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 (173 votes)

Submitted by hatice2 on Thu, 29/08/2024 - 16:56

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When was the last time you disagreed with someone?

The last  time  I disagreed with someone was yesterday. Actually I often disagreed with him becouse we think different about a lot of things. But this is not problem. I think his is normall. But the problem is he dont accept any ıdea of others . He thinks he always thinks right and does rights. Every thing ecept him is wrong . So I m tired whwn I discuss with him 

Submitted by Karine Degrève on Thu, 29/08/2024 - 11:37

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Yesterday I disagreed with a supplier who was trying to obtain information through the sales department that we refused to give to the purchasing department. 

Submitted by larrykkk on Sun, 18/08/2024 - 15:56

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i offen disagree someone, specailly in work time, my job is to build a website ui and interaction, but sometimes ui designer was design a too hard to make ui or impossable, so i need to disagree then at the design, but i will try do my best to fit desgin, ah totally my job is need discuss, but sometimes i feel lazy to discuss, ah, i hate my job

Submitted by Squardsz on Sat, 10/08/2024 - 15:23

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"My mom and I almost agree on taking a trip to Portugal at the end of the month."

Submitted by Iago Nascimento on Wed, 31/07/2024 - 01:39

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All of my life I desagreed with my father, today can be a politics, tomorrow who knows, other subjetc. Always fightened, but, after a long time learning with life, we learn, we come back to begin and we have other relationship type.

 

Thanks for your time to read this comment.

 

Submitted by Gennifer on Thu, 25/07/2024 - 13:47

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Two days ago, I disagreed with my daughter. She is a young teenager and it is very difficult for us to agree at some point.

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Submitted by renatamda on Tue, 09/07/2024 - 18:55

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My husband and I agree with our daughter's trip at the end of the year.

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Submitted by ziedo on Wed, 03/07/2024 - 13:33

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My teacher told me that the earh spin arounds the sun and i think i agree with him

Submitted by Narsea Ti on Thu, 13/06/2024 - 15:36

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Last night, I had a conversation with my senior teacher who has more experiences and knowledge than me. I am not convinced the idea that she mentioned about my personal health. She got me wrong when i explain about my case and i don't think that would be fit the brief. But occasionally, she sees what i mean.