ESSENTIAL LANGUAGE

INTRODUCING

The first point I would like to raise is this:

Our position is the following:
I’d like to deal with two points here. The first is…
It is a fact that…
There are three/several/a number of points I’d like to make:
I would like to begin by…
Let me begin by pointing out…. And besides
To begin/start with - next – lastly/finally,
Everyone knows that…

TO ORDER A SEQUENCE OF ARGUMENTS:

• Let me begin by pointing out - and besides in addition to this
• Firstly - secondly – finally /to begin/start with - next – lastly
• First of all - and also
• Furthermore / moreover
• Essentially, the problem is …and in addition to that
• Basically,
• Besides,
• Above all,

ASKING FOR AN OPINION

What’s your opinion of…?
What is your position / view on…?

GIVING AN OPINION
I believe/ think/feel that…(more neutral)
In my opinion/view…
As I see it,
To my mind,
It seems to me that… ( more tentative)
I have the feeling / the impression that…
I am sure that
I am convinced that ...(strong)
Certainly / surely / possibly

BRINGING IN ANOTHER SPEAKER

I’d like to call on Mrs. Kelly to present her views on…
Allow me to give the floor to Ms. Redgrave.
AGREEING
I agree entirely/completely.
We agree/admit/grant/acknowledge…
I couldn't agree more.
I think you're quite right.
I see your point but…
That may be true but…
There is some truth in what you say but…
That's exactly what I think.

AGREEING PARTIALLY
I would tend to agree with you on that.
I agree with you on the whole, but…
I see what you’re saying, but…
That seems reasonable but/ and also…
You make a valid point,
There is another point to consider though,
That is a great idea, but also…

DISAGREEING
I’m sorry, but I really can’t agree with you on that.
With all due respect, I must disagree.
That's not how I see it.
We’ll have to disagree (on that point)
I don't think so.
I disagree (completely).
I don't agree at all.

DISAGREEING TACTFULLY
I agree up to a point but…
I agree to a certain degree but…
To a certain extent I agree with you, but…
That’s one way to look at it…

PARTIAL DISAGREEMENT
I don't quite agree here.
I cannot accept the view/idea that…
Although/while X has a point,
Nevertheless / still / even so,
Yet,
However,
While…
INTERRUPTING
Excuse for interrupting,
If I may just interrupt for a moment, I’d like to…
I don’t want to interrupt, but…
I’d like to make a comment.
I’d like to get a word in here.
I wonder if I might comment on that last point.

TO EXPRESS AND QUALIFY AN ARGUMENT

That is a very important point.
That seems reasonable.
Admittedly,
This can only / not be accepted / if / on condition that / in case /
Unless…
That’s not the issue here.
That’s beside the point.
The way we see it,

TO DISCUSS PROS AND CONS:

On the one hand… on the other hand,
There are two sides to this question:
The downside is…
I’d like to focus on a point the other side has failed to address.
Our opponents have claimed…

TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS

I'd like to hear other ideas on this.
Any suggestions?
What do you recommend / suggest?
It might be a good idea to…
I think we should…
Have you thought of ... +gerund /noun

TO GIVE REASONS
This is due to…
There is no reason why…
Because…
Since/as…

SUMMARIZING
Briefly, the main points that have been made are…
To sum up then, there seems to be…
In conclusion, let me say that…
To sum up / To conclude / in conclusion,
Therefore,