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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thanks a lot for British council team, it s amazing way to help us in speaking

Hi guys, Sometimes, when people told me something, I like to disagree with them just to have more explanations and check if they are convince about what they are saying to me...and sometimes it's quite funny. So I'm qualify as a guy with a spirit of contradiction...hope you are not agree with that ;)

Last discussion I had it was with my girlfriend. It was about how the quality of the language can change our lifes. She defended that you cannot measure the quality of the language, she was completely sure that every of them worth the same. In the other hand, I believe that due to the complexity of the languages, there are some better than others, and you can take advantage of it to grow as a person.

Dear team. What is the different from: I don't aggre with you. And I disagree with you. Which one more polite ?? Thank you very much for your answer

Hello fahri,

'I don't agree' and 'I disagree' are both polite, but 'I disagree' is more formal. If it's a normal speaking situation, 'I don't agree' is probably the best form to use.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Dear team. From the lesson above. I like them, but I don't think they fit the brief. The question: What is that means 'fit the brief' ??? Thank you very much for your answer

Hello fahri,

In this context, a 'brief' is a set of instructions. Paul is telling Emir that he thinks Emir's design doesn't follow the instructions they received from the client.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

i don't remember any situation right now :)

very useful phrases:)

Two days ago, I hade family discussion with my kids on setting a family budget. Many points were raised up and this gave room to many agreements and disagreements. In the end we came up with acceptable solutions for each and every body for the best functioning of the home. Every opinion was taken into consideration in respect of each family member.

Agreeing and disagreeing

Preparation

Transcript

Task 1

Task 2

Task 3

Discussion

Language level

Online courses