Useful expressions

Expressing gratitude and responding to thanks

Expressions of gratitude Responses to thanks

 Thanks you very much for…
 I’m very much obliged to you
for…
 It is extremely good of you
to…
 I’m relly gratefull to you.
 (It’s) my pleasure.
 Delighted I was able to help.
 It was the least we could do
 You’re welcome.

Agreement Disagreement
 I can’t / couldn’t agree with you more.  Well, personally I think that…
 I couldn’t agree more.  That’s an interesting point of view, but
 You’re right. Thre’s no doubt about it. I think… ; for one thing,...
 You’re exactly right  I don’t quite agree because ...
 Exactly, I’m with you there.  That’s not the way I see it. You see...
 That’s true. I completely agree with  I disagree with what you’re saying.
you.  I may be wrong, but...
 I’m with you there. And besides …  I don’t think so.
 I can’t agree with you more. Don’t  You could be right, but don’t you think
you also think that…? that ...
 I can’t help thinking the same!  Are you kidding me?
 That’s just what I think, of course.
 Sure (informal)
 You bet! (informal)
 You can say that again. (informal)
you bet! (spoken) used instead of 'yes' to emphasize that sb has guessed sth
correctly or made a good suggestion:
'Are you nervous?' 'You bet!'
be (dead) set against sth
against doing sth: to be strongly opposed to sth:
Why are you so dead set against the idea?
Introducing yourself Making offers
 Hello! / Hi! I’m… I’m from…  How about…?
 My name’s…, by the way.  Can’t I get you something to drink? /
 How do you do? I’m… Nice to meet Could I get you a drink?
you.  Would you like something to eat?

Checking if you know sb Commenting on the situation

 Well, Idon’t think we’ve met. My  It’s a great party, isn’t it?
name’s …  Isn’t it a great / lovely party?
 Haven’t I seen you at …’s?  The music sounds great, doesn’t it?
 You’re a friend of…’s, aren’t you?

For heaven’s sake, calm down!

for Christ's, God's, goodness', heaven's, pity's, etc. sake used to emphasize that it is
important to do sth or when you are annoyed about sth:
Do be careful, for goodness' sake. * Oh, for heaven's sake! * For pity's sake, help me!
- Could I speak to ____, please?
I’m sorry. She/he’s not here at the moment. Can I take a message?
- Do you mind if I make a phone call
No, of course not. The phone is in the next room.
- The phone’s ringing. I’m busy.
It’s OK. I’ll get it.
- Don’t disturb me at this time of night.
Don’t hang up on me. We must talk!
 Excuse me. Is anyone sitting here?
No, no, of course not.
 I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.
Oh, that’s all right.
by the way (spoken) used to introduce a comment or question that is not directly
related to what you have been talking about:
eg: By the way, I found that book you were looking for. * What's the time, by the way?
* Oh by the way, if you see Jackie, tell her I'll call her this evening.

For
 I think … is quite acceptable.
 I think… is very good / OK.
 That’s a great idea!
 ……is terrific! / fantastic! /
wonderful! / great!
Against
 I must say … is quite unacceptable.
 I’m (dead) against….
 Surely not!
 That’s not a good idea.
 … is terrible / awful.

 … is coming round the corner / coming (very) near / approaching.

 Could you tell me / us more about?
 We spend time / are busy + V-ing

Why…? Someone says / said (that)…

Because… I am / was told (that)…
Well, the thing is,… What I hear / heard from… is/ was (that)…
If I could explain… Acording to…
…so as (not) to… As far as I am informed…
…in order (not) to…

Asking people to clarify Saying something in another way

I don’t quite understand. That means… / I mean…
What exactly do you mean? What I mean is, …
What does that mean? In other words,…
Let me put it another way.
Let me give you an example.

Facts
According to the lastest statistics,...
Research findings prove that...
The news said that...

# I must say...
I must say I’d rather do st
I prefer ... to ...
 Apologies and regrets
 Pardon me, please,
for ...
 I hope you’ll forgive
my ...
 Please accept my
apologies for...
 I apologize for ...
 Excuse me for ...
 I’m sorry. I didn’t
mean to ...
 I’m very / really /
awfully sorry ...
 Sorry about ...
 Oh! Sorry!
 Sorry about that.
Giving advice
 Maybe you should ...
 Well,I think ... should ...
Interrupting politely
Sorry to interrupt, but...
Excuse me for interrupting, but...
May I ask something?
Can I say something here?
Can I add something?
Can I ask a question?
Evoking opinions
 What do you think about ... ?
 What’s your opinion on/ about?
 How do you feel about...?
 Are you opposed to / in favor of ...?
 I’d be interesting to know your
thoughts on...
Giving compliments
 Amazing! You’re made an
excellent...!
 Congratulations! You played ...
so well!
 Your parents must be proud of
your...!
 Your little sister is so cute!
 How adj your ... is!
 You’ve done a good job!
Response
 I’m glad you like it.
 Thank you.
 Your compliment is
encouraging.
Giving comments
 It’s nice of you to say so.
Well, if you ask me ...
I (don’t) think that...
The good/bad point is ...
As I see it...
I’d like to point out that...
Returning to the topic
♣Anyway,...
♣Let’s get back to what I
was saying, ...
♣Where was I? Well, ...
Expressing opinions
 In my view,...
 The point I’m making is...
 In my opinion, we
must/should/need/ought to...
 It seems to me that...
 I (strongly/ firmly/ really) believe /
think / feel that...
 Personally / Frankly, I (don’t) think ....
 Surprise or excitement
 I don’t believe it!
 Well, that’s very surprising!
 It’s very exciting!
 That’s amazing!
 How exciting / marvelous / terrific /
fantastic!
Disappointment
 That’s very disappointing.
 I’m rather/very disappointed, (I must
say).
 What a pity / disappointment!
 It’s a real shame / pity / letdown!