Disagreeing with someone and introducing counterarguments ■■ Well, that’s one way of looking at it – but don’t you think … ■■ I see what you mean. The way I see it, though, … ■■ I think, on the one hand, what you say is correct. On the other hand, however, I feel that … ■■ I’m not sure I can agree with you in that respect. Isn’t it also true that … ■■ I haven’t looked at it that way. What I believe is that … ■■ I can see what you’re saying, but … ■■ In some ways I agree with you, although I also think that … ■■ I wouldn’t put it quite like that. ■■ Yes, I understand, but my opinion is that … ■■ That’s all very interesting, but the problem is that … ■■ I’m afraid I can’t quite agree with your point. ■■ I think I’ve got your point, now let me respond to it. ■■ I can see what you’re saying. Here’s my reply … ■■ Sorry, I just have to disagree with your point. ■■ Let me just respond to that, please. ■■ I’d like to take issue with what you just said. ■■ I’d like to focus on one point that you have failed to address. Additional phrases for debates taken from the “Core Inventory for General English” The “Core Inventory for General English” is a very interesting document that describes what learners of English as a foreign language should be able to do at a certain language level – e.g. B1, B2, or C1 – and lists typical phrases and structures they could or should use. You do not have to speak at level C1, but it still does not hurt to take a look at the following phrases and structures. Phrases & structures [C] [D] [F] [J] 2.7 Phrases & structures [B] [C] [F] [G] 2.8 Phrases from the “Core Inventory” B2: 42 Managing interaction (interrupting, changing topic, resuming or continuing) Interrupting ■■ Actually, … ■■ I’m sorry but … ■■ Just a minute! ■■ Yes, I know, but …! ■■ Hang on! ■■ Hold on! Changing the topic ■■ Oh, by the way … ■■ That reminds me … ■■ This has nothing to do with what we are talking about but … 43 Taking the initiative in interaction Taking initiative in non-control situation ■■ I’d like to say a few words here. ■■ Perhaps I could say something here. 44 Encouraging and inviting another speaker to continue, come in Invitation in one-to-one interaction ■■ Don’t you agree? ■■ Is that okay with you? ■■ How about you? ■■ What do you reckon/think? Phrases from the “Core Inventory” C1: 30 Expressing shades of opinion and certainty ■■ I may be wrong, but I think higher inflation is almost certain. ■■ I have a feeling there may be a problem here. 35 Conceding a point ■■ I see what you mean, but … ■■ That may be true, but … 37 Defending a point of view persuasively ■■ I recognise that this may …, but … ■■ But one should not lose sight of the fact that … ■■ But surely one still needs to take X into account 38 Responding to counterarguments ■■ What you say may be true in some contexts. However, in this case … ■■ You may be right, but I still think that … ■■ There is no evidence to show that … ■■ On the contrary, … ■■ I think you have misunderstood the point I was making … ■■ I can see where you are coming from but there are problems with your analysis of the situation. ■■ In some circumstances, I would agree with you entirely, but in this case … Source: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/pub-british-council-eaquals-core-inventoryv2.pdf 23 Key aspects Strategies Sample task 2 Smart homes, smart lives Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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