Appendix 2

ORAL DISCUSSION

Opening and defining a problem

May I begin by saying that….

It might be a good idea to subdivide this topic into several parts

Let's outline the central problem

O.K., where do we start?

Proposing the first argument

As I see it

In my opinion

Personally, I (strongly) believe/feel

To my mind...

As far as I'm concerned…

I look at it this way…

The first thing I would say is…

I put it to you (I suggest to you)

I should like to put the theory forward that….

I should like to take up the argument of…

Asking for the other's opinion

What do you think about...

Do you think it is fair to say...

Would you say that... ...?

Do you think it is right/ correct/ legitimate to say...

I'm afraid I have no opinion on this matter…

It depends on what you mean by…

It has often be said that…

You may be tempted at first to suppose that…

Checking to make sure you have understood

I'd just like to check that I've understood you correctly.

Are you saying that…

Let me just make sure I've understood your argument correctly

Would you mind explaining it in detail, please?

What do you mean by saying that …

Do you mean that …

What are you trying to say?

Disagreeing – and proposing a counter-argument/ counter-example

I cannot agree with your statement/ idea/ argument

I cannot go along with that

I am fully against what you have just said

I'm afraid I disagree

I must contradict the …..argument of the previous speaker

I must take strong exception to…

In the course of his speech Mr. X said that….. however…

In his very able speech Mr. X quoted statistics about…..

That's not exactly true

I'm afraid I don't see it that way

I'm sorry, but it's not quite right

I'm afraid I disagree

I'm afraid I can't agree with that

I don't really agree with you on that

To tell (you) the truth, I have a different opinion

Basically, I understand what you mean, but I think your conclusions are wrong

I'd like to digress here for a moment and just mention that ...

Agreeing – and supporting the argument with further material

I couldn't agree more

You're quite/ certainly/ absolutely right on this point

I agree 100% with your argument

It seems we see eye to eye on this issue/ matter/ point

Partially agreeing/ disagreeing

I see your point but I don't/ can't fully agree.

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say...

I think it would be safer to say...

I don't disagree completely, however...

I'm not sure that I agree with your argument completely...

I have mixed feelings about it

Are you sure that this information is correct / accurate?

Evading difficult or hostile questions

I'm afraid I'm not the right person to answer that.

I'm afraid I'm not in a position to answer that question. You should ask Mr. ...

I'm not sure, I'll just have to find out...

I can't tell you off-and, I'm afraid.

I'm not sure this is the right place (time) to discuss this particular question.

I don't think (I'm not sure) we should talk about it at this stage.

Could we leave that till later?

I have to think about it

Changing the perspective

Perhaps we should look at the problem from a different angle/ perspective

I would look at things a bit differently

From the point of view of ...

Let's change our focus.

I now want to draw your attention to another fact

On the other hand some of us feel very strongly about …

I'd like to turn to something completely different

Let me go back to what I said earlier about ...