Classroom Expressions
Seeking Clarification
First: Expressing Lack of Understanding
q I’m not sure I’m getting this.
q I don’t understand exactly what you mean.
q I'm sorry, I don't quite follow.
Informal
q Huh?
q What?
Second: Asking for More Information
q So, what are you trying to say?
q Do you mean that ______?
q I didn’t quite catch that last/first part? Could you go over it again, please?
q Would you mind explaining that a little more, please?
q Could you explain that more fully, please?
q Could you tell us a bit more about that, please?
Informal
q What are you getting at?
q What are you driving at?
Restating Your Own Ideas
q In other words, ______.
q To put it another way, ______.
q That is to say, ______.
q The point I'm trying make is that ______.
q What I'm saying is that ______.
q I mean (that) ______.
Paraphrasing Another Person's Ideas
q What Tony means is (that) ______.
q What Cathy is trying say is that ______.
Offering Clarification
q Are you following me?
q Are you with me?
q Do you understand so far?
q Does this make sense to you?
Giving an opinion
q In my opinion, ______.
q As far as I'm concerned, ______.
q Personally, I believe that ______.
q As I see it, ______.
Inquiring about Agreement or Disagreement
q What do you think about this point?
q What’s your opinion about ______?
q Do/Don't you agree, José?
q George, wouldn't you agree?
Expressing Agreement
q Yes, that is right/true.
q You are right.
q I definitely/completely agree with Tom.
q That's exactly what I think.
q I agree with that.
q I couldn’t agree more.
Expressing Disagreement
Start with this:
q To be frank, . . .
q To tell the truth, . . .
Followed by one of these:
q I don't really agree with you on that point.
q I'm afraid I can't agree with that.
q That's not how I see it.
More Polite
q I can see your point, but I don't really agree with it.
q That’s more or less true, but ______.
q I understand what you mean, but ______.
q Yes, but isn’t it also true that ______.
q I guess you could say that, but ______.
Expressing Doubt or Lack of Knowledge
q Well, . . . maybe, . . . but I'm doubtful about that.
q Hmmmm, . . . you may be right, but I'm not sure.
q I can see his point, but I don't know if I agree with it.
q Are you sure that’s correct?
q I find that hard to believe.
q Do you really believe that?
Informal and more direct:
q Are you serious?
q Get out of here?
q I’ll believe that when I see it.
q Ah, come on!
q Ah, you’
Lack of Knowledge
q I’m afraid I don’t know.
q I’m sorry, but I have no idea.
Informal:
q I haven’t a clue.
q I haven’t the foggiest idea.
q It’s beyond me.
Bringing in Other People
q What do you think about Abdul’s idea, Hiroko?
q What is your opinion, Sam?
q Ted, what do you think we should do?
q Joel, what are your views on this subject?
Keeping the Discussion Moving
q Let's go on another point.
q To bring up another point, let's talk about __.
Interrupting
q Excuse me for interrupting, but ______.
q Sorry to interrupt, but ______.
q If I could interrupt, ______.
Getting a Point in the Discussion (Taking the Floor)
q I have a point I‘d like make.
q I'd like to add something here.
q I'd like to say something about your idea.
q Could I just add something here?
q That’s true, but ______.
Informal
q Hold on there.
q Yeah, but ______.
Keeping the Floor
q Just a minute, please.
q Could I just please finish my thought.
q Let me finish what I am trying to say (before I lose my train of thought).
q Let me just say one thing more.
Making Suggestions
q I suggest that we/you ______.
q Why don't we/you ______?
q How about ______?
q Wouldn't it be a good idea to ______?
Persuading. Convincing, and Strengthening Arguments
q You must admit that ______.
q Don't forget that ______.
q Let's all remember that ______.
q In addition to that, ______.
q Another thing, ______.
q Furthermore,______.
q Not only that, but ______.
q What’s more, ______.
q I might add that ______.
Refuting a Fact
q Actually, ______.
q As a matter of fact, ______.
q Well, I'm not sure that's correct because ___.
Dismissing an Irrelevant Point
q I'm afraid you're missing the point.
q I don't see what that has to do with the goal of our discussion.
Capitulation
q I guess you’re right (after all).
q You’ve convinced me.
q I’ll go along with that.
q Maybe you’re right.
q Perhaps you’re right in this case.
Informal
q I’ll buy that.