DEBATING PHRASES

“Begining your presentation”

        . I’d like to begin by saying…

“Ordering your arguments”

            . Firstly, Secondly,…

            . First and foremost...

            . Furthermore / What is more…

            . In addition…

            . Not only… but also…

            . On the one hand…. On the other hand

            . Not only …...but also….

            . It’s important to remember that…

            . A further advantage of...

            . Lastly...

“Stating an opinion”

        . In my opinion….

            . I think that ….

            . I feel that….

            . I believe that….

            . It seems to me that…

            . The point is ….

            . As I see it…

            . As far as I’m concerned….

“Expressing strong opinions”

            . I am certain that…

            . Without doubt,…

            . It has long been my feeling that….

“Giving general opinions”

            . It is usually considered that...

            . It is often said that...

            . It is generally believed that...

            . On the whole, it is thought that…

            . It is said that….

“Asking 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…..?

            . Are you saying that….?

“Agreeing with someone”

            . 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 see what you mean

            . That’s just what I was thinking

            . I agree entirely

            . You know, that’s exactly what I think

“Disagreeing with someone”

        . Yes, but….

            . You can’t deny that

            . However,….

            . I’m sorry but I have to disagree there

            . That’s not the point

            . No, I think you’re wrong

            . I can’t agree with you there

            . Up to a point, but….

            . Yes, that is quite true, but….

            . I am not sure I quite agree

            . Well, you have a point there, but…

            . Perhaps, but don’t you think that…

            . I see what you mean, but…

            . I totally disagree with you there

Expressing opposing views and giving counterarguments

        . Despite the fact that…

            . Although….

            . Nevertheless / However…

            . The only problem with that is….

“Persuading someone”

            . You must admit that…

            . Do you really believe that …?.

            . Don’t you think that….?

            . Don’t you agree that…?

            . Wouldn’t you say that the reverse is also true?

“Responding to opposing points of view”

            . But this does not mean that…

            . Having said that

            . Let’s not forget that..

            . I would still say that..

            . Even so, I still believe that…

            . That does not alter my opinion that...

“Concluding”

            . To sum up…

            . I would like to conclude stating that…

            . Returning to my main point…

            . Lastly…

            . Last but not least….

            . In conclusion….

            . All in all…..