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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Submitted by Luiscarza on Sun, 07/08/2022 - 21:06

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In my job, sometimes I disagree with some colleagues. It is normal. And they disagree with me in other situations. But it’s okay.

Submitted by messa.chaima on Tue, 26/07/2022 - 19:36

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me and my sister always disagree, when we go outside together or when we have fun, when we want to cook or when we discuss about somthing; she never have got my point.

Submitted by rockerangela on Tue, 19/07/2022 - 11:26

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The last time when I disagreed with someone was yesterday. I wanted to eat pasta with cheese and my mother decided to cook beans with tomato...

Submitted by mo2men144 on Mon, 18/07/2022 - 19:26

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I think it happens all the time with me and my family on discussing every thing in sports , in politics and in our work .

Submitted by Alaa hussin on Sun, 17/07/2022 - 12:03

In reply to by alaa_lola

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Few days ago, me and my friend are disageed about the outfit that we are going to select for the prom day, i agreed about the dark purple color but she selected the very brighty mint green color, i think it is not getting fit, and i am not convinced by that color, but at the end we got the point and we agreed with bright purple color

Submitted by Lily-Rosie on Fri, 08/07/2022 - 15:52

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It was about two days ago that I disagree with my brother in choosing what to eat as snacks. He said that he'd eat potato crisps though we already planned to go outside and buy sth, not crisps. So, I was not convinced by that idea. Finally, we chose to order fried chicken and maybe we'd got a point there.

Submitted by alexiamontes2004 on Fri, 01/07/2022 - 01:32

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When was the last time you disagreed with someone?

It was a few days ago when I did not agree with my cousin about the criticism of a book that we read together since she had different opinions about it than mine.

Submitted by marinacaldas on Wed, 29/06/2022 - 20:14

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Last night, I was talking to my friend about a project and he was telling me his ideas. Unfortunately, we where thinking different about the same thing, so we have to discuss and come to a conclusion. At the end of the discussion, we agreed with each other.

Submitted by khalid muhammed on Mon, 27/06/2022 - 20:27

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Yesterday I disagreed with my teammate about what design of a sprocket is suitable for our car project, he said we have to use 12 teeth sprocket and I see it better to be 14 teeth after we discussed it a long time and tried to prove our opinions mathematically, we asked our team leader to give us his point of view and he said we should give him time to think and will us his opinion today, we are still waiting.