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…
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…
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
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

Expressions for debate

  • 1.
    Expressions for debate Introducinga 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 ofthe 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 Letme 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