I’ve started a new edition of my Speaking Exam Phrasebook, and instead of posting it all at once, at first I’ll post it in instalments. Watch this space for the final version 😉
Today – some phrases you can use in various Speaking Exams such as IELTS or the Cambridge First or Advanced papers. It’s designed as something you can slowly go through while you’re on the bus or tram, or you can print it out and highlight phrases you’d like to practice.
[Download the mobile-friendly eBook by clicking on the image below]
10 USEFUL PHRASES TO KICK OFF:
1. I really think that…
2. What I think is that..
3. I reckon that..
4. I have to say that..
5. I feel that…
6. I believe that..
7. I’m sure that..
8. Don’t you think that..?
9. So it looks like we agree on that.
10. So what do you think?
A BIGGER LIST INCLUDES:
I think that..
I definitely think that..
I really think that..
I really do think that…
You’d think that..
What I think is that..
I was just thinking that…
I tend to think that..
I don’t think that…
What do I think?
I reckon that…
I believe that…
I don’t believe that..
I’m sure that…
I’m not sure that..
If you asked me, I’d say…
I’d hope that…
I’d say that…
I have to say that…
I’m sure you`ll agree that…
GIVING AN OPINION `MORE STRONGLY`
I firmly/strongly believe that…
I’m convinced that…
As far as I`m concerned,…
I can guarantee you that..
SOUNDING A BIT MORE FORMAL
My opinion is that…
In my view,…
My view is that..
I take the view that…
I would hope that…
I would say that…
What are your thoughts on this?
What are your views?
EMPHASISING THAT IT’S A PERSONAL OPINION
Personally,…
As I see it,…
Just from my personal point of view,..
For me,…
I feel that…
My feeling is that…
ASKING SOMEONE FOR THEIR OPINION & VIEWS
What do you think?
So do you think that..?
D’you think that..?
What do you reckon?
How do you see it?
What’s your take on this?
TAKING SOMETHING INTO ACCOUNT
Considering….,…
Taking into consideration…
Having considered these points, …
Taking into account (X), I believe that..
Taking this/that into account..
REFERING TO OTHER SOURCES/’DISTANCING’ AN OPINION
According to…
Apparently..
(x) says that…
It’s been reported that..
If you want to print out the eBook version, there’s a link below:
Or get you can get the traditional PDF version here:
Hi, David.
Thanks so much for that PDF. It’s really useful.
I’m currently teaching a C1-level class and that is something I can use with my students. Naturally, they have to talk extensively about any topic at this level so giving opinions is a big part of that.
Hi Francisco!
Nice to hear from you. As you can tell, I haven’t written as much since I came back to Australia. But I’ve been thinking more and more about adding new materials to the site.
One PDF which you might not have noticed – an update of an earlier post – is on weekend phrases:
http://getintoenglish.com/weekend-phrases-small-talk/
How are you finding teaching C1?!
David
Hi, David.
I’ll check out that PDF on weekend phrases.
Teaching C1 is much better than teaching an English class at Secondary School. I’m currently teaching at an Official School of Languages (a language school provided by the state). My students are motivated and want to express themselves in English as best they can, although their level is still closer to B2 than to C1.
I’ll be visiting your site more often, taking advantage of all the useful stuff. I hope you’re doing great in Australia. As you know, I live in sunny Spain, so warm regards from up here 🙂