Phrases for the Second Year Seminar

During the course of the year we will talking about and discussing the various issues. In order to make it easier for you to make yourself understood we will be learning various phrases that are commonly used in English conversations and discussions. Many of these have very little meaning on their own, but if you never use these phrases when you speak, you will sound unnatural and even rude. The phrases are divided into the following sections:

These sections are just to give you an idea of when to use the phrases, it may be possible to use them in various other situations. Some of the phrases are more formal, others are less formal: those phrases that are formal have [formal] after them, those phrases that are informal have [informal] after them.

Phrases for Starting a conversation or discussion, and for asking someone's opinion:

Phrases for interrupting:

Phrases to use when you are explaining your opinion:

Phrases to use when you want to refer to a point in someone's argument:

Phrases to use when you want to say something you think is new information:

Phrases to use when what you are going to say may surprise or shock:

Phrases to use when you want to change the subject:

Phrases to use when giving your opinion, but when you are not certain:

Phrases to use when you are certain of your opinion:

Phrases to use when you want to emphasize that what you are going to say is your own opinion:

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