Vocabulary flashcards for speaking

Connect your points so a speech flows instead of listing.

Each deck uses spaced repetition. Cards you know come back in a few days, cards you miss come back in minutes. Say every word out loud in a sentence before you flip, because recognizing a word is not the same as using it.

Linking words

On top of that: Adds one more point, a little stronger than the last. It saves time. On top of that, it's cheaper.
That said: Admits the other side before you continue. Remote work is flexible. That said, it can feel lonely.
For instance: Introduces an example. Small habits matter. For instance, I read ten pages a night.
As a result: Shows what happened because of something. I practiced daily. As a result, I stopped freezing up.
In other words: Says the same idea more simply. It's not sustainable. In other words, it won't last.
On the other hand: Gives the contrasting view. Cities are exciting. On the other hand, they're expensive.
The main reason is: Points to your strongest reason. The main reason is that it saves people time.
To put it simply: Signals a short, clear summary. To put it simply, we need fewer meetings.
Having said that: Like that said, but softer and more spoken. I love coffee. Having said that, I drink too much of it.
What this means is: Explains the consequence of a point. What this means is that prices will keep rising.
Even so: Keeps your point despite a problem. It was raining. Even so, the stadium was full.
To wrap up: Tells the listener you're concluding. To wrap up, start small and stay consistent.

Stronger than very

Exhausted: Very tired. After the trip I was completely exhausted.
Thrilled: Very happy or excited. I was thrilled when I got the offer.
Crucial: Very important. Sleep is crucial for memory.
Tiny: Very small. It was a tiny apartment with a huge view.
Enormous: Very big. The project had an enormous impact.
Furious: Very angry. Customers were furious about the delay.
Spotless: Very clean. The kitchen was spotless.
Terrified: Very scared. I was terrified before my first speech.
Fascinating: Very interesting. The history behind it is fascinating.
Starving: Very hungry. We were starving by the time dinner arrived.
Packed: Very crowded. The train was packed this morning.
Brilliant: Very smart or very good. That was a brilliant idea.

Opinion phrases

From my point of view: Introduces your opinion politely. From my point of view, schools should start later.
I'm convinced that: A strong, confident opinion. I'm convinced that this will save money.
I'd argue that: An opinion you're ready to defend. I'd argue that phones help more than they hurt.
It seems to me that: A softer, more careful opinion. It seems to me that people want flexibility.
I see where you're coming from, but: Disagrees respectfully. I see where you're coming from, but the data says otherwise.
I couldn't agree more: Agrees completely. You're right. I couldn't agree more.
That's a fair point: Accepts part of someone's argument. That's a fair point, but cost still matters.
The way I see it: Casual way to share your view. The way I see it, practice beats talent.
I'm not entirely sure, but: Shares a view with honest doubt. I'm not entirely sure, but I think it helps.
There's no doubt that: Presents something as clearly true. There's no doubt that sleep affects mood.

Instead of um

Let me think about that for a second: Buys time without saying um. Good question. Let me think about that for a second.
That's a great question: Buys a moment and sounds engaged. That's a great question, and it's one I get often.
The short answer is: Starts with a direct answer. The short answer is yes, but it depends.
Let me give you an example: Moves into a story or example. Let me give you an example from last year.
What I mean is: Rephrases when you lose your thread. What I mean is that timing matters more than money.
Here's how I'd put it: Restarts a sentence cleanly. Here's how I'd put it: start small.
Going back to my first point: Returns to your structure. Going back to my first point, cost is the issue.
There are two reasons: Sets up a clear structure. There are two reasons I disagree.
The way I'd approach it is: Introduces your method. The way I'd approach it is one step at a time.
Put simply: A short summary to land a point. Put simply, it works.