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 (261 votes)
Profile picture for user TeaAndEnglish

Submitted by TeaAndEnglish on Mon, 10/08/2026 - 22:41

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The last time I disagreed with someone was last week when my friend and I were trying to choose a movie to watch. He wanted to watch an action movie, but I really wanted to watch a comedy. In the end, we compromised and watched an action-comedy so we were both happy!

Submitted by carmen Rouse on Mon, 10/08/2026 - 17:38

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Thanks,  this helped me a lot.

Submitted by Virnanda on Sat, 08/08/2026 - 05:54

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it's about last week, when i choose a green kebaya(indonesian tradisional costume), my aunt said to choose the orange one. But, i'm still with my choice, the green one, because it more match nicely with my skin color.

Submitted by SakshiG on Fri, 07/08/2026 - 17:14

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Last time, when I had my conversation about a calculation , I was directly disagreed by my parents,  but my sister instead of supporting me,she strongly agreed to their disagreement. 

Profile picture for user Triyanct

Submitted by Triyanct on Fri, 07/08/2026 - 03:14

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Just this morning, I disagreed with one of my coworkers. He thinks that the traffic lights in my city are complicated and strange. He is from another city. At some intersections in my city, two directions that are in line with each other have green lights at the same time. This confused him when he wanted to turn right because cars from the opposite direction were still moving.

However, I don't think it's a problem. This traffic light system exists because one road is the main road, while the other is a secondary road. If all four directions had green lights separately, the main road would become heavily congested because it carries much more traffic. I think this system is more efficient.

Submitted by GlennRu on Thu, 06/08/2026 - 21:13

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I am not so sure if this is the lesson I am looking for. I am not sure this is the right lesson for me.

Submitted by ccccc.yu11 on Wed, 05/08/2026 - 08:41

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I am not convinced by the idea that I can't do any exercise because of a painful back. 

Submitted by Prayas on Tue, 04/08/2026 - 15:34

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last time, i disagreed with my parents about which career path i should choose. 

Submitted by wahidkika on Sun, 02/08/2026 - 14:26

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the last time I disagreed with someone was last week, it was with my brother about going to some place or not