Speaking Functional Language
Introducing personal Expressing personal opinion Speculating and Asking for clarification
experiences expressing possibility
● In my ● Speaking for myself… ● I suppose… ● Sorry, I didn’t get the question.
experience… ● Personally… ● It’s possible… ● Sorry, I’m afraid I didn’t catch that.
● I remember ● In my view… ● I would imagine ● Could you repeat the question,
when… ● For me… that… please?
● What happened ● As I see it… ● I’d say… ● Could you say that again?
was… ● As far as I’m concerned… ● Perhaps… ● Could you explain what you mean
● One time ● I’m sure that… ● I think it’s by..?
(when)… ● I’m convinced that… likely/unlikely ● Could you explain the question,
● Back when I ● I’m certain that… please?
was… ● There’s no way… ● Sorry, could you rephrase that?
● I think that... ● What do you mean exactly?
● The way I see it, … ● Sorry I don’t understand. Sorry I don’t
● I would say that follow.
● Sorry, would you mind repeating that?
Would you mind saying that again?
● Sorry, what do you mean?
Expressing agreement Expressing disagreement Explaining small differences or no difference Contrasting
● I totally agree. ● I’m afraid I ● similar to ● no comparison
● I couldn’t agree disagree.
with you more. ● I see your point, ‘My daughter is very similar to her dad in ‘There’s no comparison. Driving
● You’re absolutely but… many ways.’ is much faster than biking.
right. ● That’s not always ● much the same ● in contrast to
● No doubt about it. true.
● Definitely / ● Not necessarily. ‘I think both towns are much the same.’ ‘Brazilians are very talkative in
Absolutely / ● That’s one way of contrast to Germans, who are
● same + noun + as
Precisely looking at it.
However… ‘My best friend is the same age as me.’ usually very quiet.’
● as + adjective + as ● compared to
‘To me, reading a book is as fun as watching ‘Doctors make a lot of money
a movie.’ compared to nurses.
Useful phrases for Collaborative task
Getting started Moving to the next item Ending your turn Interrupting
-Which one shall we -Shall we move onto [topic] now? -What do you think? -Sorry to
start with? -So what about [topic]? -Don't you agree? interrupt but...
-What do you think, -I wonder if we can compare [current topic] to -Do you have -Just a
Bob? [new topic]? anything to say about second...
-Bob, I think you -What about this one? [pointing to topic] that?
know a lot about -What do you think about this idea? -Do you have
[topic]. What's your -How do you feel about that one? anything to add to
opinion on it? -We're running out of time, so let's move on. that?
-We still need to discuss [topic]. -Did I forget
-Ah, that connects with the next topic. anything?
-[Topic] is pretty similar to the last one - maybe
we can skip it for now?
Agreeing Disagreeing Reaching a decision
-Right. -Maybe, but what about...? -Well, I think it's definitely not [topic]
-Good point. -I think it would be better to... -We can eliminate [topic] right away. Don't
-I fully agree. -I'm not so keen on that. you think?
-I was just thinking that! -I don't really agree with you there. -So then, what do you think is the best one?
-I was just going to say that! -Weeell maybe, but... -I guess you think we should choose [topic]?
-That's just what I was -Yeah, but, the thing is... -Are we both in favour of [topic]?
thinking. -The problem with what you said -Okay, so we agree.
-I couldn't agree more. is... -I don't think we're going to agree on this!
You're totally right. -For one thing...[reason 1] And for -Let's agree to disagree!
another... [reason 2]
