Vocabulary for debates and
discussion
When you want to state an opinion:
INFORMAL
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In my opinion____
I think that_____
I feel that______
I believe that______
It seems to me
that________
If you ask me_____
I'd say that_______
The point is________
As I see it_______
I'd say that______
The point is______
FORMAL
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You know what I think... I think
that____
Wouldn't you say that_______?
Don't you agree that_______?
I'd just like to say that______
I'd like to point out that_______
When you want someone to repeat or explain:
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I don't understand what you mean
Would you explain that, please?
I'm sorry, but I didn't understand your point.
Could you give an example?
What do you mean by_____?
When you want to agree with someone (in ascending order of formality):
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You're right
I think so, too
I agree with you
You could be right
I couldn't agree more
That's a good point
I couldn't agree more
I see what you mean
That's just what I was thinking
I agree entirely
You know, that's exactly what I think
When you want to disagree with someone
(in ascending order of formality):
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Informal disagreement
Yes, but_____
(between people you know
I disagree
very well)
That's not the point
No, I think you're wrong
Up to a point, but________
 I can't agree with you
Yes, that's quite true, but_____
there
I'm not sure I quite agree
 You can't be serious!!
Well, you have a point there, but_____
 Come off it!
Perhaps, but don't you think that_____
 Don't be silly!
I see what you mean, but________
I tend to disagree with you there
When you want to persuade someone:
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You must admit that___
Do you really believe that_____?
Don't you think that______?
Don't you agree that____?
In pairs, discuss the topics below:
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space travel is a complete waste of money
the Internet is making face-to-face communication obsolete
there should be a 50km speed limit on ALL roads
English is a very easy language to master
all motorists should be obliged to wear seatbelts
putting wild animals in cages in zoos is cruel
women are worse drivers than men
Topics for group discussion or debate:
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Money invested in space travel should be better invested in helping the
poor and needy
Experimenting on animals in laboratories is cruel
Genetic engineering is nothing but a violation of the laws of nature
Cloning could have disastrous consequences for mankind in the future
The energy crisis is 'necessary' to maintain the world balance in power
Man is his own worst enemy
There is always a price to pay in protecting the environment
In the 21st century mankind will regress to primitive levels of existence
Animals should not be kept in captivity
It is right to meddle with Nature
Too much knowledge is a dangerous thing
We hope 'teaching machines' will replace teachers
Man descended from the apes
Time is relative
Any method is justifiable if the aim is to preserve life
Books are better than Television