Managing the Discussion – Sharing Ideas

Key expressions

Managing the discussion

  • So let’s get started.
  • The purpose of today’s meeting is …
  • Can I suggest we come back to …?
  • Coming back to …
  • I’ll get onto that in a moment.

Involving people

  • Perhaps you’d like to talk us through …
  • Did you want to talk about …?

Asking / giving permission to speak

  • Would this be the right moment to mention …?
  • Could I just say something?
  • If I could just come in there …
  • Go ahead.

In-Company English Lessons with Native British Teachers

Putting forward unpopular ideas

  • I know you’re not keen on it, but …
  • You probably won’t like this idea …
  • I’m not sure what your feelings are about this, but …

Putting forward ideas under consideration

  • We were wondering if …
  • Something else we’ve been thinking about is …

Putting forward ideas you are confident about

  • I’m sure you’ll understand the need to …
  • The obvious solution to this problem must be to …

Disagreeing / expressing reservation

  • It’s interesting you should say that, because actually …
  • You’re absolutely right, but …

Skype English Lessons with Native British Teachers