STARTER PHRASES THAT WILL MAKE YOUR ENGLISH SPEECH EASIER

1) ESTABLISHING A CONNECTION

As regards … =  With regard to … / In regard to … / Concerning … / Regarding … / In line with … / In relation to … / Relating to … / In parallel with … / In sync with …

2) TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING MORE

By the way, … = While we're on the subject, … / While on the subject, … / In passing, … / On another note, … / Speaking of somebody, … / Speaking of something, … / One could also note, … / By way of explanation, … / As it happens, … / In related manner, … / It might also be noted, … / Funnily enough, … / As an aside, … / Another thing, … / Speaking of which, …

3) REMEMBERING A SITUATION AND TAKING IT INTO ACCOUNT  

Consider the situation, … = Take into account the current situation, … / Take into consideration … / Think about … / Consider the current circumstances, … / In view of the current state, … / According to the current affairs, … / Make allowances for the current situation, … / Take into account the current state of things … / In the light of the situation at issue, … / Given the current setup, … / Bear in mind … 

4) ASKING FOR HELP 

Could you help me out here? = Can you give me a hand? / Can you back me up here, … / Give me a hand here / Could you give me a hand with this? / Lend me a hand / Help me with that / Help me on this … / Somebody help me   

5) REASSURING SOMEONE THAT THE SITUATION IS NOT SERIOUS 

Don't be apologetic = Let it go! / It is of no significance / Don't excuse yourself too much / Don't be sorry / Forget about it / It's alright / It's okay / No worries / No problem / Don't worry / Don't bother about … / Forget it! / It doesn't matter! / Don't give a second thought to it! / Don't think twice about it! / It's unimportant / Don't sweat it! / Don't worry about it / Don't concern yourself with it

6) MAKING SOMEONE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

Don't make excuses for it = Don't make apologies / Accept the consequences / Admit your faults / Don't hide behind excuses /  Don't pass the buck / Don't shift the blame / Don't evade responsibility / Don't dodge the blame / Don't make justifications / Acknowledge your mistakes / Don't avoid accountability  

7) EXPRESSING THE ONLY THING THAT PREVENTS THE STATEMENT FROM BEING ENTIRELY TRUE 

Except for him or Except for her = Apart from her or Apart from him / Other than her or Other than him / If it were not for her … or If it were not for him … / With the exception of … / With the exclusion of … / Leaving her aside or Leaving him aside / Not including her or Not including him 

8) EXPRESSING THE ABSENCE OF SOMETHING

For lack of convincing results, we go to plan B = For want of outcome, we switch over to plan B / Failing to get compelling results … / In the absence of conclusive results … / For want of persuading results / Deprived of influencing results …

9) GIVING AN OPINION

For my part … = My opinion is that … / The way I see things is that … / In my personal opinion … / As for me … / Me personally, … / Personally, … / To my mind … / In my book … / For my money … / From my own view point / For my own part … / In my own view / To my way of thinking … / As far as I am concerned … / In my judgement … / IMHO (In my humble opinion) / IMO (In my opinion) / I sense that … / I assume that … / In my experience … / I reckon (that) … / I gather (that) … / I reckon (that) … / My view is that … / I think that … / Not to mention … 

10) APOLOGIZING

Forgive me = I apologize / I beg your forgiveness / My apologies / I'm so sorry / Accept my apologies / I beg your pardon / I'm deeply sorry / I'm so sorry! / Pardon me! / Forgive me! / I owe you an apology = I owe you an excuse / I'm regretful / I can't apologize enough / I can't apologize enough / Please accept my sincerest apologies 

11) EXPRESSING THE LENGTH OF TIME

From Monday to Friday = During office hours / On weekdays / Throughout the workweek / Within the normal workweek / On business days / During normal business hours / On non-holiday workdays / On non-holiday weekdays / Within the working week / Every working day 

12) PASSING ON YOUR POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO SOMEONE 

Give my regards to family = Send my regards to family / Send my best wishes to family / Say hello to your family … / Send my compliments to your family … / Commend myself to your family

13) ENCOURAGING SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING

Go for it! = Believe in yourself! / Hang in there! / There you go! / I support you no matter what! / Give it a shot! / Give it a try! / Give it a go! / Give it a bang /  You're doing great! / Don't worry, you can do this! / Don't let me down! / The sky is the limit! / You got this! / Keep up the good work! / Hang in there! / Make me proud! 

