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

Hello everyone, the last time I disagreed on something was when i and my wife had different thoughts about the groceries buying budget.I had my own list in mind while she had her own, but when it came to the real budget on the list , we had to choose which item on the list had to go away., I just never agreed on the ideas of removing or trimming the number of items from my list to balance the budget, likewise, she didn't like that to happen to hers.

Desagreeing and agreeing its important. I learned how to desagrre in a frendly maner

In the last time, I disagreed with my big brother, he was wanting make a business in tourism field but I'm not convinced by that idea, after so that the covid-19 happened and everything stopped around the world, then he lost all his money.

Hi guys! Recently I have argue with my family, that self -education more important, than education. And need to try most of all . They said me : We think you don't right . What do you think ,who right???

The last time I disagree with someone was when I was talking about politics. My friend doesn't have the same opinion as me.

The last time that I disagreed with is my friend. At that time, we were doing a presentation. But I think we disagreed because we didn't understand each other!

Dear Team, what do you mean in this phrase : there's just a bit too much going on.

Hello Momocompanyman,

Paul means that the design is not clean and simple, but rather distracting because there are many elements -- for example, perhaps there are too many colours or too many lines. 'too much' refers to those design elements and 'going on' just means something like 'there are' here.

Does that make sense?

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Hello Mr Kirk, Thanks a lot.

Agreeing and disagreeing

Preparation

Transcript

Task 1

Task 2

Task 3

Discussion

Language level

Online courses