• You (absolutely) must remember to…
• You have to …
• It’s crucial that you …

Suggesting:

• "You should …………………….

• "You shouldn't ……………………….
• "Why don't you ……………………….
• "You ought to …………………………….
• "If I were you, I'd …………………………………..
• suggest and recommend
• Either use a verb + ing
I suggest trying ………………….

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 • OR use that + a verb without to
"I suggest that you try……………..
• OR use a noun
"I recommend ……………………………..

Giving advice:

• "You could always…"

• "Have you considered…"
• "Perhaps we could…"
• "Do you think it's a good idea to…"
• "Have you thought about…"
• "In your position, I would…"
• "You should perhaps…"
• It’s important to realize that…………………..
• Another key point is………………………………..
• The first thing to remember is…………………………
• If I were you, I would ………………………
• Why don't you ……………………………..
• You'd better ……………………………………….
• You ought to/should avoid +ing ……………………….
• It might be a good idea to ……………………………………………..
• I advise you to ……………………………………………………………
• Have you thought about +ing …………………………………….
• You had better …………………………………………
• You had better not ……………………………………….
• Your only option is to……………………...
• Have you thought about……………….?
• Have you tried………………………?

Asking for advice:

• What do you advise me to do?

• What should I do?
• What ought I to do?
• What's your advice?
• If you were me what would you do?

Declining to give advice:

• I don't know what to advise, I'm afraid.

• I’m afraid I can’t help you with that.
• I wish I could suggest something, but I can't.
• I wish I could help.

Reassuring:

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 • Don’t worry
• You'll be fine. / It'll be fine
• What are you worrying for?
• There's no need to worry.
• There's nothing to worry about.
• It'll turn out all right.
• It isn't as bad as all that.
• Whatever you may have heard...
• Rest assured,……….....
• I can assure you that...

Empathising:

• I know how you must feel

• I (completely) understand how you feel
• I know this must be difficult (but…)
• This must seem really scary, but …
• I know this is hard but …
• I’m so sorry to hear that
• I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this
• That sounds really hard/tough/difficult
• It’s okay
• Try not to worry

Summarising and checking understanding:

• Have I made everything clear?

• Does that make sense?
• Is there anything you don’t quite understand?
• Are there any (more, further) questions?
• Let me repeat that.
• Let’s go through that again.
• If you don’t mind, I’d like to go over this again.

For OET Speaking role play practice and feedback go to www.e2language.com