ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

LANGUAGE SKILLS 3.3

Reacting to an opposing view

 I don’t really agree with that.
 That’s just an opinion – there’s no evidence to prove it.
 But where will it end?
 That’s a fair point, I suppose. But in my view …
 That argument doesn’t make sense.
 You don’t have to take things to such an extreme.
 I see what you see. But.
 You can’t be serious.


Describing similarities and differences

 The most obvious similarity between the photos is (that) ...
 The photos are similar in that...
 The most obvious difference between the photos is (that) ...
 In the first picture, ... while/whereas in the other, ..
 Photo 1 shows ... Photo 2, on the other hand, shows ...

Expression for negotiation.

 So, let’s look at the different options.
 What puts me off is ….
 All in all, it isn’t very appealing.
 I think we should move onto the next option.
 This one has quite a lot going for it, in my opinion.
 Can you think of any drawbacks?
 I suppose there are ways around that.
 I think it’s definitely worth considering.
 On reflection, maybe we should reject that option.
 So, have we reached a decision?
 I’ll go along with that

Changing the subject

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 I' ll now turn to ...
 I'd now like to deal with ...

Acknowledging an opposing view

 I freely admit that ...
 Others take a different view.

Dismissing an opposing view

 I don't accept there's any merit in the argument that ...
 I entirely reject the notion that ...

Referring to something said earlier

 Returning to (the issue of ... /the point about ... )
 To restate the main argument, ...

Drawing conclusions
 Judging by the fact that -- I'd say that --
 The fact that -- would suggest that --
 -- so obviously --
 It’s clear from the fact that -- that --
 This would point to the fact that --
 -- which leads me to think that --
 I take it that --
 For that reason, I assume that –

Complete the phrases the students use when they forget a word.
 The word has just slipped my mind.
 The correct word escaped me for the moment.
 I can't quite remember what it's called
 The word is on the tip of my tongue
 I can't put my finger on it at the moment.

Specifying use
 It's one of those things for -ing ...
 It's something you might use for ...
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 It can be used to ...

Describing appearance
 It's one of those things that has (a handle)
 It looks a bit like a ...
 It's like a ... only (smaller)

Mentioning associations
 You'd find it in / on / near ...
 It's something you'd expect to see if you were ...
 You might need one of these if you were ...

Giving a definition
 It's a type of ... that .. .
 It's another word for .. .

Asking People To Wait

 Hang on a moment.
 Give us a second.
 Sorry, I'm a bit tied up right now.
 You'll just have to be patient.
 Give me a chance.
 Don't be so impatient.

Giving An Opinion
 I reckon...
 I'd say...
 Personally, I think...
 What I reckon is...
 If you ask me...
 The way I see it...
 As far as I'm concerned...
 If you don't mind me saying...
 I'm utterly convinced that...

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 Saying Somebody Is Correct
 Yes, that's right.
 You're quite right.
 Yes, that's correct.
 That's spot on.
 Absolutely.
 I'm afraid so.

Saying Somebody Is Wrong

 I'm afraid that's not quite right.
 I'm afraid you're mistaken.
 I don't think you're right about...
 Actually, I don't think...
 No, you've got it wrong.
 No, that's all wrong.
 Where did you hear that?
 If you check your facts, you'll find...

Agreeing/ Partially agreeing

 That’s how I see it too.
 I go along with that.
 I couldn’t agree with you more
 You can say that again
 I suppose so

Disagreeing
 I see what you’re talking but I think…
 I respect your point but from my perspective
 I take your point but that isn’t the way I see it; instead, I think that
 True, that is a fair point, but I have to say I disagree…
 I understand where you are coming from but…
 There is some truth to what you’re saying but don’t you think that…
 I’m sorry but I have to disagree with you on…
 I’m not sure I agree with you on…
 I don’t think you and I have the same opinion on this issue

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 Saying Things Are Good.
 It's fantastic.
 It's better than average.
 I'd recommend it.
 I'm very impressed.
 It's better than I expected.
 It's the best I've ever seen / tasted