PHRASES USED IN DISCUSSIONS

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

I'd like to know...

I'm interested in...

Could I ask...? [formal]

Could you tell me...? [formal]

Perhaps you could tell... [formal]

What do you think of...

Phrases for interrupting:

Excuse me...

Sorry, but...

Excuse me for interrupting, but... [formal]

May I interrupt for a moment? [formal]

Just a second... [informal]

Can I add something?

Can I say something here?

I'd like to say something, if I may. [formal]

Can I ask a question?

May I ask a question? [formal]

Phrases to use when you are explaining your opinion:

First of all,...

The main reason is...

The main thing is...

The most important thing is...

Secondly,...

The other reason is...

Another reason is...

Besides that, ...

And on top of that,...

And finally,...

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

The trouble is...

The problem is...

The trouble with...

The problem with...

The point is...

Don't forget that...

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

Do you realise that...

Believe it or not,...

You may not believe it, but...

It may sound strange, but...

The surprising thing is...

Surprisingly,...

Oddly enough,...

Funnily enough,... [informal]

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

Actually,...

The only thing is...

To tell you the truth,...

To be honest,...

Frankly,...

Phrases to use when you want to change the subject:

Talking of...

That reminds me...

By the way,... [informal]

Oh, before I forget,...

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

I think...

I suppose...

I suspect that...

I'm pretty sure that...

I'm fairly certain that...

I wonder if...

Phrases to use when you are certain of your opinion:

I'm certain that...

I'm sure that

It's my opinion that...

I'm convinced that...

I honestly believe that...

I strongly believe that...

Without a doubt...

I'm positive...

I'm absolutely certain that...

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

In my opinion,...

I personally believe...

I personally think...

I personally feel...

Not everyone will agree with me, but...

In my opinion,...

From my point of view,...

Well, personally,...

In my case...