Think about the last big decision you made where you didn't have enough information — maybe choosing a job, a place to live, or something you bought.
🎙 Tell me about it. How did you decide? Did you go with your feeling, or did you try to think it through carefully?
We live in a world that rewards confidence — but the most important decisions happen when we don't know the answer. Today we're going to explore this — and learn the language to talk about it with precision.
When you discuss difficult decisions in English, you need language that shows you're thinking carefully — not just giving simple opinions. Here are four tools.
When you're not 100% sure, you hedge — you soften your language to show that you're being careful, not weak.
It's hard to say, but... I think gut feeling plays a bigger role than we admit.
I'm not entirely sure, but... I'd probably trust the experienced person over the data.
I'd say it depends on... how much time you have to decide.
I wouldn't say it's that simple... there are too many things we don't know.
🎙 Use one of these to answer: "Should people always follow the data?"
When you're imagining what might happen or what might be true.
It could be that... the doctor just had more experience with that type of case.
There's a good chance that... people who trust their gut are also more experienced.
I imagine... most people would panic in that situation.
I suppose... it's possible to overthink things.
🎙 Use one of these to answer: "Why do you think the firefighter knew to leave the building?"
When you want to show you've considered different angles.
On the one hand... data gives you facts. On the other hand... it can't tell you everything.
The thing is... we don't always have time to think carefully.
Having said that... you can't just ignore the numbers completely.
It's true that... gut feeling is risky, but at the same time... waiting too long is also risky.
🎙 Use one of these to answer: "Is it better to decide quickly or slowly?"
When you partly agree but want to add a different perspective.
I see what you mean, but... I think there's more to it than that.
That's a fair point, although... it doesn't work in every situation.
I partly agree... but I think it also depends on the person.
You could argue that, but... my experience has been different.
🎙 I'll say something. You respond using one of these: "People who follow their gut are just being lazy."
Every person has two ways of making decisions. And most of the time, we don't even notice which one we're using.
Fast. Automatic.
You don't know why you feel something is right — you just do. A mother who knows her child is lying. A taxi driver who avoids a street because "something feels off."
Slow. Step-by-step.
You look at the facts, make lists, compare options. A person comparing phone contracts. Someone reading every review before booking a hotel.
For each story, tell me: did gut feeling or careful thinking go wrong? Use the language from Tab 1.
Gut feeling failed. She trusted her experience too much and didn't check. "I'd say it depends on the situation — it could be that she'd seen similar patients before, but having said that, you can't skip the tests."
Careful analysis failed. They waited too long trying to be sure. "On the one hand, they wanted to be careful with their money. On the other hand, sometimes a good-enough decision now is better than a perfect decision too late."
Both failed. The data said one thing, reality said another. "The thing is, people say one thing and do another. I'm not entirely sure why, but there's a good chance that the questions were wrong, not the answers."
Notice: the model answers in green use the target language naturally — hedging, speculating, weighing up. That's what we're practising.
Imagine a scale from 1 (pure gut feeling) to 10 (pure data). For each situation, tell me: what number should the person be at? Why?
🎙 Pick 2. Use the target language: "I'd say it depends on..." / "On the one hand... on the other hand..." / "It could be that..."
Read this response aloud. Notice how the speaker uses hedging, weighing up, and speculating — all in one answer.
"It's hard to say, really. On the one hand, I think experienced people should trust their feelings — there's a good chance that their instinct comes from years of learning. Having said that, I've also made bad decisions by not thinking carefully enough. I suppose the wisest thing is to know when to use which one. I'm not entirely sure you can teach that, though — I imagine it comes with experience."
🎙 How many target expressions did you hear? Can you name them?
I'll ask a question. You answer using at least 2 target expressions. Then you ask me one back.
Check: Did you use at least 2 expressions? For example: "I'd say it depends on the situation. On the one hand, the heart knows things the head doesn't..."
Check: Did you hedge? Did you weigh up both sides? "That's a fair point, although I think it also depends on how much trust the leader has built..."
🎙 Now your turn — ask ME a question about decisions or uncertainty. I'll answer, and you tell me which expressions I used.
Here are three real stories. React to each one using the target language.
A fire commander ordered his team out of a burning building. Seconds later, the floor collapsed. He couldn't explain why — he "just felt something was wrong." Researchers later found that experienced firefighters develop a trained instinct from thousands of hours of practice.
🎙 React: Was the firefighter being wise or just lucky? Use: "It could be that..." / "I suppose..."
Banks had thousands of people analysing data. Every model said the housing market was safe. A few experienced people felt something was wrong, but nobody listened because the numbers said otherwise. The result? The worst financial crash in 80 years.
🎙 React: Should the banks have listened to the people with bad feelings? Use: "On the one hand... on the other hand..." / "Having said that..."
Pick 2-3 cards. For each one, discuss what you would do. There are no right answers — but you MUST use the target language. Try to use at least 3 different expressions per answer.
🎙 For each one: What would you do? Use hedging, weighing up, and speculating. Don't just give an opinion — show me your THINKING.
In most cultures, saying "I don't know" feels like weakness. Leaders are expected to be sure. Doctors are expected to have answers. Teachers are expected to know everything.
But maybe the wisest people are the ones who can say "I'm not sure" — and then act anyway, carefully.
🎙 Do you agree? Is saying "I don't know" a strength or a weakness — at work? In your culture? In your personal life? Use: "I see what you mean, but..." / "That's a fair point, although..."
Imagine you're on a podcast and the host asks: "What's the difference between being smart and being wise?"
Use everything from today — the ideas AND the language.
🎙 Go. One minute. No stopping. Use at least 4 target expressions.
🎙 Imagine a friend asks you: "What did you learn in your English lesson today?" Explain the topic AND teach them 2-3 of the expressions. Don't look at the lesson — do it from memory.
🎙 Tell me what you remember — no notes, just speak.
It's hard to say, but... / I'm not entirely sure, but... / I'd say it depends on... / I wouldn't say it's that simple...
On the one hand... on the other hand... / The thing is... / Having said that... / It's true that..., but at the same time...
I see what you mean, but... / That's a fair point, although... / I partly agree... / You could argue that, but...
Gut feeling is fast and automatic — based on experience. Careful analysis is slow and step-by-step — based on data and facts. Both can fail. The wisest approach is knowing when to use which one.
🎙 Which expressions felt most natural to you? Which ones do you want to practise more? Will you use any of them at work this week?
I can hedge and soften my opinions, weigh up both sides of a question, speculate about possibilities, and disagree politely with nuance — while discussing how people deal with uncertainty and make decisions.