Giving Opinions

Giving Opinions Participating in a meeting or discussion Asking for Opinions What are your views …. What’s your opinion ….. What do you think….. How do you feel… Do you think… Giving Opinions I’m (quite) sure… I’m (absolutely) convinced that… I really think… From a (…) point of view… In my opinion… I think… Giving Opinions I’m (quite) sure… (S) I’m (absolutely) convinced that…(S) I really think… (S) From a (…) point of view… In my opinion… I think…(W) Agreeing with Opinions Yes, I agree completely. Yes, definitely. I agree. I’d go along with that. Yes, you have a point there. I second that. Absolutely! Agreeing with Opinions Yes, I agree completely. (S) Yes, definitely. (S) I agree. I’d go along with that. Yes, you have a point there. I second that. Absolutely (S) Disagreeing In my opinion, that’s out of the question. I’m afraid I disagree completely. I’m afraid I can’t agree with that idea. Sorry, but I don’t agree. I’m afraid that’s not how I see it. Disagreeing In my opinion, that’s out of the question. (S) I’m afraid I disagree completely. (S) I’m afraid I can’t agree with that idea. Sorry, but I don’t agree. I’m afraid that’s not how I see it. Expressing reservations or doubts I agree with you up to a point… You could be right, but… Maybe, but… That might be true, but… But on the other hand… You have a point, but don’t you think… Express Yourself All young people should do twelve months’ military or community service after finishing school. University education should be free. The state should pay the cost of students’ accommodation, food, and books. Oil companies should research and develop alternative energy sources to ensure future profitability. Unemployed people who live on social welfare should do some kind of work for the money they receive. Participating in a meeting Opening Stating objectives Beginning the discussion Interrupting Asking for clarification Checking agreement Moving on Concluding Summarizing Closing Opening and Stating Objectives Right, shall we start. OK. Let’s start. (I) Come to order. (F) The aim of this meeting is to… In this meeting we need to decide… Beginning the Discussion Rosa, would you like to start? Could you begin, Eric? Do you want to get the ball rolling Alice? Interrupting and Clarification Just a minute, Rosa I don’t quite follow you. Could I just ask something? Before you go on, could I say something? Excuse me. Could I come in here. Sorry, Eric, I don’t quite follow you. Could you explain what you mean by…? Would you mind repeating that? Could you go over that again? Moving On & Keeping your Turn Can we get back to the main point? So, lets move on to the next topic/point. Excuse me can I finish my point, then you can comment. Coming back to the main issue. Checking Agreement & Concluding So are we all in agreement? Do we all agree then? So, that is agreed then. Well I think that’s everything. Is there anything else you want to discuss? Summarizing and Closing So, to sum up… We’ve agreed that… Good, let’s call it a day, then. Pronunciation Could you explain that again? Could you begin James? Excuse me. Could I come in here? Can we get back to the main point? Would you mind repeating that? Could you go over that again? Negotiations Your company wants to expand its operations. Meet to decide how and where this expansion would be best done to maximize future profits. Call a meeting to decide on ways to improve employee performance and productivity. Discuss ways to do this and decide on the one your company should implement.