1. Xerrem en Anglès
Useful Language
B2-C1

2. Giving opinions One argument in favour of (...) is that...
I just don’t think it’s right (that)...
It would be much better if...
I think (...) should + V
I think people should have the right to
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

3. Giving the opposite opinion
Fair enough, but I still think (that)...
Yes, but then again, …
Maybe, but I don’t see how...
Well some people would argue that
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

4. Clarifying your opinion
No, that’s not what I’m trying to say
What I meant was...
No, that’s not what I meant
All I’m saying is that...
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

5. Giving yourself time to think
Um, let me think
I’ve never really thought about that
That’s an interesting point
It’s hard to say
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

6. Asking for permission to interrupt
Sorry to interrupt you, but...
Excuse me, but...
Could I say something
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

7. Agreeing and disagreeing
I agree (with you) // I don’t agree (with you)
I completely agree that…
I partly (dis)agree that…
I completely / totally (dis)agree that…
I agree with this – I agree with Juan
I think you are right – I think that’s right
I don’t think you are right – I don’t think that’s right
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

8. Starting a story or anecdote
I’m going to tell you about…
This happened a few years ago..
When I was younger… In
Last week / month / year...
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

9. Organizing your ideas The topic I’ve chosen is First of all, …
My second point is that …
Another important point is that….
On the other hand…
Finally, …
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

10. Organizing your ideas (C1)+
First and most important, ...
The greatest benefit is that… -
One downside of ... Is that...
Another drawback to ... Is that...
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

11. Adding supporting information
In addition...
What is more, ...
Not only that, but
Another point in favour of...
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

12. Giving examples For example, … For instance…
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

13. Describing cause and effect (C1)
... (can) lead to ...
... (can) result in ...
...because of..
…due to…
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

14. Making suggestions What about....? (followed by V-ing or NP)
What about going to the cinema?
How about...? (followed by V-ing or NP)
How about a diferent place?
Shall we...? (followed by infinitive without TO)
Shall we go to the cinema?
We could...
We could go to the beach
Why don’t you / we ...?
Why don’t we stay here?
Let’s...
Let’s play a game!
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

15. Reacting to what people say
Oh no!
I don’t believe it!
You’re kidding!
What a pitty!
Never mind!
How fantàstic!
Wha a great idea!
That’s great news!
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

16. Keep a conversation going
Why’s that?
Like what, exactly?
How do you mean?
Such as?
How come?
In what way?
Also any kind of short question with this form QUESTION WORD + PREPOSITION?
Who with? / What for? / Where to? / How long for?...
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

17. Adding emphasis The thing I (don’t) like about ... is...
One thing I love / hate about... is...
What I admire about... is..
The thing that amazes me about... is...
One thing that annoys me about... is...
What worries / upsets me about … is …
(you can combine the verbs in each group as long as you keep the underlined structures)
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

18. Adding emphasis – Inversion (C1)
Only later I could hear what he said, though only later did I understand...
Never Never had he been so unnatural and artificial, even with...
Not only Not only was Madonna an adored and controversial superstar…
Not until now Not until now have I been ready to confess…
No sooner No sooner had the campaign come to an end…
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

19. Adding emphasis – Cleft sentences (C1)
You can convey your ideas phrasing your sentences using:
In fact, it …
In fact, my husband first came up with the idea of moving here.
In fact, it was my husband who first came up with the idea of moving here
What…
If you’re work hard you get what you want, that’s what I like best.
What I like best is that if you work hard you get what you want
The reason…
I came here because I’d always wanted to go and live abroad
The reason why I came here is because I’d always wanted to go and live abroad
The…
The countryside and the BBC are the things I miss most about the UK
The things I miss most about the Uk are the countryside and the BBC
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

20. Summarising and weighing up arguments
To sum up / Summing up
In conclusion,
On balance,
On the whole,
All in all,
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

21. Making offers Would you like me to + V...? Let me + V for you
Would you like me to come round?
Let me + V for you
Let me sort that out for you
Would it + V if I V-ed
Would it help if I did that for you?
Why don’t I + V for you
Why don’t I do that for you?
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

22. Refusing offers No it’s OK, but thanks for offering
No thanks, I’d better ... do it myself / go on my own...
No, that’s OK, I can manage
No don’t worry. It would be bI did it myselfetter if ... I brought them to you / I did it myself
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1

23. Accepting offers Thanks, that would be a grat help
Are you sure you wouldn’t mind?
That would be wonderful if you could
As long as you don’t mind
Xerrem en Angles - B2 - C1