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Language, when you need it
Search concise C2 rules, vocabulary and speaking phrases without leaving the course to hunt through past lessons.
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.