Discussing advantages and disadvantages

In this video, Noelia and Yuna talk about how to encourage creativity in the office. Listen to the language they use to discuss advantages and disadvantages 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 discuss advantages and disadvantages? Listen out for useful language for discussing advantages and disadvantages. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Noelia: So, table tennis, bean bags, board games, video games! Hey, how about a trampoline?

Yuna: Stop right there. I love your ideas, Noelia, but a trampoline? Really?

Noelia: Absolutely. When do you have your best ideas?

Yuna: I don't know. Usually when I'm cooking, I suppose.

Noelia: Exactly. We often have our best ideas when we are away from our desks. The other day I was on a trampoline and the vision for the creativity room came to me.

Yuna: Why were you on a trampo…? Never mind. Look, on the one hand it's a lovely idea and it fits with our brand, but on the other hand it could be noisy and chaotic and maybe too much fun!

Noelia: But having fun helps you be creative, and being creative is vital to our business! 

Yuna: I see what you mean, but I'm just not sure if a trampoline is necessary. Also, there could be an issue with the clients arriving at the office and seeing us all jumping around.

Noelia: I see where you're coming from, but I think our clients will love it! And there are lots of advantages to trampolining. It's good for the body and the mind.

Yuna: Maybe, but I can also see the disadvantages. What if someone hurts themselves?

Noelia: But we're all adults. And we can get extra insurance. Come on! It's a great idea!

Yuna: OK, I'll think about it. 

Noelia: Perfect. I'll email you some links!

Yuna: I haven't said yes! Oh, Noelia! 

 

Ana: Hello again! A trampoline in the office? Well, there's an idea! So, did you notice the useful phrases used for discussing advantages and disadvantages? Listen to me and then repeat. 

 

On the one hand …, but on the other hand …

I see what you mean, but I'm just not sure.

There could be an issue with that. 

I see where you're coming from, but I think they'll love it. 

There are lots of advantages.

Maybe, but I can also see the disadvantages.

 

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

Discussion

Download
Worksheet87.11 KB

Language level

Average: 4.5 (40 votes)

Submitted by melflor on Sun, 02/01/2022 - 20:44

In reply to by Asina9

Permalink

To say that you understand someone's attitude or point of view.

Profile picture for user Rafaela1

Submitted by Rafaela1 on Sun, 30/08/2020 - 14:39

Permalink
I'm just wondering why people say pros and cons instead of advantages and disadvantages. ;)

Hello Rafaela1,

'pro' is a common prefix (from Latin, which provided a lot of vocabulary for English over the centuries) that means 'in favour of'. 'con' is another common prefix, but in this case, as far as I know, it's an abbreviated form of 'contra', which is basically the opposite of 'pro'. So 'pro' means 'advantages' and 'cons' means 'disadvantages'.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Thank you Kirk, you're such an intellectual person! ;)

Submitted by Asni on Fri, 28/08/2020 - 23:30

Permalink
Usually, I have my best ideas when I lie down, close my eyes and relax or just before sleep, sometimes even in the middle of the night. One day, I was working on an Android application, that was part of a project at university and at a certain point, I felt like my mind was stuck and I couldn't move forward. While I was sleeping, I began to dream about the code and the issues I had with it, I suddenly woke up at about 2 or 3 a.m., and it was unbelievable how I got a clue to work them out at that time and was finally able to advance the project.

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

Permalink
I guess this lesson should be under upper intermediate level. sorry if I am wrong.

Submitted by MOHAMMEDOSMAN on Sat, 11/07/2020 - 00:17

Permalink
I think this lesson less than the upper intermediate level.