2. STARTING
Good morning/afternoon/evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Shall we begin.
Let’s get started then.
There are three/several/a number of points I’d like to make.
I would like to begin by ….
3. INTRODUCTION OF TOPIC
• I intend to talk about X
• I would like to tell you what I have learned
about X
• My paper is concerned with X
• The seminar paper that I am presenting is on
X
• My topic is X
4. METHOD OF PRESENTATION
• I intend to divide this talk into … parts: A, B, C
and D
• The way I am going to present my paper is by
grouping A and B together and then giving
several examples.
• I propose to present my paper in several
stages: firstly, a review of A, then an attack on
B, and finally an analysis of C.
5. STATING THE CONTENT OF THE PAPER
• Well, to start at part A,
• OK then, let’s go back to start with my first
point.
• Right then. To begin with ….
6. CONNECTING THE PARTS OF THE PAPER
• Well, that’s all I want to say about A. Shall we
turn now to part B.
• Unfortunately because of the shortage of
time, I will have to leave part A there and go
on to B.
• Perhaps we can come back to talk about part
A a little more later on, but for now I’ll have to
stress on with part B.
7. CONCLUDING / SUMMARIZING
• Finally,
• In conclusion,
• So, as you can see, my research is about these
areas ….
• The final point I wish to make is ….
• To sum up then, ….
• Briefly, the main points that have been made
are ….
8. INVITING QUESTIONS
• I’ll be happy to answer any questions now.
• If you have any questions, I’ll try my best to
answer them.
• Please feel free to ask me any questions.
• Do you have any questions or comments?
9. ASKING FOR AN OPINION
What’s your opinion of ….
What’s your position / view on ….
GIVING AN OPINION
I believe/think/feel that ….
In my opinion/view ….
BRINGING IN ANOTHER SPEAKER
I’d like to call on Mr/Mrs L to present her views on ….
Allow me to give the floor to Ms G
10. AGREEING
• I agree entirely/completely.
• I think we are in agreement on that.
AGREEING PARTIALLY
• I would intend to agree with you on that.
• I agree with you on the whole, but …
DISAGREEING TACTFULLY
• I agree up to a point, but …
• To a certain extent I agree with you, but ….
DISAGREEING
• I’m sorry, but I really can’t agree with you on that.
• With all due respect, I must disagree.
11. INTERRUPTING
• If I may just interrupt you for a moment, I’d like to ….
• I don’t want to interrupt, but ….
TAKING THE FLOOR
• I wonder if I might comment on that last point?
• Could/may I come in at this point?
CORRECTING MISUNDERSTANDINGS
• I’m afraid there seems to have been a slight misunderstanding.
• Perhaps I should make that clearer by saying ….
ASKING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
• Could you be a little more specific/precise?
• I’m sorry, but could you explain in a little more detail?
12. EVADING THE ISSUE
• That’s a very interesting/complex question and ….
• I’m afraid I’m not in a position to comment on that just yet.
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS, PROPOSALS AND SUGGESTIONS
• I recommend/propose/suggest that …
• I wonder if we shouldn’t think about ….
PERSUADING
• Have you taken into account….?
• Wouldn’t you agree that …?
EMPHASIZING
• I particularly want to emphasize/stress/highlight the fact that …
• We mustn’t underestimate/underrate the importance of ….
13. OFFERRING A COMPROMISE
• We are prepared to …, on condition that ….
• We would be willing to ….., provided that ….
