DISC US SIO N

ST RA TE G IES
 WHAT ARE
THEY?
THERE ARE CERTAIN EXPRESSIONS AND
PHRASES THAT A PARTICIPANT IN A
DISCUSSION CAN USE TO COMMUNICATE
IN A CLEAR AND EFFICIENT MANNER.

IT REVEALS CONSISTENCY AND LOGIC

IN ONE’S THINKING AND
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
PARTIALLY PARTIALLY ASKING FOR
AGREEING DISAGREEING CLARIFICATION

CATEGORIES

STATING
OPINIONS AGREEING DISAGREEING
STATING OPINIONS

• I think (that)…
• I believe (that)…
• I feel (that)…
• In my opinion…
• My opinion is that…
• The way I see the situation is that…
AGREEING
• I agree with you.
• I think so, too.
• I share your point of view.
• I could not agree more.
• That is correct.
• You are right.
• Absolutely!
• No doubt.
PARTIALLY
AGREEING/DISAGREEING

• I understand. However, …
• I agree to a certain extent.
• Yes, I can see your point of view, but…
• I cannot completely agree with you on that point.
• There are, however, two sides to every coin…
• On one hand I also think that… On the other hand I believe
that…
DISAGREEING
• I disagree.
• I would have to disagree with that.
• I do not think so.
• I have a different view on that.
• I am afraid I do not understand your point of view.
• I cannot say I share your opinion on that.
• I do not believe that is true.
• I doubt that.
• That is just nonsense.
ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION

• I am sorry but I did not quite understand your point.

• What do you mean by that?
• What do you want to say exactly?
• What is the connection between A and B?
• Why do you say that?
• How would you know that?
• Is that a fact or mere speculation?
• Do you mean that…?
• Could you please elaborate.
1
How often do you use such
phrases when communicating
in English?

2 Are there any

phrases in the list

3
Do you which you see for the
understand their first time?
meaning?

DISCUSSION STRATEGIES
RESOURCES

• Perttila-Glencairn, T. 2010. Academic and Professional English —

Reading, Writing and Spoken Communication. Finn Lectura.