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

Download
Worksheet92.5 KB

Language level

Average: 4.5 (159 votes)

Submitted by Saad786 on Sat, 27/02/2021 - 10:41

Permalink
I disagreed with my friend last time when we were planning our fun fair trip. He wanted to take bat and bowl with him to play cricket at fun fair. I could not agree with him as I wanted to play video games there. Consequently our plan failed. Afterwards, we agreed to take football at fun fair because there was big lush-green outfields.

Submitted by Adrian49 on Thu, 25/02/2021 - 20:34

Permalink
Hi everyone! First of all, I don't know why this website shows that I'm located in Germany. However, last time I disagreed with my colleague. We have anything in common and we often argue.

Hello Adrian49,

I'm sorry about the mix-up regarding your location. If you choose the Edit tab when you log in, you can modify your account. Choose the 'Account information' tab and then at the bottom of the screen you should see a list of options for your country.

Hope this helps.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Torrent on Tue, 16/02/2021 - 23:54

Permalink
Sometimes people desagree to each other mainly when they are working together.

Submitted by Carlos Rodriguez on Sat, 13/02/2021 - 18:29

Permalink
A few days I was discussing with an friend about this sentece she wrote "I going to ask a review when I will arrive to my home" the contest was a English home work for practice, ... then I corrected her and I said: I think, I disagree. Don't get wrong, but I don't think that phases fit the sentence. Finally I sent to her this correct structure " I'm going to review it, when I will arrive at home"... but She stay in disagreeing with me finally.

Hello Operations Learnings English,

I'm afraid neither sentence is correct! We would not use 'will' here in the if-clause, or 'at' with 'arrive'. You could say any of these:

I'm going to review it, when I arrive home.

I'm going to review it, when I get home.

I'm going to review it, when I am at home.

Also, if you say I'm going to review it then the speaker is doing the review themselves. If someone else is doing the review for you, then you need to say I'm going to ask for a review or I'm going to get someone to review it.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Eman.F.R. on Sat, 06/02/2021 - 05:49

Permalink
The last time I disagreed with someone was yesterday with my brother. We were talking about travelling abroad.I think we should set a goal and then we have to make a plan for achieving it within a definite time frame. He disagreed with me and said " I see what you mean, but it looks a bit easy ". I said "Don't get me wrong , I know it is not so sofisticated , but i think you should be a bit organized ! " .
Don't get me wrong but I also disagree with you. I think one should not plan so much and make set of goals before travels, as it kills the adventure part. But you have a point here that one must be a bit organised and I agree with that.

Submitted by macla on Thu, 28/01/2021 - 01:28

Permalink
The last time I've disagreeing with someone was with my ex boss because I was not convinced about the way she was talking to us, so, I decided to talk to her in order to clarify this situations and express what I was feeling and well, I felt good.