1. Skills
  2. Speaking
  3. B1 speaking
  4. Agreeing and disagreeing

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.

Preparation

Speaking B1: Agreeing and disagreeing – preparation

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!

Task 1

Speaking B1: Agreeing and disagreeing – 1

Task 2

Speaking B1: Agreeing and disagreeing – 2

Task 3

Speaking B1: Agreeing and disagreeing – 3

Discussion

When was the last time you disagreed with someone?

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Worksheet92.5 KB

Language level

B1 Intermediate
Average: 4.4 (170 votes)
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Submitted by Eman.F.R. on Sat, 06/02/2021 - 05:49

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The last time I disagreed with someone was yesterday with my brother. We were talking about travelling abroad.I think we should set a goal and then we have to make a plan for achieving it within a definite time frame. He disagreed with me and said " I see what you mean, but it looks a bit easy ". I said "Don't get me wrong , I know it is not so sofisticated , but i think you should be a bit organized ! " .
Don't get me wrong but I also disagree with you. I think one should not plan so much and make set of goals before travels, as it kills the adventure part. But you have a point here that one must be a bit organised and I agree with that.

Submitted by macla on Thu, 28/01/2021 - 01:28

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The last time I've disagreeing with someone was with my ex boss because I was not convinced about the way she was talking to us, so, I decided to talk to her in order to clarify this situations and express what I was feeling and well, I felt good.
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Submitted by Asolwis220 on Tue, 26/01/2021 - 09:39

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The last time that I´ve disagreeing with someone, was with my cousin for she don´t like to eat vegetables and healthy food and for her was very important in this moment eat good, because she was a little ill and she needed to eat brocoli and salads, however in the end she thanked me for being so insistent because, she improved a lot.

Submitted by Htet Su Naing on Fri, 22/01/2021 - 18:34

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I disagreed with my boyfriend yesterday. We talked about Korea drama and argued why we are not much romantic like in the drama. He told me that the real world has not background music and slow motion. I'm not sure for his answer. Do you agree or disagree?

Submitted by Fernanda Dominguez on Thu, 21/01/2021 - 02:46

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The last time I disagree with someone was yesterday, my sister and I were trying to make a familiar recipe and remembered different ingredients. At the end it worked.

Submitted by German on Wed, 20/01/2021 - 02:16

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The last time I disagreed with someone was today because mi wife and I discused about a topic
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Submitted by Oksi1001 on Mon, 18/01/2021 - 13:15

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We have been doing appartment renovation with my boyfriend. And disagree to each other quite often. Last time was 2 days ago. We chose a washing machine and i liked one, but my boyfriend thinks this one is agly and inappropriate.He offered one, that not better than my choise. We are looking for a compromise currently.

Submitted by nancyvirginiare on Wed, 13/01/2021 - 19:48

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The last time i disagree with someone was with my mom talking about the best way to set up new prices for products in our familia business.