14) EXPRESSING CONGRATULATIONS

Hats off to you! = Congratulations! / Well done / Good wishes! / Compliments! / Kudos! / Pat on the back! / Praise to the skies! / Good job! / Congrats!

15) CONFIRMING SOMETHING

I can assure you that = I can guarantee you that … / Rest assured that … / Let me tell you that … / I promise that … / Let me assure you that … / Make sure that … / Make certain that … / I give you my word that … / I pledge that … 

16) AGREEING

I agree with you = You're right / Definitely / Absolutely / Totally /  I'm with you on that / I couldn't have said it better / That makes sense / I concur with you / I feel exactly the way you do / I'll give you that / I'll grant you that / No doubt about it / For sure / You are telling me / Straight up / I couldn't agree more / I feel the same way / I'm with you there / I fully agree with you / I completely agree / You're right / It's my pleasure to agree with you

17) DISAGREEING

I can't agree with that = I do not accept that / I have to disagree / I do not agree / I don't think so / I rather disagree / I do not approve / I guess not / I run counter to that / I'm not so sure about that / We sing a different tune / I go against that / I am of a different mind / I am of a different opinion / We differ on that point / I cannot agree / 

18) EXPRESSING SIMILARITIES

I can't tell one from the other = I can't tell one from another / They are the same / They are cut from the same cloth / They are on par / They are one and the same / They are like Tweedledum and Tweedledee / They are consistent with one another / This is similar to that = This is equivalent to that / The same as … / In the style of / In the manner of / In the same way as … / On the lines of … / In a similar way to … / Tantamount to … / Identical to … / Equal to … / In the form of … / Appearing as … / With the appearance of … / In the shape of … / As good as … / Just like … / Akin to … / Resembling … / Bordering on … / Equivalent to … / Summer and Winter alike / Summer as well as Winter

19) EXPRESSING INTENTIONS

I didn't mean to do it = It was not intentional / I didn't intend for that to happen / It was not intentional / I didn't mean it / I had no ill intentions / I didn't intend any harm / I didn't mean any offense / My intentions were not malicious / I didn't mean to be unkind  

20) EXPRESSING THE ABSENCE OF CONTRADICTION 

I don't dispute that = I do not object / I don't gainsay the fact that … / I don't argue against … / I do not contradict the fact that … / I do not dispute … / I don't deny … / I don't contest … / I do not reject … / I don't controvert … / I don't oppose …

21) BEING SAFE FROM WRONGDOING

I don't want to put the blame on anybody = I don't want to blame anyone / They are blameless / They are unimpeachable / She is righteous / He is beyond criticism / They are squeaky clean / They are above suspicion

22) EXPRESSING A MANDATORY SITUATION 

I find myself forced to make a decision = I find myself compelled to … / I'm compelled to … / I'm forced to … / I'm obliged to … / I'm obligated to … / I have no other choice but to … / I'm coerced to … / I'm pressured to … / I was pushed to …

23) ADMITTING SOMETHING IS TRUE AFTER FIRST DENYING IT

I grant you that = I give you that / I concede your point / I yield to your opinion / I admit your position /  I bow to your argument / I submit to your opinion / I give credit to your perspective / I see your point / I recognize your stance    

24) MAKING A PROPOSAL

I have a proposal to make = I have a proposition to put forward / I have a suggestion to make / I have a submission to make / I have a proffer to make   

