Group Discussion Tips - English Phrases To Sound Professional! Master Group Discussion Techniques

Summary

This script is a guide for effectively participating in group discussions. It offers professional phrases for various scenarios, including introducing viewpoints, agreeing or disagreeing politely, suggesting opinions, asking for clarification, and interrupting courteously. The focus is on sounding confident and professional, whether in interviews, business meetings, or seminars, by using these phrases to express opinions, support others, or seek further information.

Takeaways

• 📢 Be prepared with professional phrases to effectively participate in group discussions, whether in interviews, business meetings, or seminars.
• 👋 Use polite and formal introductions to start your viewpoint, such as 'With due respect, I would like to put forward the point that' or 'Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to start by saying...'
• 🤝 Agree with others using phrases like 'I totally agree with you' or 'I second what [Name] just said'.
• 🙅‍♂️ Disagree politely by using softeners like 'With due respect, I believe...' or 'I'm afraid I can only partly agree with that...'.
• 💡 When suggesting or giving opinions, sound confident with phrases like 'My honest opinion would be that...' or 'The way I see it...'.
• ❓ Ask for clarification politely if you don't understand something with phrases like 'I'm sorry, but could you please make it clearer?' or 'Could you throw some more light on it?'.
• 🚫 Interrupt politely if necessary with phrases like 'Sorry to interrupt, but...' or 'If I may interrupt, I would like to add that...'.
• 📊 Use general phrases to state facts or trends in any part of the discussion, such as 'In today's world...' or 'As a matter of fact...'.
• 🙏 Show gratitude when asked for your opinion with 'Thank you for asking my opinion on it.'
• 👥 Engage others in the discussion by asking for their opinions with 'What do you think about this?' or quoting famous individuals to support your points.

Q & A

What are the main elements of a group discussion according to the script?

The main elements of a group discussion mentioned in the script are introduction, agreeing with others, disagreeing politely, giving suggestions or opinions, asking for clarification, interrupting politely, and making general statements about the topic.

How can you formally introduce your viewpoint in a group discussion?

You can introduce your viewpoint formally by saying, 'With due respect, I would like to put forward the point that...' or 'Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to start by saying that...' Another formal introduction could be, 'I would like to begin by stating my view of the matter.'

What are some polite ways to agree with someone in a group discussion?

Polite ways to agree with someone include saying, 'I totally agree with you,' 'As a matter of fact, [name] is completely right by saying that,' or 'I second what [name] just said.' Another way is, 'I have to side with [name] on this one.'

What are the recommended phrases for disagreeing politely in a group discussion?

Recommended phrases for disagreeing politely include, 'With due respect, I believe it would not be right to...' or 'I am afraid I can only partly agree with that.' Another way is, 'I personally feel it wouldn't be okay to do this,' or 'Though I agree on the broader point, it seems to me that...' followed by your opinion.

What phrases can be used to suggest or give opinions professionally in a group discussion?

To suggest or give opinions professionally, you can say, 'My honest opinion would be that...' or 'To level up with you, I think...' Another phrase is, 'The way I see it...' or 'I am of the opinion that...' You can also use 'From my perspective...' or 'In my perspective...'

How can you ask for clarification during a group discussion?

To ask for clarification, you can say, 'I'm sorry, but could you please make it clearer?' or 'Could you throw some more light on it?' Another way is, 'Please expand your thoughts' or 'Do you mind explaining that again?' You can also say, 'Please enlighten me.'

What are some polite ways to interrupt someone during a group discussion?

Polite ways to interrupt include saying, 'Sorry to interrupt, but...' or 'I would like to add here that...' Another way is, 'Is it okay if I add something here?' or 'If I may interrupt, I would like to add that...'

What are some general phrases that can be used in any part of a group discussion?

General phrases include, 'In today's world...' or 'As a matter of fact...' Another phrase is, 'Thank you for asking my opinion on it,' or asking someone else, '[Name], what do you think about this?' You can also quote someone famous by saying, 'As [famous person] once said...' followed by the quote.

Why is it important to use these phrases confidently during a group discussion?

