1. Expressions for debate
Introducing a point
It seems quite clear/obvious that…
I’m sure/ convinced/certain that
The main/ first/ basic most important / problem/point/idea is/ seems to be
Two arguments support my position/claim
Concluding
Finally In other words
Briefly, allow me to recap What is the result of all this?
Throughout this discussion, what I’ve What does all this mean?
demonstrated is that
Ultimately, then, To sum up
As a final word
It would appear, then
Let me leave you with final thought
At the end of the day, What this question boils
Why not conclude with the following note down to is…
It all boils down to
To review,
To reiterate
Importance markers
Clearly Specifically
I ought to stress that Interestingly
It has to be underlined/understood that More to the point
The core of the argument Take the case of
Significantly The primary concern is
Stalling (for time)
Well, as a matter of fact I mean to say that
Actually Frankly speaking
How shall I put it/ phrase this Quite frankly/honestly
Let me phrase/formulate/express it this way To be (perfectly) honest
Giving an opinion, stating preferences
I think… I’d like to…
In my opinion… I’d rather…

2. I’d prefer… I’m pretty sure that…
The way I see it… It is fairly certain that…
As far as I’m concerned… I’m convinced that…
If it were up to me… I honestly feel that, I strongly believe that…
I suppose… I feel strongly that,
I suspect that…
Expressing similarity
Like … Comparatively
As well as … In a similar way,
Both … and … Likewise
Just as … We can also consider the following
In the same way, … Along the same lines
Similarly, … Of equal concern is
Closely related to…is By the same token
Expressing contrast
While … On the other hand, …
…whereas … On the contrary
Agreeing
I entirely agree with his views on … I completely agree with that
I am in complete agreement with … I couldn’t agree more
I would (strongly) endorse his opinion on … That’s probably true
My findings support those of … I think there’s some truth in that
I would agree with him in principle, but … I totally approve of the idea of
By and large, I accept what he says, but … Nothing could be more true
That’s absolutely right
Disagreeing
I don’t think that… But what about …
Don’t you think it would be better … I’m afraid I don’t agree…
I don’t agree, Frankly, I doubt if…
I’d prefer… The truth of the matter is…
Shouldn’t we consider… The problem with your point of view is that…

3. The fact of the matter is… It is questionable whether
I completely disagree with him on this point It remains to be seen whether
I am in total disagreement with … I have my doubts about, It is debatable
(Regretfully), I am unable to accept his I can’t share your point of you on this, I entirely
conclusion that … reject all you say about this
Let’s face it I cannot go along with what you say
Giving an example
For example Let me give an example, Take the case of
For instance
Giving an expert opinion
According to…
To quote…
Giving reasons and offering explanations
To start with Considering…
The reason why… Allowing for the fact that…
That’s why… When you consider that…
For this reason … When all is said and done, If one weighs the
pros and cons,
That’s the reason why…
In actual fact,
Many people think…
The truth is that
Presenting something which is common sense
Everyone knows The facts speak for themselves:
If…then Few will dispute the claim that
It’s common knowledge that It is undoubtedly/undeniably true that
It is obvious (to anyone) that There is no denying that….
It is well known that/ it is a well-known fact that
Steering the debate
I wish to focus on We wish to examine in more detail
I would like to turn our attention to… I think we’re getting sidetracked
Let’s turn our attention to Can we get back to the question of…?
It is necessary to consider Can we look more closely at…?
We should take into account the following This brings us with the question of whether
points

4. Rephrasing and summarizing
Let me put it in another way Let me summarize our position
What I mean by that is … All in all, all things considered, briefly, by and
large, in any case, in any event, in brief, on the
Let me be clarify this whole, in short, in summary, in the final
So if I understand you correctly, you are saying analysis, in the long run, on balance,
that… To sum up, to summarize, finally
Making generalizations (verbs)
Tend (not) to …, have a tendency to …, be On the face of it,
inclined to
Seem to …, appear to …, It appears / seems to /
that
It would seem / appear to / that …
(Adverbs of frequency)
Usually, normally, generally Sometimes, occasionally, at times, now and
again
Regularly, often, frequently
Rarely, seldom, hardly ever
(Modifying adverbs)
Mainly, primarily, principally, chiefly, above all, overall
In general, on the whole, as a rule, largely
For the most part, mostly
Especially, particularly, notably, clearly, obviously, evidently, distinctly, plainly, noticeably, significantly,
relatively, comparatively
Somewhat, rather, fairly, quite, slightly
Starting
To start with, First/firstly, In the first place, Let us begin with
Conceding
Although (+ proposition), Despite/ in spite of (+ nom),
It is certainly true that, but I wonder whether
Undoubtedly, but It may be asserted, however, that
The other side of the coin is, however is that
The two points of view, while distinct, are not mutually exclusive.
It cannot be denied that …but it remains to be seen whether