Beyond the Basics: 50 C1 Phrases to Master Advanced English Conversation

 

Introduction:

 

You've moved past "How are you?" and "My name is...". You can understand complex sentences and express your thoughts clearly. But do you ever feel like there's a gap between your current English and the nuanced, articulate way native speakers converse in professional settings or deep discussions? This is the C1 level challenge—it's not just about what you say, but how you say it.

To truly master advanced English, you need more than just vocabulary and grammar; you need a repertoire of sophisticated phrases that allow you to express strong opinions diplomatically, structure complex arguments, and use idiomatic expressions naturally. This comprehensive list of 50 C1-level phrases is your key to unlocking that next level of fluency. Get ready to elevate your conversations and truly sound like a native speaker.

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50 C1-Level Daily Conversation Phrases

I. Expressing Strong Opinion & Belief (Elevating "I think...") (10)

#	Phrase	Function/Use
1.	I am of the view that...	Formal, strong way to state an opinion.
2.	It stands to reason that...	To say that something is logically obvious or self-evident.
3.	I'm inclined to believe...	Shows a tendency toward a certain opinion, slightly less definitive.
4.	As far as I'm concerned...	Clearly defines the limits of your opinion/knowledge on a topic.
5.	I would hazard a guess that...	To make an educated or speculative prediction.
6.	The crux of the matter is...	To introduce the most important or central part of an issue.
7.	It goes without saying that...	To state something so obvious it doesn't need to be mentioned.
8.	I'm quite convinced that...	Expresses strong certainty about a belief.
9.	My take on this is...	Informal but high-level way to introduce your personal perspective.
10.	To my mind...	A sophisticated synonym for "In my opinion."

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II. Agreeing & Disagreeing Diplomatically (10)

#	Phrase	Function/Use
11.	I couldn't agree more.	Expresses total agreement emphatically.
12.	I see your point, but...	A polite way to acknowledge a valid point before introducing a contrast.
13.	I'm on the fence about that.	Expresses neutrality or indecision between two options.
14.	I'm afraid I have to take issue with...	Formal, polite way to strongly disagree with a specific point.
15.	That's a valid point, granted.	Concedes that the other person's point is true or correct.
16.	We're largely on the same page.	Expresses that you agree on the main points.
17.	I agree with you up to a point.	Expresses partial or qualified agreement.
18.	I beg to differ.	A formal, polite way of saying "I disagree."
19.	That argument doesn't hold water.	To say that an argument is weak, flawed, or illogical.
20.	I'm with you on that one.	Casual, strong agreement (good for social discussions).

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III. Discussing Cause, Effect, & Condition (8)

#	Phrase	Function/Use
21.	The immediate consequence was...	Clearly links an action to a resulting outcome.
22.	In light of recent events...	To introduce a statement that is based on new information/circumstances.
23.	It all boils down to...	To simplify a complex issue to its most fundamental point.
24.	This is symptomatic of...	To say that a specific problem is a sign of a larger, underlying issue.
25.	On the condition that...	To state a necessary requirement for something to happen.
26.	This is largely due to...	Identifies the main reason for a situation.
27.	With that being said...	A sophisticated transition to introduce a contrasting or qualifying statement.
28.	The determining factor is...	Highlights the most crucial element in a situation or decision.

 

IV. Structuring a Discussion & Interrupting (7)

#	Phrase	Function/Use
29.	To digress for a moment...	Used when changing the topic briefly.
30.	Allow me to interject here.	Formal and polite way to interrupt.
31.	Getting back to the matter at hand...	Used to steer the conversation back to the main topic after a digression.
32.	I’d like to underscore the point that...	To emphasize or draw attention to a specific point you made.
33.	To put it bluntly...	To say something directly, often something that might be unpleasant.
34.	Let me just reiterate...	Used to repeat or restate a point for emphasis or clarity.
35.	In a nutshell...	A concise way to summarize a complex explanation or argument.

 

V. Idiomatic & Advanced Everyday Expressions (15)

#	Phrase	Function/Use
36.	To pull out all the stops.	To use every possible effort to achieve something.
37.	To put a pin in that.	To temporarily postpone a discussion or idea (professional context).
38.	He's dragging his feet.	To be deliberately slow in taking action.
39.	A baptism of fire.	A very difficult first experience of something.
40.	To cut someone some slack.	To be less critical or strict with someone.
41.	We need to hit the ground running.	To start a new activity or project immediately and successfully.
42.	The jury is still out (on that).	A decision has not yet been made; the result is still uncertain.
43.	To bear in mind that...	To remember or consider a fact when making a decision.
44.	That's neither here nor there.	Something is unimportant or irrelevant to the main subject.
45.	To put the cart before the horse.	To do things in the wrong order.
46.	It's a step in the right direction.	A small progress toward a desired result.
47.	We're back to square one.	To have to start all over again.
48.	To be given a heads-up.	To receive a warning or advance notice about something.
49.	It’s a win-win situation.	A situation where all parties benefit.
50.	To play devil's advocate.	To argue against something, even if you agree with it, to encourage debate.