SPEAKING – Useful
language
TO DESCRIBE PHOTOGRAPHS
Similarities:
As we can see…in both pictures… / In both pictures we can see…
These two pictures/situations are similar because/in that… / One thing that these two
pictures/situations have in common is that…
One similarity between these two pictures/situations is that…
Another similarity might be that… / The most obvious similarity is that…
One thing that these two pictures share is that…
These two pictures share the fact that…
Both pictures (…) in the same way
Differences:
The top picture shows...The bottom picture shows... / In the picture above it looks as
if...In the one below it looks like...
In one photo there are...In the other photo there are... / This picture shows... but that
one...
In the first picture…whereas in the second one… / While the first picture …, the second
one… / The first picture…. However, the second one… / The first picture… whereas the
second one… / Although the first picture…., the second one… / On the one hand, the first
picture shows…. On the other hand, the second one…
One difference between the pictures is that... / The biggest difference between them is
that this one... but the other one...
The right photo shows… while in the left picture…
One of the most obvious differences (between these two pictures) is that…
Another difference is that…
Something that makes these two pictures different is…
What makes these two situations (so/completely) different is…
GIVING YOUR OPINION – Common phrases
I reckon that… Look, here’s what I think… I’m (pretty/absolutely)
sure that…
I definitely think that… I really believe that…
I’d say that…
I really do think that… It seems that…
Well, it’s just that…
What I think is that… I have to say that…
I suppose…
I really don’t think that…
I guess… I’d argue that…
EMPHASIZING IT’S YOUR OPINION
Personally, … My view is that… Taking into consideration… I
think that…
For me, … I feel that…
Taking into account… I
My feeling is that… In my opinion…
believe…
As for me, … Just how I see it, …
Considering…
To my mind, … I must say that…
Having considered these
If you ask me, … Considering something points, we believe that…
when giving your opinion
As I see it, …
REFERRING TO WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID OR REPORTED
According to… As (John) has said, …
I hear that… It’s been reported that…
Well, I’ve heard that… Apparently, …
A few people have said that…
GIVING AN OPINION MORE STRONGLY
I firmly | strongly believe that…
I am convinced that…
As far as I’m concerned, … When you are doubtful:
Referring to your experience or I doubt…
knowledge:
I have my doubts about…
I find that…
I’m doubtful…
I often find that…
I’m not so sure…
In my experience, …
Other patterns:
Looking back, …
It’s not that (it’s expensive), it’s that (it’ll
With the benefit of hindsight, I’d say… take too long to implement) …
Just because (it’s expensive), doesn’t mean What I find most (interesting) is that…
that (we shouldn’t do it).
One thing which I find (interesting) is that…
STARTING YOUR DISCUSSION One of the most (interesting) points is
that…
Shall/May I start? / Yeah, go on.
Shall I go first? / Of course, go ahead.
Is it okay if I start? / Sure, no problem.
Would you like to go first/start? / Yes, why not?
ASKING WHAT SOMEONE ELSE THINKS
So, what do you reckon? Do you think it’s right that...?
Well, what do you think? Do you agree?
What do you think of...? Do you have anything to say about that?
Have you thought much about...? Do you have anything to add to that?
What are your views? Did I forget anything?
What’s your opinion on this?
AGREEING WITH YOUR PARTNER
I (totally) agree with you I couldn’t agree more I think so, too
You’re dead right Yes, I see what you mean I agree (up to a point)
That’s (absolutely) true/right I see it that way, too That's just what I was
thinking.
You’re (absolutely) right Yes, of course
That’s a great idea
DISAGREEING WITH YOUR PARTNER
I’m afraid I don’t see it the same way You may be right, but I have a different
view
I’m sorry, but I have to disagree / don’t
agree / I (completely) disagree I really don’t think so
That’s not right/true I'm not so keen on that
(Well) Maybe, but what about...? Yeah, but the thing is...
I think it would be better to... The problem with what you said is…
TURN TAKING
Shall we move on to…? Let’s consider How about…?
And what about…? Why don’t we look at…?
CONCLUDING THE DISCUSSION
I believe we have an agreement, don’t we? Shall we stick to…?
So, do we have an agreement? Shall we agree on…?
ASKINGFORCLARIFICATION
Sorry,I’mnotsurewhatyoumean I’mnot (quite)surewhatIhavetodo
Idon’t(really)understand CanIaskaquestion?
Canyousaythatagain,please? Doyouwantmeto…?
CORRECTINGYOURSELF
WhatImeanis… WhatImeantwas… WhatI’mtryingtosayis…
