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 (243 votes)

Submitted by _Chaithu_ on Mon, 15/12/2025 - 09:41

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Yesterday I was talking to my uncle.He advise d me to prepare for  finanace certification  and clear the exam before applying  jobs related to that profile .He also suggested that i should not take the job I have been offered now .I understand his point and value in his suggestion .but Iam not fully convinced . while iam interested in  pursuing Finance course but its not what i want to focus exclusively in this moment. So I   plan to pursue  it parallely with the job.

Submitted by kudayannic on Tue, 02/12/2025 - 16:21

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Hello everyone,

I really appreciated the exercise. My point of view on agreeing and disagreeing is depend of circumstances. Whenever a situation or a problem is fair I always agree and if not, of course I disagree. In my work place, I always got a point by applying norms. Sometimes in face of rushing customers asking me to quickly perform the job without applying the norms because of time delay, I respond: Don't get me wrong, as I am Engineer, I am a norm base...So at the end, we all agree!

Submitted by Nova_Pearl on Mon, 24/11/2025 - 03:43

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This morning I had an argument with my husband regarding the rules given to my daughter. Raising a teenage in recent days is a great and difficult challenge for us.

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Submitted by Famo on Mon, 10/11/2025 - 17:48

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beautiful and simple to understand it 

 

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Submitted by Geka Dewii on Wed, 05/11/2025 - 03:29

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The last time I disagreed with someone, it was my husband. He had a different perspective on something that happened in our family which caused a small disagreement between us. I told him that it's not wise to always take his family's side. He needs to listen to my opinion too, so our relationship can work better. Don't get me wrong, he's actually a very nice guy and I love him so much.

Submitted by Ali_shuait on Sun, 02/11/2025 - 08:16

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Learning these things has given me my own thoughts from another perspectives, so now I can say I'm agree or I'm disagree for every who doesn't match my opinions and thoughts regardless of who's or where did they come from, thanks British council 💙