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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Language level

Average: 4.4 (264 votes)

Submitted by VictorBritishCouncil on Sat, 18/07/2026 - 10:25

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I don't remember, but when i'm planning something with my friends i used to agree and disagree with there ideas. Sometimes my friends used to propose good ideas and sometimes worst ideas

Submitted by Hoanny on Fri, 17/07/2026 - 00:06

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Sometimes I disagree with my team at work, or I do not completely agree with their ideas, but I always try to value their point of view. I share my own ideas and, if they ask for my opinion, I explain my reasoning. The result is usually better because we discuss different options and choose the best one.

Submitted by zmkan on Sun, 05/07/2026 - 08:50

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I am not convinced that AI could help a lot with learning English. I definitely agree that personal interaction is important in learning a new language. 

well , personal interaction is very important in learning everything not just in learning languages , but conditions are not always affordable for any one, and here where the advantage of AI is 

   

Submitted by Bohdan on Wed, 01/07/2026 - 08:41

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The last time I disagreed with someone was about two months ago. It was with my dad. We were talking about the electrical wiring in the hallway. We disagreed about which wire was the live wire for the socket. We both had different opinions, but in the end we checked it and solved the problem.

Submitted by Nga. on Mon, 29/06/2026 - 13:55

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Don't get me wrong, but I think the color doesn't fit the brief.

Submitted by Judy900 on Sun, 28/06/2026 - 21:22

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"I recently had a disagreement with my supervisor regarding how much input parents should have. One parent completely misunderstood a lesson and kept challenging my approach. But in the end, her daughter's great results proved that my teaching methods actually worked."