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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Average: 4.5 (107 votes)

Submitted by Khin Thandar Htun on Fri, 06/11/2020 - 05:09

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The last time that I disagreed with is my friend. At that time, we were doing a presentation. But I think we disagreed because we didn't understand each other!

Submitted by Momocompanyman on Thu, 05/11/2020 - 10:52

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Dear Team, what do you mean in this phrase : there's just a bit too much going on.

Hello Momocompanyman,

Paul means that the design is not clean and simple, but rather distracting because there are many elements -- for example, perhaps there are too many colours or too many lines. 'too much' refers to those design elements and 'going on' just means something like 'there are' here.

Does that make sense?

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Momocompanyman on Thu, 05/11/2020 - 09:47

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When I was at work, I disagreed regarding a technical issue
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Submitted by Mr.hanymabrok on Wed, 04/11/2020 - 05:18

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thanks a lot for British council team, it s amazing way to help us in speaking

Submitted by John A. on Fri, 30/10/2020 - 15:26

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Hi guys, Sometimes, when people told me something, I like to disagree with them just to have more explanations and check if they are convince about what they are saying to me...and sometimes it's quite funny. So I'm qualify as a guy with a spirit of contradiction...hope you are not agree with that ;)
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Submitted by javibuendi on Tue, 20/10/2020 - 17:59

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Last discussion I had it was with my girlfriend. It was about how the quality of the language can change our lifes. She defended that you cannot measure the quality of the language, she was completely sure that every of them worth the same. In the other hand, I believe that due to the complexity of the languages, there are some better than others, and you can take advantage of it to grow as a person.

Submitted by fahri on Mon, 19/10/2020 - 12:15

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Dear team. What is the different from: I don't aggre with you. And I disagree with you. Which one more polite ?? Thank you very much for your answer

Hello fahri,

'I don't agree' and 'I disagree' are both polite, but 'I disagree' is more formal. If it's a normal speaking situation, 'I don't agree' is probably the best form to use.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team