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Debate Topics for Business English

 

Useful Expressions for Discussion and Debate

Giving an Opinion
In my opinion…

I think…
The way I see it…
According to…
As far as I’m concerned…
Asking for an Opinion
What do you think?

Do you agree?
What are your thoughts on this?

 

Agreeing
I completely agree. (strong)

You’re absolutely right. (strong)
I couldn’t agree more. (strong)
Exactly.
You’re right.
I agree.
I guess so. (weak)
You could be right. (weak)
You may have a point there. (weak)
Disagreeing
I completely disagree. (strong)

I totally disagree. (strong)
I disagree.
That’s not always true.
That’s not always the case.
I’m not so sure about that. (weak)
I don’t know if I agree with you. (weak)

 

Acknowledging someone’s argument and presenting yours
I agree with you, but…

That may be true, but…
I see your point, but…
I guess so, but…
That’s not necessarily true because…
Not necessarily because…

 

Countering  Directly
But…

But why…?
But if…
But what about…

 

Interrupting
Sorry to interrupt, but…

Can I add something?
Sorry, you were saying… (after interrupting someone)
Please let me finish (after being interrupted)

 

Redirecting
Let’s get back to…

Getting back to…
You were saying that…

For more topics to get your students talking, please see these business English conversation lessons.

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