📌 What You’ll Find in This Article:
- Key vocabulary and example phrases for agreeing and disagreeing in English
- Synonym alternatives to each core expression
- Common pronunciation mistakes and how to fix them
- Cultural tips for polite disagreement in English-speaking offices
- A full practice dialogue and teacher-student breakdown
- Downloadable worksheet with exercises
- Sneak peek at the next FluentMinds episode
🎧 Welcome back to the FluentMinds Podcast — your space to master real English for real situations. In Episode 2B, we focus on a high-stakes skill for professional communication: how to agree and disagree politely in meetings.
For many English learners, the fear isn’t vocabulary — it’s tone. How do you express your opinion without sounding rude? How do you disagree in a way that sounds respectful, not confrontational?
In this episode, Alex and Sam walk through natural ways to agree, disagree, and offer other viewpoints during workplace discussions. You’ll learn phrases used every day in professional settings, along with pronunciation and intonation tips to help you sound calm, confident, and collaborative.
👉 FluentMinds_Ep2B_Worksheet
👉 FluentMinds_Ep2B_Script_FULL
📌 What You’ll Find in This Article:
- Key vocabulary and example phrases for agreeing and disagreeing in English
- Synonym alternatives to each core expression
- Common pronunciation mistakes and how to fix them
- Cultural tips for polite disagreement in English-speaking offices
- A full practice dialogue and teacher-student breakdown
- Downloadable worksheet with exercises
- Sneak peek at the next FluentMinds episode
🔍 What You’ll Learn in Episode 2B:
- How to show agreement without sounding robotic
- How to disagree respectfully in meetings
- Phrases for softening your opinion or offering alternatives
- Intonation and rhythm tips to avoid sounding rude or unsure
- Cultural nuances of polite disagreement in English-speaking workplaces
💬 Why This Matters for Your English
In business, how you say something is often more important than what you say. This episode helps you:
- Replace awkward silence with fluent, professional responses
- Gain confidence in sharing your ideas, even if you disagree
- Avoid sounding too aggressive or too passive
- Build real-world speaking habits you can use right away
- Understand how tone and stress change meaning in subtle but powerful ways
🗣️ Featured Vocabulary
Here are the 4 key phrases we practice in Episode 2B:
“I see your point, but…”
Use this to show you’re listening before gently disagreeing.
“Can I offer another perspective?”
Polite and professional. Invites collaboration.
“I’d like to push back on that slightly.”
Very common in tech and business meetings. Shows critical thinking without confrontation.
“Absolutely. And to add to that…”
A strong way to agree and build on someone else’s idea.
🔄 Synonym Phrases You Can Also Use:
- “I agree with you in part, but…”
- “That’s a good point. Have we considered…?”
- “I hear what you’re saying, though I’d suggest we also look at…”
- “Another way to think about this is…”
- “You’re right — and maybe we can take it a step further.”
- “That’s valid. On the other hand…”
These expressions offer slightly different levels of formality and tone, giving you flexibility depending on the situation or audience.
⚠️ Common Pitfalls for English Learners
Many learners hesitate to speak up when they disagree — not because they don’t know what to say, but because they’re afraid of sounding rude. Here are some key issues:
1. Translating directly from your native language:
In many languages, disagreement sounds much more direct. English tends to “soften” disagreement with polite lead-ins.
2. Overusing qualifiers like “maybe” or “just”:
These words are useful, but too many can make you sound unsure. Learn when to use them — and when to be more direct.
3. Rising intonation at the end of a disagreement:
In English, this can make you sound uncertain or sarcastic. Instead, try letting your voice fall slightly at the end of your phrase.
The good news? These are habits you can fix — and this episode will help you practice.
🎙️ Real Dialogue, Real Practice
This isn’t a vocabulary list. It’s a coaching session.
Alex helps Sam try each phrase, practice intonation, and sound more fluent. Here’s a snippet:
Alex: Try saying, “I see your point, but I’d like to push back on that slightly.”
Sam: I see your point… but… I’d like to push back on that… slightly.
Alex: Good start. Now say it in one breath, and let your tone fall a bit at the end.
Sam: I see your point, but I’d like to push back on that slightly.
Alex: Perfect. Sounds respectful, not defensive. That’s the goal.
📥 Download the Free Worksheet (PDF)
Your worksheet includes:
- ✅ A Vocabulary Cheat Sheet with all 4 phrases and explanations
- ✅ A script excerpt from the podcast episode
- ✅ 3 written exercises to apply what you learned
👉FluentMinds_Ep2B_Worksheet
👉 FluentMinds_Ep2B_Script_FULL
✍️ Exercises from the Worksheet
1. Fill in the Blank
Complete the phrase:
- I see your ______, but…
- Can I offer another ______?
- I’d like to push back on that ______.
- Absolutely. And to ______ to that…
2. Rewrite for Fluency
Make these sound more natural:
- I don’t agree.
- You’re wrong.
- That’s not right.
3. Match the Meaning
A. I see your point, but…
B. Can I offer another perspective?
C. I’d like to push back on that slightly.
D. Absolutely. And to add to that…
- You agree, but want to expand.
- You want to challenge someone’s idea.
- You respect their view, but have a different one.
- You offer a new way of thinking.
🔊 Listen to the Full Episode
🎧 Watch or listen to FluentMinds Podcast Episode 2B on YouTube.
💬 Comment your favorite new phrase or tell us:
How do YOU usually disagree in English?
📣 What’s Next?
In Episode 2C, we’ll tackle how to talk to your boss:
- Giving updates
- Requesting extensions
- Managing up without anxiety
Don’t miss it — and bring your real-life questions!
👥 Ready for More Help?
Join our Beginner English Course for:
- Small-group coaching
- Business English speaking practice
- Vocabulary that fits your daily life
💡 Fluent English isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection.
See you in the next episode!
