HOW TO DEBATE

IN ENGLISH
Simple phrases and vocabulary
 How to start an argument

1. Personally, I think… 6. I’d like to point

2. Let us start by out that…
considering the 7. The point is…
facts… 8. I believe that…
3. I’d like to say this… 9. In my
4. To begin with… experience…
5. In my opinion… 10.If you ask me…
 How to clarify what you’re saying

1. What I said was… 5. Let me repeat

2. I’m not saying that. (rephrase) what I
What I am saying is… said…
3. Yes, but I don’t forget, I 6. I think you
was only referring to…
misunderstood
4. I did not say… What I
what I said…
did say was…
 How to agree

1. Of course 5. That’s just what I

2. I agree completely think
3. So do I. (Neither do 6. That’s a good
I.) point
4. I feel the same way 7. You’re absolutely
right
8. That’s true
 How to debate an argument

1. That can’t be true 4. But what about…

2. Do you mean to tell (What’s your
me that… answer to that?)
3. If you don’t mean… 5. Are you seriously
(then you should say suggesting that…
what you mean) 6. It is undeniable
that…
 How to disagree

7. I hate to disagree with

1. On the contrary…
you, but…
2. However…
8. That’s not (entirely)
3. All right, but don’t you
true…
think…
9. But that’s different…
4. That’s not the same
10.One should,
thing at all…
nevertheless, consider
5. I’m afraid I disagree…
the problem from
6. On the other hand…
another angle…
 How to interrupt an argument

1. Excuse me, did you 4. Excuse me, did

say that…? you mean that…?
2. Get to the point! What 5. So what you are
you really think is saying is that…
that…
3. Before you make your
next point…
 How to ask for opinion

1. Well? What do you 4. Let’s have your

think? opinion
2. What’s your view in 5. How do you see it
the matter?
3. Do you agree?
Let’s practise!