Showing your reaction in discussions

There are some fixed expressions which can help you to show your reaction in discussions. Make
sure you know the equivalents in your own language.
Exercise 1. Match each situation in List 1 with a suitable expression in List 2. The expressions show
different reactions in discussions.

a.
b.

Avoiding a digression
Avoiding a disagreement

Stick to the point!

Yes, but it depends what you

c.

Avoiding saying what you

mean by ...
Its difficult to say.

think
d.
Showing doubt or suspicion

I dont see what youre getting

e.

at.
Were not getting anywhere.

Showing frustration try to

speed up the discussion

f.

No way!

Showing strong disagreement

g.
Agreeing strongly
h.
Focusing on a possible

You can say that again.

Perhaps wed better agree to

disagreement

differ about that.

Exercise 2. The following expressions show disagreements of different kinds.

Match each expression in List 1 with a meaning in List 2.

Youve slightly misunderstood what

I suggested.
I refuse to accept responsibility for
that.

Dont blame me!

Dont introduce irrelevant
arguments.
You are overreacting or
exaggerating.
I am annoyed because you are
misrepresenting my ideas.
Dont argue with me about
something Im not responsible for
I am so annoyed I cant think of a

Thats not quite what I meant.

1.
Thats not my problem.
2.
Thats nothing to do with me.
Thats hardly my fault.
Thats not the point.

Thats taking things too far.

Thats not what I said at all.
1.
Thats not my problem.
Thats nothing to do with me.
Thats a ridiculous suggestion.

Contributed by Al Rip,
The British Council, 2011
The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.

Showing your reaction in discussions

reasonable response, so I just reject
what you say.

All of the expressions can be used with Its instead of Thats. If you use Thats, Thats is strongly
stressed, so the expressions sound much firmer, even a little aggressive.

Contributed by Al Rip,
The British Council, 2011
The United Kingdoms international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.