Live Free / Speak Free

Agreeing and disagreeing

English is a polite language. Even when you think someone is

wrong about something, it is rude to directly contradict that
person. This means that you have to do so indirectly. You
also have to be careful to notice when an English person
wants to disagree, since you might think he is just discussing
the subject, or even that he is agreeing with you.

This section teaches how to agree politely and how to

disagree politely and how to do it rudely if you want to. It
also shows how to avoid agreeing or disagreeing.
Agree Disagree

Quiz
 Positive Agreement

If you agree with someone about an opinion, you can simply say "I
agree" or "You're right."

For example,
A: I think we need more time.
B: I agree. / You're right.

The words "so" and "too" are often used in expressions of positive
agreement.
Note that "too" usually comes at the end of the sentence, and "so"
at the beginning.
Remember to use "question order" with so.

For example,

"question order" = so + verb + subject

A: I'm in a hurry.

B: So am I. / I am too. / Me too.

A: I need to go to the bathroom.

B: So do I. / I do too. / Me too.
To agree with a positive statement:
We use so + auxiliary modal verb + pronoun:

'I like tea without sugar.'

'So do I.'

To agree with a negative statement:

We use nor/neither + auxiliary modal verb + pronoun:

'I don't like tea with sugar.'

'Nor do I.' or 'Neither do I.'
 Negative Agreement

For negative agreement, use neither in place of "so," and either in

place of "too."

For example,

A: I'm not hungry.

B: Neither am I. / I'm not either.*

A: I don't have enough money anyway.

B: Neither do I. / I don't either.*
 These expressions can also be used in the second or third person:

a. They're from Luxembourg.

b. So are we. / We are too.

a. Todd doesn't like spaghetti.

b. Neither does Louise. / Louise doesn't either.*

*Note that neither is used with "positive" verbs and either is used with
"negative" verbs.
When no verb is used in negative agreements, "neither" is more
common:

Neither do I.
I don't either.
Me neither.
Sometimes you will have to agree or disagree with an opinion.

For example:

What a beautiful baby!

You may also have to accept or reject a suggestion

For example:

Would you like to finish reading this?

Orders as Suggestions

Sometimes orders are given as suggestions - the only difference is who

gives them. If you refuse an order given as a suggestion, you must be
very polite and give a good reason. Otherwise accept the suggestion
politely.

For example:

Bus Conductor: Can you show me your ticket please?

Traveller: I'm terribly sorry, I seem to have lost it.

or

Yes, of course. Here you are

 Suggestions
Formal
A formal suggestion is a complete question. Very formal suggestions are
given in the third person.

For example:
Butler : Would Sir like to partake of coffee?
Lord Jones : I will, thank you.
or
Not at this time, thank you.

Normal formal suggestions use 'you'

Waiter : Would you like some coffee?
Harry Jones : Yes, thank you.
That would be nice, thank you.
I would indeed.
or
Not right now, thank you.
No thanks.
Do you have tea?
 Disagreeing

To express disagreement, you may simply say "I disagree" or "I don't think
so." For example,

A: I think John Doe would make a great President.

B: I disagree. / I don't think so.

You may also disagree by stating the opposite opinion, sometimes

stressing a word for emphasis.

A: I don't like chocolate ice cream.

B: Well, I do. / Well, I do.
 So / Neither ?
To disagree with a positive statement:
We use pronoun + auxiliary modal verb + not (-n't):

'I like tea without sugar.'

'I don't.'

To disagree with a negative statement:

We use pronoun + auxiliary modal verb:

'I don't like tea with sugar.'

'I do.'
 Expressing disagreement
I don't think so.
(strong) No way.
I'm afraid I disagree.
(strong) I totally disagree.
I beg to differ.
(strong) I'd say the exact opposite.
Not necessarily.
That's not always true.
That's not always the case.
No, I'm not so sure about that.
Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- I disagree with what you're saying.

- I don't agree with you/think so/see it that way.

- I couldn't agree less.

- I couldn't disagree more.

- You've got to be joking/kidding!

- You can't really be serious!

- Come off it!

 Polite disagreement
Sample phrases (from formal to informal)

- I respect your opinion/You have a right to your opinion, but I think...

- I'm not sure I can agree with what you say about...

- I understand what you're saying but...

- You could be right, but...

- But I thought...

- Yes, but...
 Agreeing and disagreeing quiz
Click on the correct letter to see if your answer is right.

1. Maggie: I love rice.

Normy: Yuk. _________ .

A. So do I.
B. I do
C. I don't
D. I prefer hamburgers.

2. Polly: My Mum can't stand techno music.

Sally: ________ mine.

A. So can
B. Neither can
C. Coal
D. So are
3. Teacher: I'm tired.
Students: _________ .

A. So are we
B. So are you
C. So am I
D. Neither is we

4. Johny: I've never been to Granada.

Sally: ___________ .

A. So I haven't
B. Neither had I
C. Neither have I
D. So have I
5. Billy: I hate tomatoes.
Lilly: ________ .

A. I do them too.
B. So do I
C. Neither do I
D. I do

6. Elly: I'd like to visit The Greek Islands.

Robby: ______________ .

A. Me too
B. So would I #6 has 2 (two)
C. So do I possible answers.
D. So had I
7. Polly: I went to the cinema on Saturday.
Pammy: What a coincidence. ____________

A. So was I
B. So did I
C. So do I
D. So went I

8. Mary: I'm not going out tonight.

Shelly: ____________ .

A. So am I
B. So do I
C. Neither am I.
D. I'm not.
9. Tommy: I don't like pears.
Sally: ________ .

A. I don't.
B. So do I
C. I do
D. Neither can I

10. Sally: I love chocolate.

Polly: ____________ .

A. I do
B. So do I
C. I love too
D. So love me
 Quiz 2

Complete the following sentences by underlining the correct

word from the options given.

During the meeting, the managers asked everyone present to give them [
agreement / feedback / information ] on the presentation that they’d just
seen. Some people said that they strongly [ disagreed / unhappy / prohibit
] with the new direction that the media company was taking. They said that
they would be much [ comfortable / happier / prefer ] if there were more
opportunity to discuss the plans before any final decision was reached. In
his role as [ fireman / editor /director ], Tim Peacock said that he would
look into the possibility of holding workshops to allow more time for
discussion between staff.