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?

Download
Worksheet92.5 KB

Language level

B1 Intermediate
Average: 4.4 (170 votes)
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Submitted by Bayader Gasmalla on Tue, 06/10/2020 - 18:48

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I often got an argumentative topics, but i respect others opinions otherwise i try to convince them and find the best solutions!

Submitted by DEUTOU DEUTOU Martin on Wed, 30/09/2020 - 10:51

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it was very interesting

Submitted by ana cerqueira on Tue, 29/09/2020 - 11:01

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I don’t remember, but it is a constant in our job. Is important to register the points but with respect to each other

Submitted by fariba on Tue, 22/09/2020 - 08:27

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one month a go i was disagree with my colleague.

Submitted by Lionz on Mon, 21/09/2020 - 19:56

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there was conversation between me and my friend about taking my master degree abroad or in my country but in the end we agreed that taking it from aus will be better
The same as me happened last week , my friend was telling me that we have to do it in our country because of the difficult situation of the world but I tried to convince her that it is a good opportunity so we have to go despite the problems.

Submitted by Ray Or on Sun, 20/09/2020 - 08:30

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Is it Possible to have a group discussion to practice will all learners ?

Hello Ray Or,

No, I'm afraid that's not possible on LearnEnglish. You might want to look into our English Online courses, where you'd be in a virtual classroom with a teacher and other students.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Daniel FYT on Fri, 18/09/2020 - 18:03

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Very interesting! Could you advise me a dictionary where I can find translation (in French) of some expressions like “don't get me wrong”, “ they fit the brief” “too much going on” Yes that’s funny. They are all in the same phrase ;-) Thanks Emir

Hello Emir,

The Cambridge Dictionary has an English–French dictionary, but I'm not sure you will find translations of phrases such as these. I'd recommend WordReference and/or Linguee, though it's also a good idea for you to do a little searching, as you might find something even more useful.

Hope this helps.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team