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!

Discussion

When was the last time you disagreed with someone?

Download

Worksheet92.5 KB

Language level

B1 Intermediate

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Oh well, it’s like couple of days ago. Me and my colleague got a project to make report. So then we have some dissatisfaction with the conclusion part but at last we agreed on different conclusion.

The last time when i disagreed with someone was when i had to develop a new database in my work due to i dediced to use Oracle rather that SQL and my boss did'nt want to spend a lot of money buying an Oracle licence. Finally, i was able to convice him that Oracle was the best option because the results were gonna be given by its fantastic performance...

the last time I disagreed with someone is this morning at work. The answers of a colleagues didn't convinced me and i desagreed with his view point.

The last time argument was with my mom. There was a new English teacher and I was extremely uncomfortable with her teaching methods. As it was during the pandemic, I learned English with online class. However, there were many students with the background noise and I couldn't even have the conversation with the teacher. Teacher also did listen to me. It made me so furious and really pissed me off. But, my mom said that you needed to be tolerated during these time as the tutorial fees was given. So, how you guys think?

The last time I disagree with Talha and Talat.They said We are going to studying day to day for next modül exam. OK … maybe you've got a point there, but this idea is unrealistic.

Last time I disagreed with my husband, we were preparing a spaghetti meal and he wanted to put a lot of corn with it. I didn't think it fits with the spaghetti.

Hello everyone, The last time that I disagree with someone was yesterday. I am part of a group of people who are working on offering help to rural workers. One person in that group had the idea to build a mobile lab in a truck. He asked me for the price of it, and I immediately tell him that it will not work because it is so expensive to move a truck with a lab and also it requires electricity for equipment to work. I tell him that it is cheaper to pick samples and analyze them in a traditional lab. He does not agree with me, but I do not care. I am sure that for analyzing samples of water it is better a traditional lab.

The last time I disagree with is my partner in my job because he didn't accept my idea and he was so bossy.

The last time I disagreed with my coworkers on the schedule of the training programmes we prepared.

Agreeing and disagreeing

Preparation

Transcript

Task 1

Task 2

Task 3

Discussion

Language level

Online courses