Using these phrases confidently is important because it shows professionalism and helps convey your opinions clearly and respectfully, making your contributions more effective and persuasive in any group discussion setting.

What is a 'softener' in the context of disagreeing with someone?

A 'softener' is a phrase used to make a disagreement sound more polite and less confrontational. Examples include starting with 'I'm afraid' or 'With due respect,' which imply respect for the other person's opinion while expressing your disagreement.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ Mastering Group Discussion Phrases

This paragraph introduces the video's focus on professional phrases for group discussions, including starting a topic, agreeing, disagreeing, suggesting, and asking for clarification. It emphasizes the importance of these skills in various settings like interviews and business meetings. The speaker offers to share smart and professional phrases to enhance one's performance in group discussions.

05:02

🤝 Art of Agreement and Disagreement

This paragraph delves into the nuances of agreeing and disagreeing in a group discussion. It provides polite phrases for expressing agreement, such as 'I totally agree with you' and 'I second what [Name] just said'. For disagreement, it suggests using softeners like 'I'm afraid I can only partly agree with that' and 'With due respect, I believe it would not be right' to convey one's stance respectfully and effectively.

10:03

💡 Conveying Opinions and Seeking Clarity

The paragraph discusses how to confidently express one's opinion in a group discussion using phrases like 'my honest opinion would be that' and 'The way I see it'. It also covers the importance of asking for clarification when needed, offering polite requests such as 'Could you please make it clearer?' and 'Please expand on your thoughts'. The use of idioms and professional language is highlighted to ensure clear communication.

📢 Polite Interruptions and General Discussion Phrases

This paragraph addresses the art of interrupting politely during a discussion with phrases like 'Sorry to interrupt, but' and 'Is it okay if I add something here?'. It also introduces general phrases suitable for any part of a group discussion, such as 'In today's world' and 'As a matter of fact', which can be used to state facts and strengthen arguments. The paragraph concludes with the speaker inviting viewers to share which phrases they plan to use in their next discussion.

Keywords

💡Group Discussion

Group discussion refers to a conversation involving multiple participants, typically aimed at exploring a topic or solving a problem. In the video, it is the primary context in which the phrases are being discussed and applied, emphasizing the importance of effective communication in professional settings such as interviews, business meetings, and seminars.

💡Professional Phrases

Professional phrases are expressions used to convey thoughts in a formal and polished manner. The video focuses on teaching viewers various professional phrases to enhance their communication skills during group discussions, ensuring they sound articulate and confident.

💡Agreeing

Agreeing in the context of the video means expressing concurrence with another person's viewpoint during a discussion. The script provides different ways to agree politely, such as 'I totally agree with you' or 'I second what [person] just said,' illustrating how to support others' opinions respectfully.

💡Disagreeing

Disagreeing is the act of expressing a difference of opinion. The video script emphasizes the need for politeness when disagreeing, using phrases like 'With due respect, I believe it would not be right,' which show respect for the other person's viewpoint while presenting a counterargument.

💡Softener

A softener is a polite phrase used to cushion a disagreement or criticism. In the script, 'I'm afraid I can only partly agree with that' is an example of a softener, which is used to make disagreement sound more tactful and less confrontational.

💡Clarification

Clarification is sought when a participant in a discussion needs further explanation or detail to understand a point better. The video suggests phrases like 'Could you please make it clearer?' to ask for clarification in a respectful manner, ensuring that misunderstandings are resolved.

💡Interrupting

Interrupting, when necessary, should be done politely in a group discussion. The script offers phrases such as 'Sorry to interrupt, but,' which allows a participant to interject respectfully while adding their thoughts to the conversation.

💡General Statements

General statements are broad observations or facts that can be used to support an argument or provide context in a discussion. The video mentions using phrases like 'In today's world,' which sets a contemporary context for the discussion and strengthens the speaker's point with widely accepted facts.

💡Opinion

An opinion is a personal belief or judgment that may not be substantiated by proof. The script advises using phrases like 'My honest opinion would be that,' to express one's viewpoint convincingly and assertively during a group discussion.

