Agreeing and disagreeing

In this video, Emir and Paul discuss a design for a client. Listen to the language they use for agreeing and disagreeing and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say!

Do you know what to say when you agree and disagree? Listen out for useful language for agreeing and disagreeing. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Paul: So?

Emir: I'm not convinced by that idea.

Paul: Why?

Emir: Well, this design is just too simple. 

Paul: It's not simple, it's minimal. Plus, it's what the client asked for.

Emir: I'm not so sure. Look … Look at these designs here. I think this is the style that the client wants.

Paul: Hmmm … I think I disagree. They said they wanted it clean and minimal.

Emir: These designs are clean and minimal. 

Paul: Look, don't get me wrong, Emir. I like them, but I don't think they fit the brief. For example, here, there's just a bit too much going on.

Emir: OK, I see what you mean, but without all the colour, it would look a bit … empty. 

Paul: True. OK, how about taking that and that away? So it still looks interesting, but less busy. 

Emir: OK … maybe you've got a point there. Actually, that has given me an idea.

Emir: So we remove the blue. I think that creates a nice balance.

Paul: Yeah, yeah. I think you're right. Changing the circles helped too. 

Emir: I agree. So we're happy with this now?

Paul: Yes, definitely. 

Emir: So it looks like we can agree!

Paul: Occasionally. 

 

Ana: Hello again! I'm pleased that Paul and Emir agreed with each other in the end. So, did you notice the useful phrases used for agreeing and disagreeing? Listen to me and then repeat. 

 

I'm not convinced by that idea.

I'm not so sure.

I think I disagree.

Don't get me wrong, but I don't think they fit. 

I see what you mean, but it looks a bit empty. 

OK, maybe you've got a point there.

I think you're right.

Yes, definitely.

I agree. 

 

Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you agree and disagree in English. Bye for now!

Discussion

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Language level

Average: 4.5 (107 votes)

Submitted by IKEDA on Tue, 18/08/2020 - 16:45

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I disagreed with my coworkers on how to progress a project recently.

Submitted by Ruslan_Yam on Mon, 17/08/2020 - 14:01

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Last time we disagreed with my wife about watching TV in a late evening. I wanted to watch the football match to the end while she insisted on going sleep together.
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Submitted by Hennadii on Mon, 17/08/2020 - 11:29

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Honestly, I'm not the "often disagreeable" person. I don't like arguing or something. And I definitely try not to push someone very often. The main reason for my occasional disagreement is my kids. They always have their opinion in every case. They don't like to clean their teeth and room as well. Always want to watch "another 5 minutes of cartoons" and, of course, they prefer sweets to soup or salad. And don't mention about homework. It's our almost everyday fight. So, I have to face these permanent fights and trying to convince them in my rightness. Telling the truth, it's not so easy as it could be. They know I love them so much that I can't be angry at them for long, no matter what they have done. I think that's how all these things work in the families. Kids are noisy and obstinate, parents are strict but forgiving.

Submitted by Eden alemayehu on Sun, 09/08/2020 - 13:24

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Last week with my partner, he had a meeting at country side and I suggested him to take public transport and he disagreed and took his own car for the trip

Submitted by aniley on Wed, 29/07/2020 - 12:45

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Perfect execises. It`s the vocabulary that I need on my work

Submitted by neuro1987 on Tue, 28/07/2020 - 00:34

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Hello everybody This morning I disagree with a friend, she told me about the process to usmle. She want to work without salary for clinical knowledge. But I don't like to work free. Unfortunately we are agree about this process.

Submitted by macevedosalas on Sat, 25/07/2020 - 23:14

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Last week, I disagreed with my partner (Level 1) at work, because he `noticed that the backups didn't work, but I was not so sure therefore we called the backup-tool expert, and she said the backups were OK. So, I agreed, and my partner was wrong.

Submitted by Phan Bao Dung on Thu, 23/07/2020 - 18:27

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Just this morning, I disagree with my husband that he feed our daughter a lot of candies. She will have tooth decay if not brush her teeth carefully. But my husband thinks it's not important.

Submitted by Asni on Sun, 19/07/2020 - 12:15

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I can't remember when exactly but recently, I disagreed with my husband about TV and the baby. I told him the baby was too young to watch TV and it was completely useless for him and might even damage his eyes or negatively affect his brain development. It was extremely difficult to convince him so I asked the paediatrician in front of him. She totally agreed with me and her answer was as clear as crystal "Definitely not, TV is forbidden for less than 3 years old kids".