Escape Campus · C2

Reference Centre

Searchable banks — independent of lesson order. Updated as lessons are added.

Giving opinions

Stake a clear view without sounding aggressive.

  • "For what it's worth, I'd…"

    Polite, low-stakes opener.

  • "I'd argue, with some caution, that…"

    C2 hedge + clear stance.

  • "My instinct here is that…"

    Personal, considered.

  • "If I'm honest,…"

    Signals frankness before a stronger view.

Agreeing

Agree without sounding bland.

  • "That's exactly the point."

    Strong agreement, named.

  • "I'd go further and say…"

    Agree + extend.

  • "Hard to argue with that."

    Wry, light agreement.

Disagreeing (diplomatically)

Push back without burning the room.

  • "With respect, I read it differently."

    Polite signal of disagreement.

  • "I take your point, but…"

    Acknowledge then disagree.

  • "I'd push back gently on that."

    Professional, soft.

  • "Wouldn't it be safer to…?"

    Disagree as a question.

Asking questions

Open a real conversation, not a survey.

  • "What's making you say that?"

    Probe without confronting.

  • "Where would you draw the line?"

    Force a concrete answer.

  • "What would change your mind?"

    Open, generous question.

Clarifying

Buy yourself time and make meaning precise.

  • "Let me put it this way:…"

    Re-state, more directly or more tactfully.

  • "Just to make sure I follow,…"

    Check understanding without 'I don't understand'.

  • "Is it fair to say that…?"

    Summarise the other side.

Negotiating

Move the position without losing the relationship.

  • "Where's the flex on this?"

    Probe for movement.

  • "I could live with X if we get Y."

    Conditional concession.

  • "That's not a hill I'm dying on."

    Signal what you'll trade.

  • "Let's walk that back a step."

    Reopen a closed point.

Storytelling

Hold attention; sound like a person, not a report.

  • "Rarely have I been so wrong about a person."

    Strong fronted opener.

  • "On reflection,…"

    Mark a turn in the story.

  • "And then — predictably — …"

    Self-ironic beat.

  • "I'll spare you the details, but…"

    Compress without losing the point.

Conversation maintenance

Keep the back-and-forth alive.

  • "Say more."

    Two-word invitation to keep going.

  • "I'm with you so far."

    Confirm + signal there's a 'but' coming.

  • "That tracks."

    Casual agreement, light.