Supplement conversational expressions

• (Oh) come oh;

• Don’t you think

• After all;

• What you don’t seem to understand is that;

• I’m awfully sorry to ask you…but;

• If I’ll do it…I’ll;

• I don’t know, but;

• I’ll tell you what

• Look;

• Why don’t we;

• I know you can do it;

• It’s crucial for you;

• It’s important for you;

• It’s necessary for you;

• I wonder how;

• What do you say

• Maybe you could;

• I was wondering if you’d ever thought of;

• Why don’t you try;

• Don’t you think;

• If I were you;

• I have an idea;

• I think it might be a good idea to;

• I don’t know;

• We’ll see;

• I know, but;

• I don’t see how;

• That’s a good idea, but

• That’s true, but;

• No way;

• Absolutely not;

• I don’t care;

• That’s all out of the question;

• That might be OK, but;

• I see what you mean, but;

Neutral

Informal

Formal

• Yes, I agree…;

• True enough;

• That’s right;

• I can’t help thinking the same;

• How true;

• I couldn’t agree more;

• How right that is;

• Oh, definitely;

- Well, that’s the thing;

• Yes, right;

• Dead right;

• Too true;

• I’d go along with you there;

• I’m with you there;

• Oh, I agree entirely;

• I agree absolutely with;

• My own view/opinion exactly;

• I’m of exactly the same opinion;

• I don’t think anyone could disagree with…;

Neutral

Informal

Formal

• (Oh), I don’t agree;

• I’m not at all sure;

• No, I don’t think;

• I’m afraid, I disagree;

• That’s not right, surely;

• That’s not the way I see it;

• I can’t help thinking…;

• Do you really think…?

• (Oh), surely not;

• I don’t see why;

• I can’t go along with;

• (Oh), come off it;

• Nonsense!

• Rubbish!

• No way!

• You must be joking;

• You can’t mean that;

• I really must take issue with you (there);

• I’m afraid, I can’t accept…;

• I can’t say that I share your view;

• I’m not at all convinced…;

• I see things differently myself;

• I know I’m not good at;

• As for when I look at myself, well…then I see someone a bit different;

• That’s probably my main fault;

• I should say I’m not exactly – how should I say?

• I suppose I’m not coherent in my behaviour;

• You’d have to see it to believe it;

• You shouldn’t be asking what I think of myself, … but what I think of…;

• It’s law and order what we need;

• I say get rid of;

• I didn’t make…till…in…, till quite late in life;

• I had no one to rely on…and no one to ask for advice. That made me independent;

• I’m the sort of ordinary decent person who wants to bring law and order back;

• Well, I’m an easy going bloke unless of course…;

• You wind me up. Then I’m a bit vicious;

• I think I’ve kept myself respectable – that’s the word;

• I’ve tried to help…I’ve done my best;

• Perhaps you might consider me a bit of a fanatic;

• About… But basically I’m a good chap;

• Not too polemic…fond of…That’s me;

• When I was young I was very shy;

• I became quite good at…;

• Let’s get this straight from the start…;

• There appears to have been a slight misunderstanding here;

• I’m afraid you’ve got it all wrong;

• Actually…;

• Haven’t I already mentioned…

• I think I should point out, however…;

• If I may say so, I believe you’ve confused…;

• Am I mistaken in thinking that…;

Positive response

Negative response

Neutral response

• True…exactly…;

• I’m all out for it;

• I’m if favour of it;

• You have my whole/full support…;

• I’m giving it my backing;

• I can see no reason to oppose;

• I urge you…;

• Please, do consider my words very carefully;

• My reaction is extremely favourable;

• I can’t approve of it…;

• No, it bears no relation to…;

• I would find it difficult to (accept it);

• I’m not sure you are right about it…;

• My personal opinion is…;

• I’m inclined to think that…;

• It goes further than that…;

• That’s one way of looking at it, but…;

• You would be well advised.