Irene San Miguel

Teacher at EOI

Vocabulary for debates and

discussion

When you want to state an opinion:

INFORMAL FORMAL

• In my opinion____ • You know what I think... I think

• I think that_____ that____
• I feel that______ • Wouldn't you say that_______?
• I believe that______ • Don't you agree that_______?
• It seems to me that________ • I'd just like to say that______
• If you ask me_____ • I'd like to point out that_______
• I'd say that_______
• The point is________
• As I see it_______
• I'd say that______
• The point is______

When you want someone to repeat or explain:

• 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):

• 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 Informal disagreement

ascending order of formality): (between people you know
very well)
• Yes, but_____
• I disagree
• I can't agree with you
• That's not the point there
• Up to a point, but________
• You can't be serious!!
• Yes, that's quite true, but_____
• I'm not sure I quite agree
• Well, you have a point there, but_____
• Perhaps, but don't you think that_____
Irene San Miguel
Teacher at EOI

• I see what you mean, but________ • Don't be silly!

• I tend to disagree with you there

When you want to persuade someone:

• You must admit that___

• Do you really believe that_____?
• Don't you think that______?
• Don't you agree that____?
Irene San Miguel
Teacher at EOI

Postive Agreement
If you agree with someone about an opinion, you can simply say "I agree" or
"You're right." For example,
A: I think we need more time.
B: I agree. / You're right.
The words "so" and "too" are often used in expressions of positive agreement.
Note that "too" usually comes at the end of the sentence, and "so" at the
beginning.
Remember to use "question order" with so.
For example,
A: I'm in a hurry.
B: So am I. / I am too. / Me too.
A: I need to go to the bathroom.
B: So do I. / I do too. / Me too.

Negative Agreement
For negative agreement, use neither in place of "so," and either in place of
"too."
For example,
A: I'm not hungry.
B: Neither am I. / I'm not either.*
A: I don't have enough money anyway.
B: Neither do I. / I don't either.*
These expressions can also be used in the second or third person:
They're from Luxembourg.
So are we. / We are too.
Todd doesn't like spaghetti.
Neither does Louise. / Louise doesn't either.*
*Note that neither is used with "positive" verbs and either is used with
"negative" verbs.
When no verb is used in negative agreements, "neither" is more common:
Neither do I.
I don't either.
Me neither.