💡Persuasion

Persuasion in the video refers to the art of influencing others to agree with your point of view. The use of professional phrases and polite disagreement techniques is aimed at persuading others in a group discussion without coming across as forceful or disrespectful.

💡Confidence

Confidence is the self-assurance that comes from being well-prepared and knowledgeable about the topic at hand. The video encourages viewers to use the provided phrases confidently, which can help project an image of competence and authority in a group discussion.

Highlights

Introduction to professional phrases for group discussions.

Importance of being adept in group discussions for interviews, business meetings, and seminars.

Discussion of various elements in a group discussion including introductions, agreement, disagreement, suggestions, and clarification.

Phrases for introducing a viewpoint in a formal and traditional manner.

Using 'I totally agree with you' and other polite forms to express agreement.

The use of 'I second' and 'I have to side with' to show support for someone's viewpoint.

Strategies for polite disagreement, including the use of softeners and phrases like 'with due respect'.

How to express partial agreement by using phrases such as 'I'm afraid I can only partly agree with that'.

Conveying personal opinions when disagreeing with someone's suggestion.

Expressing opinions with confidence using phrases like 'my honest opinion would be that'.

Using 'I think' and 'the way I see it' to convey personal perspectives professionally.

Asking for clarification politely with phrases like 'I'm sorry, but could you please make it clearer'.

Using idioms such as 'throwing some more light on it' to request further explanation.

Interrupting politely in a discussion with phrases like 'sorry to interrupt, but'.

Adding value to a discussion by interrupting with phrases like 'I would like to add here that'.

General phrases for stating facts and making strong arguments in a discussion.

Using 'in today's world' to discuss current realities and trends.

Quoting popular figures to strengthen arguments in a group discussion.

Transcripts

Hey everyone.

Do you feel like you don't know

what to say in a group discussion?

Maybe you have some really good points,

but you don't know what to say.

You don't know how to start your topic.

You don't know how to agree with

someone or politely disagree with someone or

just clarify what you want to say.

Well, don't worry, you are at the right place.

We are going to talk about phrases.

I will give you some really smart professional phrases

so that you sound professional in group discussions.

Because guess what?

Whether you are in an interview, whether you

are in a business meeting or a seminar,

you have to be good at group discussions.

So let's take a look.

Now, there are many elements

in a group discussion, right?

We have the introduction, for example.

We have to agree with some people

when they are giving us their opinions.

Or sometimes we have to sadly disagree.

On some other occasions, you might have to suggest you

have to give your suggestions, your opinions, and then again,

sometimes you may feel like you haven't understood, in which

case you have to ask for clarification.

Sometimes you might have to interrupt people, although

you have to do it a little politely.

And of course, there are other places

where you have to give general statements

about the topic that you are discussing.

No matter what element of group discussion you are

going to be talking in, we are going to

make sure that you know the right phrases.

So let's have a look.

As far as introducing your viewpoint is concerned, what do you

say when you want to start off with your topic?

Let's have a look.

You could say, with due respect, I would like to

put forward the point that okay, so sometimes you have

a viewpoint and you have to put it forward.

That's your opinion and you have to make it known.

But this is a good formal way to start it.

You could also say, good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

I would like to start or begin by saying

that and then go ahead with the topic.

Of course, this is a more traditional, a more

conventional way of starting or giving your viewpoint, but

it's still used formally in many places.

However, I have another one for you.

You could say, I would like to begin

by stating my view of the matter. My view.

Or you could use another

word perspective on this matter.

Okay, so these are the different

ways you introduce your viewpoint.

But you know that sometimes you have

to agree with other people, right?

It's not always going to be your way.

You have to agree with somebody else.

So what do you say when you have to do that?

I would say I totally agree with you.

I guess that's the right thing to say

and it sounds really nice and polite.

However, you could also say, as a matter

of fact, you can mention the person's name.

He is right by saying that.

So let's assume that is one

of my friend called Akash, okay?

And he's explaining his viewpoint, and I agree with it.

So I might want to say something like, as

a matter of fact, akash is completely right by

saying that, which means I am agreeing with him.

