Useful English Expressions

Below are some useful English expressions for opening a sentence.

• If I understand you correctly
• There are exceptions, of course
• An exception to that is, of course
• With the exception of that
• Not to mention the fact that
• At first glance it looks as if
• Don't get me wrong
• Let's get this straight
• Excuse me, I'd like to refill my glass
• That is what I am going to say...

Useful English Openers #14

• Where should I start?
• We take for granted that
• Even taking that into account
• I don't see it that way
• That doesn't fit
• I wonder why
• I keep wondering why
• I can't make up my mind
• What bothers me is
• What were we talking about?

Useful English Openers #13

• That is a good question
• I rather suspect
• Give my regards to
• Regarding
• That reminds me
• Right on!
• You're darn right
• Rumour has it
• What I would say is
• Since you put it that way

Useful English Openers #12

• Now that I think about it
• Oddly enough
• Once in a while
• I will have to think it over
• Well, perhaps in this case
• What a pity
• I'll be right back
• Excuse me for a moment
• Poor you
• I'm pretty sure

Useful English Openers #11

• Have you met...
• Perhaps I should mention
• What do you have in mind?
• It's slipped my mind
• You must have misunderstood me
• Not for all the money in the world
• What is more...
• Most of the time
• It's been nice talking to you
• Every now and then

Useful English Openers #9

• What I don't like is
• Most likely I would
• To make a long story short
• Look, let's get this straight
• Look at it this way
• You lost me there
• I am lost
• Best of luck to you
• You've make my day
• To make up for it

Useful English Openers #8

• I just thought of something
• Just between you and me
• Let me rephrase what I just said
• It is very kind of you to say that
• That is very kind of you
• I know what you mean
• Let me know how things work out
• Someday you'll learn
• Well, let me think
• I'd better let you go

Useful English Openers #7

• That is what I was going to say
• Do you happen to know
• I've got news for you
• Would'n it be a good idea
• If I understand you correctly
• If I read you right
• If I said that I didn't mean to
• Well, if you really insist
• Well, if it upsets you that much
• Not even if you pay me

Useful English Openers #6

• What do you mean by...
• In a case like this
• Well, perhaps in this case
• Well, under those circumstances
• A classic/typical example of this is
• You are close
• Is that clear?
• When it comes to
• May I make a comment on that?
• I'd like to comment on that

Useful English Openers #5

• Just between you an me
• What bothers me is
• This brings up the following
• I know you are busy so I'll let you go
• Maybe I shouldn't say this, but
• But the problem/question/point is...
• Yes, but keep in mind/ don't forget...
• I'd love to, but
• That's a good idea, but
• Yes, but don't you think...

Useful English Openers #4

• I would like to speak to someone about
• May I talk to someone about...
• You don't want to..
• What we have in mind is...
• My understanding is...
• Speaking of/about...
• Guess what..
• You may not believe this, but
• It may sound funny, but..
• Before I foget

Useful English Openers #3

1. Well, anything you say
2. It appears to me
3. I really appreciate your calling
4. This shouldn't be pass around, but
5. As far as I can tell
6. As I see it
7. I have reason to believe
8. To the best of my knowledge
9. Best of luck to you
10. Wouldn't it better?

Useful English Openers #2

1. Not everyone will agree with me, but
2. I agree with you, but
3. I am afraid I don't have time to talk
4. I don't see the advantage in...
5. I will have to think about that
6. We'll have to get together again sometime.
7. I am almost positive
8. If there is no alternative
9. The best way I can answer that is...
10. Let me know if I can be of any further help.

Useful English Openers #1

1. Let's put it this way
2. It was nice talking to you
3. Sorry, I'v got to go now
4. Excuse me for interrupting..
5. May I interrupt for a moment?
6. Do you have a minute?
7. Just a comment on...
8. I would like to comment on..
9. Could we go back to..
10. Do you happen to know...

From Smiling Sunflower.