Vocabulary for debates and

discussion

When you want to state an opinion:

INFORMAL
FORMAL

 In my opinion____
 You know what I think... I think
 I think that_____
that____
 I feel that______
 Wouldn't you say that_______?
 I believe that______
 Don't you agree that_______?
 It seems to me that________
 I'd just like to say that______
 If you ask me_____
 I'd like to point out that_______
 I'd say that_______
 The point is________
 As I see it_______
 I'd say that______
 The point is______

When you want someone to repeat or explain:

 I don't understand what you mean

 Would you explain that, please?
 I'm sorry, but I didn't understand your point.
 Could you give an example?
 What do you mean by_____?

When you want to agree with someone (in ascending order of formality):

 You're right
 I think so, too
 I agree with you
 You could be right
 I couldn't agree more
 That's a good point
 I couldn't agree more
 I see what you mean
 That's just what I was thinking
 I agree entirely
 You know, that's exactly what I think

When you want to disagree with someone

(in ascending order of formality):

 Yes, but_____ Informal disagreement

 I disagree (between people you know
 That's not the point very well)
 No, I think you're wrong
 Up to a point, but________  I can't agree with you
 Yes, that's quite true, but_____ there
 I'm not sure I quite agree  You can't be serious!!
 Well, you have a point there, but_____  Come off it!
 Perhaps, but don't you think that_____  Don't be silly!
 I see what you mean, but________
 I tend to disagree with you there
When you want to persuade someone:

 You must admit that___

 Do you really believe that_____?
 Don't you think that______?
 Don't you agree that____?

In pairs, discuss the topics below:

 space travel is a complete waste of money

 the Internet is making face-to-face communication obsolete
 there should be a 50km speed limit on ALL roads
 English is a very easy language to master
 all motorists should be obliged to wear seatbelts
 putting wild animals in cages in zoos is cruel
 women are worse drivers than men

Topics for group discussion or debate:

 Money invested in space travel should be better invested in helping the

poor and needy
 Experimenting on animals in laboratories is cruel
 Genetic engineering is nothing but a violation of the laws of nature
 Cloning could have disastrous consequences for mankind in the future
 The energy crisis is 'necessary' to maintain the world balance in power
 Man is his own worst enemy
 There is always a price to pay in protecting the environment
 In the 21st century mankind will regress to primitive levels of existence
 Animals should not be kept in captivity
 It is right to meddle with Nature
 Too much knowledge is a dangerous thing
 We hope 'teaching machines' will replace teachers
 Man descended from the apes
 Time is relative
 Any method is justifiable if the aim is to preserve life
 Books are better than Television
