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: 4.4 (171 votes)

Submitted by Phyu Sin on Sun, 22/11/2020 - 08:03

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The last time I disagree with is my partner in my job because he didn't accept my idea and he was so bossy.

Submitted by Sana Omar on Sat, 21/11/2020 - 13:42

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The last time I disagreed with my coworkers on the schedule of the training programmes we prepared.
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Submitted by Aghaton on Thu, 19/11/2020 - 15:09

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Hello everyone, the last time I disagreed on something was when i and my wife had different thoughts about the groceries buying budget.I had my own list in mind while she had her own, but when it came to the real budget on the list , we had to choose which item on the list had to go away., I just never agreed on the ideas of removing or trimming the number of items from my list to balance the budget, likewise, she didn't like that to happen to hers.

Submitted by Cecilio Franzoni on Sat, 14/11/2020 - 17:19

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Desagreeing and agreeing its important. I learned how to desagrre in a frendly maner

Submitted by Pola on Sat, 14/11/2020 - 13:46

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In the last time, I disagreed with my big brother, he was wanting make a business in tourism field but I'm not convinced by that idea, after so that the covid-19 happened and everything stopped around the world, then he lost all his money.

Submitted by 777_gerchikkh_777 on Mon, 09/11/2020 - 09:53

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Hi guys! Recently I have argue with my family, that self -education more important, than education. And need to try most of all . They said me : We think you don't right . What do you think ,who right???

Submitted by Rodrigo Abrantes on Sun, 08/11/2020 - 00:32

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The last time I disagree with someone was when I was talking about politics. My friend doesn't have the same opinion as me.

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