Date :

HOW TO DEBATE

DEBATING : USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

 In my …………………………….. / to my …………………………….. / to ……………… / Personally …/
I think that… / I …………………………….. that …/ I …………………… that …/ I find that …/
It…………………………….. to me that
 If you ask me…
STATING AN OPINION  The way I …………………………….. it... / I’d ………………………that…
 The …………………………….. is …
 If you …………………………….. my honest opinion....
 …………………………….. to Lisa...
 As far as I'm ……………………………..
 …………… I see it …
 My …………………………….. is that…
 I can’t …………………………….. thinking that …
 I’m convinced that…

 What's your idea /……………………………..?

 ………………………… are your thoughts ……………………… all of this?
 ……………………do you feel …………………………….. that?
 Do you have …………………………….. to say…………………………….. this?
ASKING FOR AN OPINION  What do you …………………………….. ?
 Do you …………………………….. with me ?

 You’re ……………………… / You're absolutely right.

 I …………………………….. with you.
 I …………………………….. with you 100 ……………………………... / I agree …………………………….. .
 I …………………………….. agree with you …………………………….. .
 I …………………………….. your…………………………….. of view .
 I see…………………………….. to…………………………….. with you.
 You …………………………….. be right.
 I see what you …………………………….. .
 That’s a good …………………………….. .
 That's so …………………………….. .
AGREEING WITH SOMEONE
 That's for …………………………….. .
 I think …………, too.
 That’s just what I was …………………………….. .
 You know, that’s …………………………….. what I think. / That’s exactly ………… I see it.
 Absolutely.
 That's exactly how I ……………………………..
 Exactly.
 I'm afraid I…………………………….. with James.
 I have to…………………………….. with Jack on this one.
 No doubt …………………………….. it.
 So …………………………… I / …………………… do I (agree with negative statement) ………. neither.
 (weak) I suppose so./I …………………………….. so.
  You …………………………….. a point there.
 I was just going to …………………… that.

 Yes, that’s …………………………….. true , but…

 I’m not …………………………….. I quite agree …
 No, I think you’re …………………………….. .
 I don't …………………………….. so.
 I …………………………….. approve (of)
 (strong) No …………….
DISAGREEING WITH
 I don’t …………………………….. / I ………………………… with you (about that/ with someone)
SOMEONE
 I'm …………………………….. I disagree. / I’m ……………………… but I have to disagree there.
 (strong) I …………………………….. disagree. / I …………………………….. agree with you there.
 (strong) I'd say the exact …………………………….. .
 I don’t see …………………………….. that way! / That’s not how I ……………………………. it.
 Not necessarily.
 That's not always …………………………….. .
 That’s not the …………………………….. .
 That's not always the ……………………………..
 Up………… a point, but…
 Well, you have a …………………………….. there, but …
 Perhaps, but ………………… you think that…
 I see what you ………………………. , but …

Can I add something here?

 Is it okay if I …………………………….. in for a second?

INTERRUPTING SOMEONE
 If I might …………………………….. something...
 Can I …………………………….. my two cents in?
 Sorry to …………………………….. , but...
 (after accidentally interrupting someone) Sorry, go ahead. OR Sorry, you were saying...
 (after being interrupted) You didn't let me …………………………….. .

You …………………………….. admit that…

 Do you …………………………….. believe that …?

 Don’t you think that …?
PERSUADING SOMEONE  Don’t you agree that …?
 Wouldn’t you ……………………………..that the reverse is also …………………………….. ?

I don’t understand what you ……………………………..

Would you …………………………….. that , please ?
ASKING SOMEONE TO REPEAT OR EXPLAIN I’m sorry , but I don’t understand your ……………………………..
Could you give me an …………………………….. ?
What do you mean by …?
…………………………….. you …………………………….. that again , please?