25) GIVING YOUR IMPRESSION  

I have the impression that … = I have the feeling that … / I am led to believe that … / I'm given to understand that … / I am of the opinion that … / I am of the view that … I have a sneaking feeling that … / I have a funny feeling that … / I presume that … / I have a hunch that … 

26) OWNING UP TO IT 

 I must confess that … = I must admit that … / I must own up to it that … / I must fess up that … / I must concede that … / I must say that … / I have to admit that / I have to say that …  

27) ASKING FOR INFORMATION

I need the following information = I desire the following information / I want the following information / It's important for me to get the following information / It's fundamental for me to get the following information / It's a must for me to have the following information 

28) EXPRESSING CONVERGING OPINIONS

I side with you there = I go along with you there / I join with you / I second that / I agree with what you say / I empathize with you / I am of the same mind / I comply with you / I go with you there / I accept your word / I trust you / I'm taking your word for it / I rely on your word / I'm taking you at your word / I'm taking your statement at face value / I'm inclined to believe you / I put my trust in you   

29) EXPRESSING A DESIRE

I would like to bring to your knowledge that … = I would like to bring to your attention that … / I would like to point out … / I would like to highlight … / I would like to bring attention to … / I would like to give prominence to … / I would like to draw your attention to … / I want to make you aware of … / Kindly be aware of … I would like you to direct your focus on … / I would like an explanation for this / I would like a clarification / I would like an illustration / I would like a road map  

30) EXPLAINING

I would like to give an account of the situation … = I would like to give details on … / I would like to give a rundown of … / I would like to deal with … / I would like to look into … / I would like to examine … / I would  like to tackle … / I would like to give the facts on … / I would like to comment on …   

31) EMPHASIZING

I would like to make a point = I would like to give an emphasis to … / I would like to lay stress on … / I would like to call attention to … / I would like to bring attention to … / I would like to strengthen … / I would like to focus attention on … / I would like to harp on the fact that … / I would like to bring to the fore … /  I would like to make a point of … / I would like to place emphasis on … / I would like to lay emphasis on … / I would like to put emphasis on … / I would like to make a song and dance about … / I would like to make a feature of … / I would like to let people know about … / I would like to make an issue of … / I would like to point out to you …

32) ISSUING A STATEMENT  

I would like to make an announcement = I would like to release a statement / I would like to give a statement / I would like to disclose / I would like to bring to your knowledge / I would like to inform you / I would like to bring to light / I would like to bring into the open / I would like to bring to your knowledge   

33) EXPRESSING SOMETHING YOU ASPIRE TO DO 

I would like to put in a request for equipment = I would like to send off for … / I would like to put in a claim for … / I would like to send off for / I would like to petition for … / I would like to inquire about … / I would like to whistle for … / I would like to formally request … / I would like to clamor for …  

34) CONVINCING SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING

I'll persuade her … = I'll  press her into … / I'll lead her into … / I'll wheedle her into … / I'll cause her to believe … / I'll pressure her into … / I'll talk her into … / I'll turn her on to … / I'll prod her into …     

35) SPEAKING ABOUT SOMEBODY OR SOMETHING

I'm alluding to yesterday's meeting = I'm hinting at yesterday's meeting / I'm referring to yesterday's meeting / I'm driving at yesterday's meeting / I'm getting at yesterday's meeting / I'm speaking briefly of … / I'm making allusion to …      

36) SHOWING INTENSE SURPRISE OR SHOCK

I'm at a loss for words = I'm buttoned up / I'm speechless /  I'm clammed up / I'm close-mouthed / I'm unforthcoming / I'm untalkative / I'm wordless / I'm unable to get a word out / I'm bereft of speech / I'm tongue-tied / I'm tight-lipped / I'm nonplussed / I'm at sixes and sevens / I'm puzzled / I'm bemused / I'm gobsmacked / I'm flabbergasted / I'm thunderstruck / I'm bowled over / I'm stunned

37) EXPRESSING HESITATION

I'm expressing reservations about this idea = I'm bogged / I'm hemmed and hawed / I'm dilly-dallied / I'm sitting on the fence / I'm pulled back / I had reservations about … / I'm blowing hot and cold / I'm staying in the background / I have hesitations about …  

