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This lesson is the second part of our series on agreeing and disagreeing.
Today, we're going to look at how to disagree.
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It's great to be able to support other people's ideas by agreeing.
But you won't get far in business if you just agree with everything.
You need to be able to disagree confidently and politely.
Only then can you convince people that you have an even better idea.
In this lesson, we're going to talk about how to disagree.
Sometimes you'll need formal, polite expressions.
And sometimes you can use shorter, more informal expressions.
And to take things to the next level, you can learn how to disagree using the yes, but approach.
Another effective technique is to use questions to disagree.
As you can see, you've got lots of options for disagreeing.
In today's dialogue, we're going to listen again to a conversation between Jean, Louis, and Karina.
They work for a pharmaceutical or drug company, and they're talking about the tests of a new drug.
During their conversation, they use many different expressions for disagreeing.
As you listen to the dialogue, try to answer the following questions.
1.
How does Karina start her first statement to show she disagrees?
2.
What negative question does Karina use to show disagreement about the test results?
3.
How does Jean disagree with Karina's statement that there may still be issues with the new drug?
So, what do you think about the new Xorax trial?
This could be the drug we've all been waiting for.
I think it's going to be a big seller.
So do I. I'm sorry, but I really can't agree.
After all, so far we've only carried out two trials.
And don't forget the strange results from the first trial.
Yes, I admit the first trial was a little disappointing.
But that doesn't take anything away from these new results.
Absolutely amazing.
Yes, fantastic, aren't they?
Especially for men over 60.
Don't you think it's still a little early, to be so sure?
Perhaps we shouldn't count our chickens before they're hatched.
I still think there may be some issues with Zorax.
Do you really think so?
Anyway, we don't have anything else coming down the pipeline right now.
We have to try to make this work.
Yes, of course.
But our patients come first.
The patients always come first.
We won't forget that.
Now, Karina, let's talk about these issues one by one.
Now let's go through the dialogue again and look at the language the three colleagues use to disagree.
At the start, Gene talks about how he believes the new drug will be a big seller or very popular.
Let's hear how Louis and Karina react.
So, what do you think about the new Xorax trial?
This could be the drug we've all been waiting for.
I think it's going to be a big seller.
So do I. I'm sorry, but I really can't agree.
After all, so far we've only carried out two trials.
And don't forget the strange results from the first trial.
While Louis agrees with Jean, Carina does not.
But it's not very polite to just say, I don't agree.
Instead, Karina starts with I'm sorry, but Adding a polite expression like this at the start helps to soften the disagreement.
Let's practice some more polite expressions for disagreeing.
As you'll see, we often start with an apology like I'm sorry or I'm afraid.
I'm not so sure, to be honest.
I'm afraid I don't agree.
I'm sorry, but that's not the way I see it.
I beg to differ.
In her situation, Karina needs to be quite formal.
But sometimes that's not necessary.
Sometimes we are debating with people we know well.
Or sometimes we want to be very direct to show just how much we disagree.
In that case, we can use some shorter, more informal expressions.
Let's run through some of these informal expressions for disagreeing.
Just remember, these expressions are pretty direct, so be careful how you use them.
Seriously?
Come off it.
To explain why she disagreed.
Karina mentioned the strange results from the first drug trial or test.
Does Louis agree that the first test means they shouldn't be excited about the results of the new test?
Let's listen.
Yes, I admit the first trial was a little disappointing.
But that doesn't take anything away from these new results.
Absolutely amazing.
Louis is using a very common and simple way to disagree with someone.
He starts by saying yes and agreeing with Karina's statement.
Then he says but before stating why he disagrees.
Sometimes we don't take the time to repeat the other person's statement after yes.
In that case, we just say yes, but before saying the reason we disagree.
Let's practice this yes, but method with a couple of short dialogues.
I felt the presentation was a bit long.
Yes, but it was very informative.
This company's quote is too expensive.
Yes, it's expensive, but they do quality work.
Now let's get back to the dialogue.
As we hear Jean and Louis get even more excited about the new drug.
Yes, fantastic, aren't they?
Especially for men over 60.
Don't you think it's still a little early to be so sure?
Karina is using another polite way of disagreeing.
She could just say, it's still a little early, which is quite direct.
But instead, she starts with don't you think to make a negative question.
This is a way to soften our disagreement.
Karina could have said, isn't it a little early, for the same effect.
But saying don't you think is probably the most common way of disagreeing with a negative question, as you can hear in these examples.
I'm thinking that maybe we should raise our prices.
Don't you think customers would complain?
I really like these new ads.
Don't you think the colors look strange?
Next, Karina uses an idiom that means they shouldn't get too excited too soon.
Listen for that idiom.
Then you will hear Jean disagree using another type of question.
Perhaps we shouldn't count our chickens before they're hatched.
I still think there may be some issues with Zorax.
Do you really think so?
Anyway, we don't have anything else coming down the pipeline right now.
We have to try to make this work.
In this case, Gene just wants to cast doubt on Karina's statement that there may be still problems or issues with Xarax.
He isn't giving his reasons for disagreeing.
He just wants to show he doesn't agree.
To do that, Gene just asks, do you really think so?
He knows she thinks so, but asking a simple question like this just says I don't think so.
Let's try some more questions for showing disagreement.
Do you really think so?
Are you sure about that?
Is that right?
In Jean's opinion, they don't have any other promising new drugs in development, so they should focus on Xorax.
Let's listen to the end of the dialogue, as Karina disagrees by using one of the approaches we've already learned.
Yes, of course, but our patients come first.
The patients always come first.
We won't forget that.
Now, Karina, let's talk about these issues one by one.
Clearly, the yes-but way of disagreeing is pretty popular, and Jean clearly agrees with Karina's point about patience coming first.
That's all part of the back and forth of agreement and disagreement in conversations like this.
Now let's practice some of the language we learned in today's lesson.
In a moment, you'll hear a series of statements that you need to express agreement with.
Before each statement, I'll explain which approach to use.
Then after the beep, you can say your answer.
Once we've gone through all the examples, we'll hear some model answers to compare to yours.
Ready?
Let's give it a go.
Start by disagreeing with this statement using the expression, I'm afraid.
I think the candidate from New York is the best.
Now use a simple question to show that you disagree with this comment.
I think we can finish everything today.
Next, disagree using the yes-but approach and say it's helping to increase sales.
We're spending a lot of money on marketing.
Finally, use a negative question to ask if she thinks the new laptops are a bit slow.
These new laptops are amazing.
How did you do?
Let's listen to some example answers.
You'll hear each statement followed by a model answer.
I think the candidate from New York is the best.
I'm afraid I don't agree.
I think we can finish everything today.
Seriously?
We're spending a lot of money on marketing.
Yes, we are, but it's helping to increase sales.
These new laptops are amazing.
Answer.
Don't you think they're a bit slow?
And finally, we've covered using questions and negative questions to show we disagree.
For more practice.
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