This document provides guidance on expressing opinions, making arguments, and having discussions. It outlines phrases to structure arguments, qualify agreement or disagreement, discuss pros and cons, summarize points, make suggestions, give reasons, interrupt, give in, and apologize. Key phrases include "firstly," "furthermore," "in my opinion," "there can be no doubt," "I couldn't agree more," "on the one hand," and "to conclude." The document advises choosing phrases that accurately reflect one's intended meaning when debating or discussing issues.
This document provides guidance on expressing opinions, making arguments, and having discussions. It outlines phrases to structure arguments, qualify agreement or disagreement, discuss pros and cons, summarize points, make suggestions, give reasons, interrupt, give in, and apologize. Key phrases include "firstly," "furthermore," "in my opinion," "there can be no doubt," "I couldn't agree more," "on the one hand," and "to conclude." The document advises choosing phrases that accurately reflect one's intended meaning when debating or discussing issues.
This document provides guidance on expressing opinions, making arguments, and having discussions. It outlines phrases to structure arguments, qualify agreement or disagreement, discuss pros and cons, summarize points, make suggestions, give reasons, interrupt, give in, and apologize. Key phrases include "firstly," "furthermore," "in my opinion," "there can be no doubt," "I couldn't agree more," "on the one hand," and "to conclude." The document advises choosing phrases that accurately reflect one's intended meaning when debating or discussing issues.
This document provides guidance on expressing opinions, making arguments, and having discussions. It outlines phrases to structure arguments, qualify agreement or disagreement, discuss pros and cons, summarize points, make suggestions, give reasons, interrupt, give in, and apologize. Key phrases include "firstly," "furthermore," "in my opinion," "there can be no doubt," "I couldn't agree more," "on the one hand," and "to conclude." The document advises choosing phrases that accurately reflect one's intended meaning when debating or discussing issues.
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1/ 5
DEBATING
1. to order a sequence of arguments
firstly - secondly - finally to begin/start with - next - lastly first of all - and also let me begin by pointing out in addition to this furthermore / moreover / besides Essentially, the problem is ... to top it all basically
2. to express one's personal opinion
In my opinion It seems to me that ... I feel / think / believe that ... As I see it, ... I am sure that ... I am convinced that ... certainly / surely / possibly
3. to state something as a fact
There can be no doubt that ... It is a fact that ... Everyone knows that ... indeed / actually 4. to be evasive I'm afraid I can't give you a definitive answer at present. Sorry to sound evasive, but there is no straightforward answer to that. I'd need more information to answer your question.
5. to express and qualify one's argument
That is a very important point. I couldn't agree more. That seems reasonable. This can only be accepted if
6. Complete agreement I agree. I agree completely / entirely. I think you're quite right. I think so, too. I don't think so, either. That's exactly what I think. That's just what I was thinking. Yes, definitively. That's right. 7. qualified agreement maybe / perhaps (not) I see your point. That seems reasonable. I agree to a certain degree ...
8. to express one's disagreement or doubt
I don't quite agree here. I cannot accept your view... I cannot share this view.
9. qualified or polite disagreement
That seems obvious. Do you really think so? I wouldn't say so. I'm not quite so sure.
10. definite disagreement
I don't think so. I don't agree with you. I'm afraid, I can't agree with you That's not how I see it. I disagree (completely). I don't agree at all. 11. to discuss the pros and cons on the one hand - on the other hand There are two sides to this question: ... An argument for this would be ... Some people think ... however
12. to summarize one's arguments
To conclude... In conclusion... To sum up... therefore
13. making suggestions and recommendations
I'd like to hear your ideas on this. It might be a good idea to ... Any suggestions? I think we should ... Do any of you have any suggestions? Have you thought of ...+gerund / noun? What do you recommend / suggest? I see no alternative but to ...
14. to give reasons
The reason for this is that ... There is no reason why ... because since as
15. to interrupt someone
If I could just make a point here. Sorry to interrupt, but I'd just like to say that ... Could I make a suggestion? 16. to give in gracefully I suppose you're right somehow. There's something in what you say, I guess. I guess you are right. It's just that I was thinking of.
17. to apologize I am terribly / awfully / very / really sorry that ... I sincerely apologize for (not) ... +gerund / noun I greatly / deeply regret ... I do / must / would like to / wish to / sincerely apologize for ... +gerund / noun I hope you will excuse /forgive me for (not) ... +gerund / noun Please, accept my apologies. Note: Never say or write "I beg your pardon" if you want to apologize for something, the meaning of this expression being that you haven't understood and would like the other person to repeat. Excuse me!" is not so much a true apology as a polite remark enabling you to make a request or cover up a slight disturbance. "Sorry" is a true apology, i.e. when stepping on someone's foot.