38) ACTING AS PROXY

I'm here on behalf of my first line manager = I'm speaking as a representative of my line manager / I'm speaking for my line manager / I'm speaking for my line manager / I'm substituting for my line manager / I'm acting for my line manager / I'm here representing my line manager / I'm speaking in the name of my line manageress / I'm here as a spokesperson for my line manageress   

39) GIVING IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING

I'm informing you about … = I'm updating you about … / I'm keeping you posted on … / I'm bringing you up-to-date with … / I'm putting you in the picture / I'm tipping you off / I'm giving you the low-down on … / I'm letting you in on … / I'm blowing the whistle on … / I'm giving you to understand / I'm keeping you in the loop / I'll keep you abreast of … / I'll keep you up to speed with … / I'll put you in the picture about … / I'll make you knowledgeable about … / You'll be conversant with … / You'll be plugged-in to … / You'll be familiar with … / You'll be in touch with … / You'll be acquainted with   

40) TAKING SIDES

I'm of the opinion that … = My view is that … / I believe that … / I feel that … / It is my belief that … / As far as I can tell … / In my estimation … / From my personal standpoint … / From my perspective … / It seems to me that … / As I see it … / From where I'm sitting … / It appears that … / My impression is that … / My belief is that … / As I understand … / My understanding is …       

41) CONTRASTING IDEAS

In contrast to … = Besides the fact that … / Conversely … / On the contrary … / Notwithstanding … / On the other hand … / In spite the fact that … / Despite the fact that … / Except for the fact that … / Granted that … / even then … / Despite the possibility that …   

42) REFERRING TO SOMETHING

In reply to … = In response to … / Referring to … / With reference to … / Relating to … / In the matter of … / On the topic of … / Having to do with … / Dealing with the subject of …     

43) EXPRESSING A CONSEQUENCE 

In view of the situation … = As a result of the situation … / Giving consideration to the situation … / Making allowances for the situation … / With regard to the situation … / In the light of the situation … / In light of the situation … / Taking the situation into account … / Mindful of the situation … / On account of the situation … / Taking note of the situation … / Owing to the situation …   

44) ENCOMPASSING 

Including me or Including her or Including him = Inclusive of me or Inclusive of her or Inclusive of him / Which includes me or Which includes her or Which includes him / And even me or And even her or And even him / Me included or Her included or Him included / Me as part of it or Her as part of it or Him as part of it / Counting me in or Counting her in or Counting him in / Me taken in as part of the whole group or Her taken in as part of the whole group or Him taken in as part of the whole group 

45) LACKING ALTERNATIVES

It cannot be denied that progress has been made = It can't be helped / It's inevitable / It can't be avoided / It can't be prevented / It is what it is / Such is life / That's life / So it goes / Life is full of surprises / Life can be unpleasant / Nothing can be done / Life can be unrewarded / That's just how it goes / Deal with it / There is no alternative / There is no getting around it / Things happen / That's just how it is 

46) RELATING TO SOMEBODY OR SOMETHING              

 It has to do with … = It refers to … / It relates to … / It deals with … / It has reference to … / It pertains to … / It applies to … / It has a bearing on … / It addresses … / It impacts on … / It involves … / It covers … / It affects … / It touches on … / It encompasses … / It bears upon … / It bears on … / It appertains to … 

47) EXPRESSING LIKELIHOOD

It seems to me that … = I believe that … / I have the impression that … / I feel that … / I think that … / From my perspective … / I have the feeling that … / I get the feeling that … / If you ask me … / I guess … / In my perspective …   

48) KEEPING IN MIND

It should be noted that … = Please note that … / Consider this … / It is useful to remember … / It's worth noting … / It is necessary to notice … / Note should be made of … / It will be observed … / Kindly note … / It should be kept in mind … / Please take note … / It has to be noted that … / It is worth mentioning … / It is important to note that … / It must be pointed out … / It should be recalled … / Please be advised that … / Please consider … / Be advised that …

