Useful expressions

Here you have a list of expressions which can come in handy when doing the oral examen. Learn at least a couple of them by category and put them into practice.

TIP 1 SPEAKING: REACT NICELY.

Try to always react to the question or topic you are asked or to the argument your examiner is giving to you when collaborating.

• • With surprise:

    • Well, actually never HAVE I thought of this before

    • Ok…this is a pretty interesting question

    • That’s a strong opinion…

    • As a matter of fact, ….

    • This is a pretty difficult topic

    • Indeed, it’s food for thought!

    • Wow, that’s definitely puzzling/unsettling/amazing/tough/a quandary (a dilemma)/ a strong opinion/statement

• • With agreement:

    • Sounds right

    • True

    • Indeed

    • Hm, certainly

    • I see what you mean

    • I see your point

    • I understand

    • I can see your point,

    • I know what you mean,

    • I see what’s your thought,

    • I completely agree/ I see eye to eye with you

    • I agree with you up to a point/ I think along your lines

TIP 2 SPEAKING: REFORMULATE

When you need to buy some time or you are not sure you understood, you can paraphrase or reformulate the topic or the idea your examiner has given.

• So, basically, what you mean is that….

• So, you’re saying…

• You mean…

• Are you saying…

• If I’ve understood, you think…

• So would you say…

• Do you mean to suggest that…?

• So, if I get it right, you are saying/mean than…

• Let me get it straight, you are saying that…

• So, in other words, what you are saying is …?

• Are you saying/suggesting that …?

• Essentially what are the main points to bear in mind …?

• Basically, your main point is …

TIP 3 SPEAKING: COLLABORATE (Exercise 3)

In task 3 it is recommendable to pose some questions (not too many) the examiner about the topics which are being discussed. It is also a way to move forward when talking.

• Aham, and what do you think about the next item…?

• I see what you mean. What about the following….?

• Indeed, on the other hand…… . Do you see my point?

• What do you think?

• Do you see eye to eye with me?

• Do you see what I mean?

• What’s your take on this?

• Have you considered…?

• Would you agree that…?

• And what about…?

• What about…? Don’t you think that might be another option?

TIP 4 SPEAKING: GIVE YOUR OPINION IN DIFFERENT WAYS

When you are giving your opinion, make sure you use synonyms and different ways to refer to it.

• As I see it…

• I agree up to a point, however as far as I’m concerned…

• Personally, to my mind…

• I believe/reckon that…

• As far as I am concerned, ….

• The way I see it, …

• If you ask me, …

• I would say that…

• It seems to me that…

• In my view…

TIP 5 SPEAKING: AGREE IN DIFFERENT WAYS

• I see along your lines

• We are on the same page

•  I see eye to eye with you

• I completely agree with it

• I couldn’t agree more

• Indeed, this is definitely what I think as well

TIP 6 SPEAKING: LEARN USEFUL EXPRESSIONS IF YOU GET NERVOUS

Make sure you know how to get back on track if you lose the thread of your thoughts or if you make a mistake and are aware of it. The examiner will value your autocorrections positively.

• I am sorry, I lost the train of my thoughts….so what I basically mean is….

• Sorry, I meant “people are” not “people is”.