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 (219 votes)

Submitted by amira fadel on Sun, 20/07/2025 - 12:16

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last week i disagreed with my friends about the day we were planning to go out and gathering because i had work but they have got a point there and we agreed with each other difinitely

 

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Submitted by WAJD. on Fri, 18/07/2025 - 10:24

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“I disagree with my husband about taking our little daughter to the cinema with my coworkers and their children. He isn’t convinced by the idea, but I am. I’m trying to change his mind and persuade him.”

 

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Submitted by Otmani Manel on Sat, 12/07/2025 - 21:43

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That last time I discussed with somebody is this week with my mother about a thing that concerns our family but both of us had the same opinion In fact we agreed 

Submitted by ahmedboss on Fri, 11/07/2025 - 18:17

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yesterday we talked-about the social media effects some of my freinds they thought it is so useful but i disagree with them it is like wasting of time.

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Submitted by reka 25 on Sun, 06/07/2025 - 16:35

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yes, yesterday with my mom she wants to do something and see that is right and doesn't affect on her health but I see the opposite

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Submitted by Alaa.benmiya on Fri, 04/07/2025 - 18:50

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most of the time i disagree with my wife about the earth being flat but she believes that the earth is round. But after researchs she definitely agreed that the earth is flat.

Submitted by Ebrahim_Shaibani on Mon, 30/06/2025 - 16:01

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Actually, I often face disagreement at work. I work with people who are not convinced about improving their performance, they resist change, and they are not interested in adopting modern management technique.

Submitted by Naoko on Thu, 26/06/2025 - 23:54

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I disagree with my husband last night when I found a cigarette box on the desk in his room.

We had agreed that we never have cigarette because we had lost beloved ones because of ciagette-related disease each other. Nevertheless, he has been kept a new cigarette box that a friend of him gave it to him and hiding it from me. 

I asked him to throw away it right there, but he would not. He insisted that it was no problem only to keep it because he had no intent to smoke it. 

I do not care whether he actually smoke or not smoke. For me, the point is he has no considerate for my pain reminded by cigarette.

 

Submitted by TeresitaBelkis on Wed, 25/06/2025 - 03:20

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I don’t agree that my family refuses to share household chores . It gets me upset when my children or husband don´t consider I could be tired of working all day in the office. I have explained to them that it would be helpful and a quicker matter  for me if  everyone makes a little task at home, like putting their personal items away, taking the garbage out , putting the dishes away, or doing some shopping for me. Some people would say I shouldn´t  do that for them, but its home, and I certainly don’t like seeing everything upside down. Some points of view are difficult to be changed, especially, when it involves modifying habits. Its not that they don´t care about me, but I think they are just too lazy at doing household chores. On the other hand, my family says I´m too concerned about having every thing solved at once, and that task could be made later. May be they have a point there, but the problem is that their “doing later

 could become in “never doing it”and just wait for another person to fulfill de work.

I agree with you 💯 percent all the family members must share the household chores because they are living in that house even if they do small things but they do matter and I advise you if you don't see any change on them do not ask for help again and try to take a rest maybe for some days and try to do only the important things you can just cook for them once in a day and don't wash the dishes do not wash their clothes or you can say that you are sick and see if they are going to help best of luck 💕

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