49) EXPRESSING SOMETHING FORMAL 

It's a formal announcement … = It's an official announcement / It's an announcement from a reliable source / It's a formal declaration / It's a formal statement / It's a solemn declaration / It's a formal notice / It's confirmed news / It's trustworthy information / It's an official message 

50) EXPRESSING SOMETHING INFORMAL

It's an informal announcement = It's an unofficial statement / It's an informal declaration / It's an unofficial / It's an unrevealed declaration / It's a statement that hasn't been made public / It's a statement which hasn't been brought into the open / It's a statement that hasn't been publicized / It's an announcement that hasn't been known

51) EXPRESSING SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT 

It's imperative that … = It's necessary that … / It's important that … / It's very important that … / It is of paramount importance that … / It's crucial that … / It's vital that … / It's vitally important that … / It's an utmost importance that … / It's extremely important that … / It's important to bear in mind that … / The matter in hand / The matter at hand / The point at issue 

52) EXPRESSING WHAT IT IS ABOUT

It's in connection with … = It's in connection to … / Dealing with the subject of … / It has to do with … / In relation to … / Concerning … / Regarding … / Re … / On the subject of … / In regard to … / In respect to … / In respect of … / As respects to … / Pertaining to … / Relevant to … / With relevance to … / With regard to … / Referring to … / In view of … / It's based on … / In response to … / Consisting of … / Speaking of … / In conjunction with … / Impacting on … / Bearing on … / Bearing upon … 

53) EXPRESSING GRATITUDE

It's kind of you = It's nice of you / I'm so grateful / I owe you one / I appreciate your time / I owe you big time / How thoughtful of you / I'll forever be grateful / I really appreciate your help / I'll be forever in your debt / I'm forever indebted to you / Nice one / Cheers / Greatly appreciated / Much appreciated

54) EXPRESSING THE PROBABILITY OF SOMETHING HAPPENING

It's likely that … = It's probable that … / Chances are that … / In all likelihood … / In all probability … / The odds are that … / It's conceivable that … / It's presumable that … / It's foreseeable that … / It's within the bounds of possibility … / It's ten to one that … / It's a pound to a penny that … / It's in the wind that … / It's on the cards that … / It's in the cards that … / It's distinctly possible that … / It's to be expected that … / It's fated that … / It's in the offing … / It's in the air … / It's presumptive … / It's odds-on … / It's seeming …   

55) OFFERING SOME ADVICE

Let me give you a word of advice … = Let me give you some advice … / Let me give you a tip … / A word to the wise … / Take my advice … / Let me offer you some advice … / A word of advice … / My advice … / Let me give you one piece of advice … / Let me give you a little advice … / A little advice …

56) MAKING AN ARGUMENT  

Let me put forward an argument = Let me present an argument / Let me develop an argument / Let me have a point / Let me give good reasons / Let me make a persuasive argument / Let me make an excellent point / Let me provide a legitimate reason 

57) REFERRING INDIRECTLY TO SOMETHING  

The author mentions in passing that … = The author makes an allusion to … / The author  alludes to the fact that … / The author says indirectly … / The author makes reference to the fact that … / The author says in passing that … / The author speaks briefly of … / The author conveys the impression … / The author points out … / The author conveys the impression … / The author points in direction of … / The author directs attention to … / The author gives us an inkling of … / The author approaches the subject of … / We have an atmosphere of … / The author pins down … / The author gives as an example … / The author introduces the subject of … / The author tips someone the wink about … / The author points at … / The author lets the cat out of the bag 

58) SAYING THANK YOU 

Many thanks for …=/ Thanks a lot / Thank you so much / Thank you very much / Thanks so much / Thanks very much / Thanks a million / Thanks for everything / I can't thank you enough / Million thanks to you / Thanks a ton / Thanks a bunch / Thank you from the bottom of my heart / Thanks heaps / TY (= stands for thank you) / Thank you kindly 