But I have another one for you.

You could say, I second what Akash just said.

I second means I back him up.

Okay, so you back somebody up,

which means you support them completely.

Okay, that's another way of saying I second

what Akash or my friend Niharika said.

All right, we'll go to the other one, which says,

I have to side with Michelle on this one.

So agreeing basically means that you are taking sides.

You are agreeing with this person,

but maybe not with this person.

So sometimes it's good to state the

person's name that you are agreeing with.

So I have to side with Michelle on this one. Okay.

All right, then let me see if we

can have good polite phrases while disagreeing.

Now, here's the tricky thing, okay?

When it comes to disagreeing with someone, well, you

have to be extra polite, because no one likes

to be told that they are wrong.

And when you are disagreeing with someone,

you are essentially not buying their opinion.

So what can you say?

Let's have a look.

With due respect, I believe it would not be right

to do whatever it is that they have suggested.

Now, this phrase is really important because when

you say, with due respect, it shows that

it implies that you are respecting their opinion,

but yet disagreeing with it.

I wouldn't go with something else.

I would also say something like, I am

afraid I can only partly agree with that.

Now, when you see the word afraid, it

does not mean that you are scared. Okay?

This phrase over here is actually

in English called a softener.

A softener is basically a phrase that you use

before you disagree with someone to sound polite.

So you say, I'm afraid I

can only partly agree with that.

Yes, partly agreeing with someone is

equal to disagreeing with someone because

you don't completely agree with them.

Or you could say, I personally feel

it wouldn't be okay to do this.

Okay, remember, you are giving your personal opinion.

So when you are disagreeing with

someone, you're just speaking for yourself.

So if you are speaking for yourself, you want to say,

I personally feel that it wouldn't be okay to do this.

Or you could say, though I agree on

the broader point, it seems to me that

and then you give a contradictory opinion. Okay?

So what happens is sometimes you may agree on,

let's say, the main point, but there are some

elements of what is being spoken that you feel

like you're not very comfortable with.

You don't completely agree with that's.

When you want to say that you agree with

one thing, but you do not agree with the

other thing, and that's when you can use this.

You can say, though I agree with you on

the broader point, it somehow seems to me that

this other issue is not quite taken care of. Okay.

All right then let's have a look at what do we

say when we are suggesting or giving our own opinions.

Now here you have to sound very professional.

All of you who are giving interviews, if you

are in the group discussion, make sure that the

phrases I now share with you, you say them

with confidence because your opinion really matters.

So you want to say something like

my honest opinion would be that.

So you have to use the word honest opinion,

which is a way of saying that you have

a strong belief in what you're going to say.

However, you can also say to level up with you, I

think, okay, so level up is a way to say that

based on what you've just said, here is my opinion.

Let's look at another one.

The way I see it, this is another way to say

I personally think or honestly I feel or my perspective is

so when you see something, it is your point of view,

but you can say this, no problem with that.

Or you could say, I am of the

opinion that this is a lot more formal.

If you compare it with the other ones, you notice

it's a lot more formal and it's also a good

thing to use another one from my perspective.

Or you could say in my perspective, some

people say in my perspective, some people say

from my perspective, both are absolutely correct.

But these phrases, when said with confidence,

definitely show that you firmly believe in

your opinion, and that shows your professionalism.

Let's now have a look at what do you

do when you want to ask for clarification.

Why do you ask for clarification though, when you are

having a group discussion, someone says a certain thing or

someone talks about a certain point and maybe you want

to understand that point more clearly before you decide if

you agree with them or not.

That's when you ask for clarification so that you have

no doubts about what they are saying to you.

What can you say?

I'm sorry, but could you please make

it clearer because you didn't understand, right?

So you want them to make it a little clearer for you.

Could you throw some more light on it?

Throwing some more light is an idiom, which

means can you explain it further so that

I understand it a little bit more?

Because some people are a little vague.

They don't explain things in detail.

And when you want them to explain things

in detail, it basically means that you want

them to throw some light on it.

That's the new idiom for you today.

