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agreeing and disagreeing

As a general rule, in English you must vary your statement of agreement or disagreement to fit the grammatical structure of what the other person has said. This contrasts with other languages.A definition: As used below, the terms positive and negative are purely grammatical. Negative refers to words of negation such as no, not, never, or in a verb, –n’t. Otherwise, the statement is positive grammatically.

Agreement

 

There are many reasons for …

There is no doubt about it that …

I simply must agree with that.

I am of the same opinion.

I am of the same opinion as …

I completely/absolutely agree with …
I think you're right
I agree with you
I couldn't agree with you more
You're absolutely right
I agree entirely
I totally agree
I agree with you up to a point, but...
That's quite true, but...
I agree with you in principle, but...
I agree.
So do I.
Me too.

Me neither. I don't either.	(Agreeing about a negative idea.) (Agreeing about a negative idea.)
You're right. That's right. Good idea. I think that's a good idea. “I understand that perfectly.” —“Me too.” (I do too; we do too) “That was a terrible film.” — “It sure was.” (“Yes it was”; other possibilities as well. You can’t simply say “Yes.”)

 

I share your view/opinion on...
Sure, i'm of the same opinion.
Yes, you're absolutely right.
I couldn't agree more
I'm with you on that.
I see eye to eye with you
I concur with...
That's the way I see it too
I see your point,but..,
I agree/concur to some extand, but..
Yes, but on the other hand...
OK, but I'm not entirely convinced..
Sure, but perhaps you should look at the other side of the coin

Qualified Disagreement

 

It is only partly true that...

I can agree with that only with reservations.

That seems obvious, but …

That is not necessarily so.

It is not as simple as it seems.

Under certain circumstances …

 

Disagreement

 

There is more to it than that.

The problem is that …

I (very much) doubt whether …

This is in complete contradiction to …

What is even worse, …

I am of a different opinion because …

I cannot share this / that / the view.

I cannot agree with this idea.

What I object to is …

Unlike … I think …
I disagree.
I don't think so.
(No.) That's not right.
Yes, but...
(I'm sorry, but) I don't agree.
“I don’t understand that all.” —“Me neither.” (I don’t either; we don’t either)
“You don’t live here.” —Yes I do (live here)
I'm not sure I agree with you
(I'm afraid) I don't agree
(I'm afraid) I disagree
(I'm afraid) I can't agree with you
(I'm afraid) I don't share your opinion
I don't agree at all
I totally disagree
I couldn't agree with you less
I totally disagree
I can't concur with you on...
I don't see eye to eye with you
I must agree to differ..
I can't subscribe to that view
That's just not true
That's wide of the mark
No way!
that's rubbish
Absolutely not!

examples

Bus Conductor: Can you show me your ticket please? Traveller: I'm terribly sorry, I seem to have lost it / Yes, of course. Here you are
Butler : Would Sir like to partake of coffee? Lord Jones : I will, thank you / Not at this time, thank you
Waiter : Would you like some coffee? Pamela: Yes, thank you. That would be nice, thank you. I would indeed. Not right now, thank you. No thanks. Do you have tea?
Sally : Coffee? Harry: Why not? Cheers I don't mind if I do. Good idea. Sure, okay. I'll pass, thanks. Let's have tea. Later, maybe
Would you like to come up for a coffee? I'd love to but it's late. Let's go to the cinema this evening. I can't. I've got to go to work early tomorrow
That film is really good. Yes, I really enjoyed it.(agreeing) I can't say it's my favourite?(disagreeing politely) What, that load of rubbish?(disagreeing rudely) I don't watch films much.(not wanting to discuss it) Oh, do you think so? What did you like about it? You didn't think it was a bit long? Well, I think it is a load of rubbish. No, it's too long and boring. It's the worst film I've seen this year
That film should be banned. You are so right. Absolutely. I totally/completely/fully agree. That's exactly what I say. Of course it should I suppose so. Well, yes, maybe it should. Should it? Okay. If you say so. Well, that's your opinion. Perhaps. Perhaps not. Mmmm. Ah. That film Do you think so? Why that one in particular? Well, it is challenging. Isn't banning it rather extreme? No, it shouldn't. That's rubbish. What are you talking about? You are so wrong. It is one of the most popular films of the year. Many people think it is a classic. It has not upset many people. I'm sorry, but I don't think so. Yes, but you want almost every film banned. Well, actually, it's not that bad as a matter of fact.

EXERCISE

01) HE CAN SPEAK GERMAN AND SO __________ SHE.

02) HE CAN SPEAK GERMAN AND SHE CAN _________.

03) HE CAN SPEAK GERMAN AND _________ CAN SHE.

04) HE CAN'T SPEAK GERMAN AND _____________ CAN SHE.

05) HE CAN'T SPEAK GERMAN AND SHE CAN'T ____________.

06) Bill: "I LOVE CHOCOLATE." Paul: "ME ____________."

07) Bill: "I DON'T LIKE ONIONS." Paul: "ME _____________."

08) Bill: "I LIKE ARBY'S." Paul: "SO __________ I."

09) Bill: "I DON'T REALLY LIKE MCDONALD'S." Paul: "________ DO I."

10)  ______________ PETER __________ GARY WILL GO TO THE THEATER.

11) THEY DON'T LIKE HOT WEATHER AND NEITHER ____________ SHE.

12) HE THINKS IT'S A GOOD IDEA AND I _______ TOO.