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 LamVanPhuong on Thu, 21/10/2021 - 12:00

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it is only recently, me and my friends we had a group homework. My friend gave bad ideas and of course I objected to those ideas. after that, we had a long discussion, finally we have come to a joint decision and finish our group homework.

Submitted by arturo.barrios on Mon, 18/10/2021 - 01:28

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with my wife, we are disagree about the education of our childs, she´s very permissive and my teenager daugther wants to hang out with her friends all days, and our son dont have control with with the time tha he pass with video games, I put rules but my kids revel against my directions.

Submitted by stefanomalinconico on Wed, 06/10/2021 - 18:43

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By the end of my course in the college, I was hired to a position in a company where the experienced consultant did not have a high knowledge level in a technology that became very used on that time. I was chosen by recruiters exactly because I had a good background in this technology. So, this situation made me face a lot of disagreement with this consultant.

it's case by case because we have a lot of discussion in work or in life. Some time I agree or disagree with anothers idea.

Submitted by siddhuk2002 on Mon, 04/10/2021 - 07:05

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Hi all! It depends on a lot of situations. Sometimes I disagree with my brother when he's telling a lie. Sometimes it escalates to fights.

Submitted by krigss91350 on Fri, 10/09/2021 - 07:57

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i was disagreed with one client of mine yesterday. He wants to cover his balcony by lime boards instead of pines ones. I didn't try to persuade him to change this decision because he has already bought this lime boards and insulation as well. Soon after his balcony will have been covered by these lime boards there are appear mold and mildew because of moisture and because that lime boards don't have resin inside theirselves.

Submitted by Celise Monteir… on Sat, 04/09/2021 - 02:29

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Im my work, I desagree with one collegue all the time. But, I improve to deal with a conflict, and many times I stop to listean, I explain my ideas and we try to reach a consensus.

Submitted by KarenAvdalyan on Mon, 30/08/2021 - 11:14

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I often disagree with my colleague when we discuss a new task or feature about the project, however like in the video above we always find a way to agree with each other.
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Submitted by carolina guerrero on Fri, 02/07/2021 - 03:21

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the last time I'm desagree whit someone was when I did an university's work whit a friend. Was difficult to agree.