Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Disagreeing Politely in a Discussion
Acknowledge an opinion, explain a different view and suggest a way to compare options.
Your speaking goal
Disagree with an idea respectfully, give one reason and propose a practical next step.
Before you start: Imagine a team choosing the format for a short project meeting. Choose a reason for preferring an online or in-person meeting.
Your six-step practice plan
- Understand: Read the goal and check the useful phrases.
- Listen or read: Follow both roles. Audio is optional.
- Repeat: Say one short line at a time, then join the words smoothly.
- Change details: Replace two details with imaginary ones.
- Role-play: Read the other person’s question, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles.
- Review: Use the “I can” checks below. Repeat any part that still needs help.
Work at your own pace. A clear message matters more than copying a particular accent.
Listen, read and notice
Roles: Priya and Noah
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Priya: I think we should hold the project meeting online.
Noah: I can see why that would be convenient. I’m not sure it’s the best option this time, though.
Priya: What concerns you?
Noah: We need to compare the printed samples, and the colours may be hard to judge on screen.
Priya: That’s a fair point. Some team members work quite far away, though.
Noah: I understand. Could we check who can come in before we decide?
Priya: Yes. We could also send everyone photos of the samples.
Noah: That might help with preparation. I’d still prefer to see the samples in person for the final comparison.
Priya: Let’s collect everyone’s availability and compare the options tomorrow.
Noah: Agreed. Then we can choose the format with that information.
Useful phrases and what they do
- I can see why ___. — Acknowledge a reason behind someone’s view.
- I’m not sure ___ is the best option. — Express a different view without calling the other person wrong.
- What concerns you? — Invite the reason for someone’s hesitation.
- Could we check ___ before deciding? — Suggest gathering information before a decision.
Say it clearly
Pause after acknowledging the other view: ‘I can see why that would be convenient. / My concern is the printed samples.’ Make your reason clear at a calm pace.
Build your own replies
I understand your point, but my concern is ___. Could we ___? → Let’s check that before deciding.
Ask and check
Do you disagree with the meeting itself, or just the format? → Just the format.
Common mistakes and alternatives
Say ‘I disagree with that idea’, rather than ‘I am disagree with that idea’. ‘That’s a fair point’ acknowledges a reasonable argument; it does not necessarily mean you now agree with the whole proposal.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
Does Noah object to having a project meeting at all?
Show answer 1 and explanation
No. He questions the online format because the team needs to compare printed samples.
Question 2
Does Priya’s ‘That’s a fair point’ settle the final format?
Show answer 2 and explanation
No. She acknowledges Noah’s reason, then raises another concern. They have not yet chosen a format.
Question 3
What next step do both speakers agree on?
Show answer 3 and explanation
Collect everyone’s availability and compare the options tomorrow. They agree on a process for deciding, even though their preferences still differ.
Your turn: make it a real exchange
Practise alone: read the other person’s line, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles. No partner is needed.
Role A
Suggest a meeting format, ask about the other person’s concern and acknowledge one useful point.
Role B
State a different view with a reason and suggest what to check before deciding.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: Your partner mistakes your disagreement for a refusal to participate. Clarify that you support the meeting but prefer a different format.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can acknowledge a different opinion.
- I can disagree with an idea and give a reason.
- I can agree on a next step while preferences still differ.