59) INTERRUPTING

May I interrupt you? = I'm sorry to interrupt, but … / Let me interrupt a few seconds … / Sorry to interrupt you … / Sorry for interrupting … / Excuse me, I'd like to say something … / Do you mind if I come in here? / Do you mind if I jump in here? / Can I jump in here? / Just a moment, I'd like to say something here … / May I butt in there? / Sorry to butt in here / May I cut you off? / Sorry to cut you off … / Sorry to bother you … / Let me interrupt you again

60) DIRECTING GREAT ATTENTION TOWARD(S) A PARTICULAR GOAL

The discussion centered on safety = Focused on … / Hinged on … / Revolve around … / Concerned / Was about … / Bore on … / Came to … / Pertained to … / Related to … / Touched on …

61) SAYING THAT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS PART OF SOMEONE OR SOMETHING

To be part of … = To form part of … / Be involved in … / Have a share in … / Have a role in … / Have a part in … / Become part of … / Have a hand in … / Join … / Integrate … /Play a role in … / Be a factor in … / Become involved in … / Take part of … / Have to do with … / Fit in … / Make a contribution to … / Have a percentage of … Be partly responsible for …  

62) EXPRESSING REGRET

To my great regret … = I very much regret … / My biggest regret … / Much to my regret … / Much to my chagrin … / In spite of me … / In spite of myself … / Very reluctantly … / We are not able to … / We are sad to announce that … / Great regret … / Deep regret … 

63) EXPRESSING SATISFACTION 

We are pleased to inform you that … = We have pleasure in informing you that … / We are delighted to inform you that … / We are happy to inform you that … / We are very pleased to inform you that … / We are looking forward to informing you that … 

64) LINKING WORDS OF CAUSE AND EFFECT

Although = As / As a consequence / As a result / As a result of / Because / Because of / Consequently / Despite / Due to / Even though / For this reason / Fortunately / Hence / Nonetheless / Notwithstanding / On account of / Otherwise / Since / So / So in effect / Therefore / Thus / Under those circumstances

65) ASKING FOR PERMISSION 

Would you mind opening the window? = Do you mind opening the window? / Would you be so kind as to open the window? / Would you kindly open the window? / Would you do the honors as to open the window? / Could you do me a favour? / Would you please open the window? / Would you care to open the window? / Would you be able to open the window? / Would you like to open the window?

66) EXPRESSING TRUTHFULNESS

You can take my word for it = I believe you because you are telling the truth / I give credence to / Mark my words / Place confidence in … / Please have faith in me / Take as read  

67) CONFORMING TO SOMEONE'S OPINION

You have a point there = I agree with you / You are right about that / Indeed! / Well done! / You got that right / You make a good point / You are not wrong / You are correct / You made your point / I go along with you there / You made a valid point / You said what needed to be said / You said something relevant / You provided relevant input / You offered a valid perspective / You said something of value / You offered a relevant perspective / You said something correct / You said something important / You said something meaningful / You said a mouthful

68) EXPRESSING AWARENESS

You should be aware that … = You should know that … / Just know … / You need to know … / I want you to know … / I'll have you know … / Don't forget that … / Bear in mind that … / Be aware that … / Remember that …

69) TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOMETHING

It's all my fault = I take full responsibility / It's my bad / It's my responsibility / I am the one to blame for this / I am the one to be blamed / I am the root of all evil / I am accountable for everything / I am the one at fault / I am the one who messed up everything 

70) PRESENTING SOMETHING AS LESS GOOD OR LESS IMPORTANT THAN IT ACTUALLY IS  

It's an understatement = It's euphemism / It's retrained statement / It's underestimation / It's fineness / It's a restraint / It's reduction division / It's meiosis / It's genteelism / It's code word / It's mild alternative / It's underplaying / It's circumlocution / It's weasel word / It's alternative expression / It's mild alternative. As an understatement =  At the very least / To put it mildly / And then some