- Can I talk to you for a minute?
- Can I ask you something?
- Do you mind if I ask you something?
- I need to talk to you for a minute.
- I have to tell you something.
- There's something I need to tell you.
- There's something I think you should know.
- We need to talk.
What do you mean?/ What do you mean by…?
Do you mean (that)…?/ Does that mean (that)…?
What exactly does that mean?
What are you saying/ trying to say?
Don’t you mean…?
What (exactly) does that …mean?
Could/Would you explain this word, please?
‘Trade convention’?/ ‘Curriculum’?/ etc. (echoing the problem word with a question intonation)
Sorry, I didn’t understand (the word)…
Sorry, I’m lost.
Sorry, I’m afraid you’ve lost me there.
Sorry, I don’t/didn’t quite follow you/ what you were saying about…
I’m not sure I understand/ follow you.
I’m afraid I don’t understand.
I don’t quite see what you mean/ what you’re getting at, I’m afraid.
I’m sorry, I’m not quite clear on…
I don’t get you/it/the point.
In case you don’t know the answer
- I don’t know.
- I don’t know anything about that.
- I haven’t thought about that.
If the question is too vague
- I’m sorry, could you be more specific?
- What do you mean exactly?
- What’s the point?
Speaking 1: What’s the point?
- How many are there in your family?
- What’s the most important thing in your life?
- What is/was your GPA in university?
- Do you have a girlfriend/ boyfriend?
If you need time to think
- Hmm, let me see…
- Let me think about that.
- Well…Good question.
If you don't understand
- Pardon me? Could you please repeat that?
- I don’t understand.
- I didn’t hear what you said.
- What does that mean?
Speaking 2: Pardon me?
- Do you believe in ESP?
- Have you ever been to a BYOB party?
- What’s the purpose of life?
- What do you think of MLI?
If you feel your English is not good enough
- I know what you’re talking about, but it’s difficult for me to explain in English.
- I’m not sure if I can answer properly in English, but let me try.
If the question is too personal or rude
- I’m sorry, I’d rather not say.
- That’s a little personal.
- I’d rather not talk about it.
- It’s none of your business.
Speaking 3: It’s none of your business!
- How many men/women have you kissed?
- Are you a good kisser?
- How much money do you make?
- Can you explain the meaning of “yin & yang”?
- What grosses you out?
- This is a great effort but…
- You did fine but…
- Do you think that you can make some changes next time?
- I think it might be better if you’d…
- As a friend, I think I should tell you…
Sample Dialog
A: What do you think of my presentation?
B: Everything looked great, but you might want to think through the presentation next time.
A: What’s wrong with it?
B: I think it’s too flashy for a serious topic. As a friend, I think I should tell you to try to modify it a bit.
A: Thanks. I appreciate your concern.
Expressing opinion
- I (personally) think/believe/feel…
- Personally, I believe/think/feel…
- I honestly feel…
- In my (personal) opinion/view…
- I imagine/suppose/reckon…
- Do know what I think? I think…
- As I see it…
- The way I look at it/see it…
- It appears/seems to me…
- To my mind…
- If you ask me…
- I’d say that…
- As far as I can tell…
- Let me tell you…
- To the best of my knowledge…
- I’m pretty/quite sure that…
- I’m fairly certain that…
- It’s quite obvious that...
Expressing agreement with an opinion
- Yes/yeah.
- (Yes) it is, isn’t it?/ He does, doesn’t he?/ etc.
- Exactly/quite/absolutely/definitely.
- Right/ All right// Yes you’re right.
- That’s (quite) right/true.
- Quite so.
- Of course.
- Yes/well I suppose so.
- I agree (entirely)./ I think so, too.
- I couldn’t agree more.
- That’s just exactly what I think/thought/ was thinking.
- That’s what I was going to say.
- You took the words out of my mouth!
- That’s a good point.
- So/neither do I/ Me too.
- (Oh) by the way…
- That reminds me (of)…
- Speaking about/of…/Talking of…
- Before I forget…
- Oh, there’s something else I wanted/meant to say…/ask you…
- This has got nothing to do with what we are talking about, but…
- I know this is changing the subject but…
- Changing the subject (for minute)…
Purpose: Develop strategies to ask for repetition in order to clarify meaning
- (I’m) sorry?/ (I) (beg your) pardon?
- (I’m) sorry, I didn’t hear /catch/get/understand the last part/the part about.../the last/first word.
- Sorry, what did you say?/ what was that again?
- What was that word/the first word/ his name/ the last sentence again?
- Would/Could you repeat/ what you said/ that name/ the last word, please?
- Could you repeat that for me, please?
- Would you mind repeating that?
- Sorry, can/could you say that again please?
- Sorry, can/could you repeat it more slowly?
- Sorry, would you mind speaking a bit slower?
- Sorry, can/could you repeat it more loudly?
- I’m sorry, I couldn’t/didn’t hear (what you said).
- I’m sorry, when/who/where/what time did you say?
- Sorry, did you say…?
- What?/ You what?/ When?/ Where?/ Who?/ What kind of…?
- Hang on/ Just a minute, say that again.
- I didn’t quite catch that.
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