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

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Average: 4.5 (36 votes)

Submitted by malisaxx on Fri, 17/02/2023 - 12:09

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I get my best ideas during shower, speaking to myself and pretending that I am on a stage presenting my ideas to an audience. It is very productive for me, but is so bad for the environment, because I used to waste a lot of water doing that. I tried making a bath in the bathtub instead, but it didn't work. Maybe because the feeling of rushing the water through my hair causes the context for the coming of brilliant ideas in my mind.

Submitted by amirarsi_1382 on Tue, 03/01/2023 - 14:13

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I know it may seems rude, but i often have my best ideas, when i`m in bathroom.

Submitted by Bali777 on Fri, 04/11/2022 - 14:51

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I often have my best ideas during my sleep. At that time, I usually woke up suddenly and think one of my current problems. On the one hand, I really annoyed that I woke up at the middle of the night. But on the other hand, I am sleeping back happily as the best solution is just come up in my head. Does anyone have a similar experience?

Submitted by farhadwahaj on Tue, 04/10/2022 - 06:07

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Usually, I get great ideas when I am at my sleep place at night. Whenever I have got a problem or made a problem to be fixed or come up with an action plan to resolve it I think about them in the night, on the one hand, it is good to find out a way for the issue, but on the other hand at that night I sleep less than others nights.
And normally I get the best ideas about activity through brainstorming.

Submitted by marwan297 on Thu, 18/08/2022 - 18:40

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I got my best ideas when I think quietly and being away out of the trouble.

Submitted by Nandar Su Hlaing on Mon, 15/08/2022 - 09:38

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It depends on me, I need to take time to get news idea or suitable answer to do something or sometimes it came out automatically from my thought. But I know one things recently while learning English, I should have adequate knowledges and much reading to solve our potential problem and can facing difficulties.

Submitted by redragons0 on Thu, 21/07/2022 - 17:47

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Actually it's kinda funny but good ideas mostly comes to my mind when was in the toilet :) After passed the door and sit there my brain starts working more than anytime ,on the other hand I am asking myself consistently why I need to be in toilet every time to find a brilliant idea.

Submitted by meknini on Sat, 16/07/2022 - 09:42

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Ideas come popping while i am driving especially if I am cruising around with no destination in mind. It has been a habit of mine to get out and go on a long drive when I have to clear my head or am stuck. Passing by ordinary places while looking at daily scenes seem to have the magic of untangling even the most complex problems. Maybe you too do this?

Submitted by m_hiba on Mon, 30/05/2022 - 16:43

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Well, I have my best ideas when I'm relaxing on my bed without any noise or interruption.