Or you could say, Please expand your thoughts.

Okay, please expand your thoughts.

Or you could say, Please expand

on your thoughts or your opinions.

Which means give me detailed explanation

about what you just said.

A really good phrase you want to use.

You can also say, do you mind explaining that again?

Now, this is a very nice kind way to

ask, because some people don't like to be asked

the same thing over and over again.

But I think if you say this, it sounds very

polite, a nice polite request to ask for clarification.

Some people simply say, Please enlighten me.

This is a little informal, but it's still used in

a formal environment, so go ahead and use these sometimes.

Like I said, you have

to interrupt people politely, okay?

In a discussion, what happens?

There are many people talking, and you might want

to be very careful that you don't overtake someone.

A professional person never interrupts.

But if you must interrupt, make

sure you do it politely.

So what can you say if you feel like you

are speaking when the other person is saying something?

What can you say?

Here's what you'll say.

You can say, sorry to interrupt, but

and then go ahead with your idea.

Or you could say, I would like to add here that

so this is not a really bad way of interrupting. Why?

Because you are actually adding an extra point

to what someone else said, which means you're

actually strengthening what they are saying.

You're strengthening their argument, right?

They won't be mad at you

for interrupting them politely like that.

So you can do it.

But if you want to use this, you can use another one.

You can say it is okay, or is

it okay if I add something here?

Okay, so here you're actually taking permission, you're

being very nice and you're actually asking for

permission to interrupt, which I think is not

a bad thing at all.

It's very professional.

Or you could go ahead with saying, if I may

interrupt, I would like to add that again, another very

formal way and a very polite way of interrupting someone.

Do use these if you need to interrupt.

So now I'm going to show you some general phrases which

can be used in any part of the group discussion.

Now let me tell you that general phrases are used

when you want to state certain facts at any point

of the group discussion, because a discussion can only make

meaning if you have some really good facts.

So what are these general phrases?

Let's take a quick look in today's world,

when you start your phrase within today's world,

you're talking about what is happening today?

What is the reality of today's times?

So I could say something like in today's world,

several people or several businesses use social media.

And based off that statement, I'm

going to strengthen my argument.

Okay, let's go to something else we can say as

a matter of fact, when you are stating popular trends,

if you want to make your discussion strong, you want

to really leverage or take the help of popular trends,

popular opinion, or things that are very common.

And that's when you can start your statement by

saying, as a matter of fact, most people who

are healthy are also very mentally swit, right?

So you want to state facts, and this is how you do it.

You could also have another general phrase by saying,

thank you for asking my opinion on it.

Now, a lot of people sometimes

will ask for your opinion.

You don't even have to volunteer

to give it by yourself.

They will ask for it.

If you're an expert at a certain topic, that's when you

can say, hey, thank you for asking my opinion on it.

Which means that you are showing gratitude.

You are saying thank you for them to give

you this chance to showcase your expertise on something.

You can also say, maybe mention the person's name and

say, hey, Akash, what do you think about this?

A lot of times when you are discussing something

in a group meeting, it's very common for us

to want to have other people confirm with us

or buy into our point, right?

It's good to always have somebody else support us.

That's when you can use a phrase by saying or

a question by saying, what do you think about this?

This is my point, but what do you think about this?

A good way to get people on your side?

Or you could say as maybe you quote somebody.

Okay, sometimes you want to quote someone very popular as

Albert Einstein, as so and so person once said.

And then you can quote them.

And based off of that quote, you

can actually make a strong argument, right?

So I can say, as the famous author said, reading

is one of the best ways to learning a language.

Well, I am making my point very clear that language

learning is important and you have to do a lot

of reading in order to be good at it. All right?

So these are the different phrases that you

want to use in a group discussion.

If you are in the group discussion, and

no matter what element of the discussion that

you are engaged in, use these phrases, use

them confidently, and you will sound professional. Okay?

Tell me which phrases you are going to use in

your next group discussion, whether it is in an interview,

whether it is in a social setting, or anywhere else.

I'll be back with some more lessons.

Until then, keep practicing and I'll see you soon.