Hi,
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.
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.
Opinions
Opinions are stated as facts. You can agree with them, disagree (politely or rudely) ask for more information, or show that you do not want to discuss the matter
For example:
Men are no good at listening
Yes, I share your view.(agreeing)
I can’t say it’s true (disagreeing politely)
What, stop talking rubbish (disagreeing rudely)
I’m not interested in stereotypes at all.(not wanting to discuss it)
Notice that asking for more information is often a polite way of disagreeing.
For example:
Men are no good at listening.
Oh, do you think so?
It is impolite to directly confront an opinion
What you’ve said is rubbish
It’s the worst stereotype I have ever heard
Question tags
Question tags at the end of a sentence demand a response. Therefore, they are useful in asking for agreement, or in starting a discussion about an opinion.
For example:
That overgeneralization is true, isn´t it?
Yes, it is.
That stereotype is untrue!
You don’t like stereotyping, do you?
Note that when agreeing to an opinion with a question tag, ‘yes’ or ‘no’ alone are impolite. You should answer with ‘yes’, ‘no’ and then the subject pronoun and auxiliary.
For example:
He wouldn’t think so, would he?
No, he wouldn’t.
Agreeing strongly
For example:
Women are worse drivers than men
You are so right. I agree with you 100 percent.
Absolutely. I couldn´t agree with you more/I couldn´t agree more
I totally/completely/fully agree. That´s for sure.
That’s exactly what I reckon/feel/think. (Slang) Tell me about it!
Of course they are.
Agreeing mildly
For example:
Women drive worse than men.
I suppose so.
Well, yes, maybe they do.
Do they? Okay.
If you think so.
Staying neutral
For example:
Women drive worse than men.
Well, that’s your opinion.
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Mmmm.
Disagreeing mildly
For example:
Men are not able to do two different things at the same time.
Do you think so?
Isn’t saying that rather extreme?
Disagreeing strongly
For example:
Men are not able to do two different things at the same time.
No, they are. No way
That’s rubbish. I’d say the exact opposite
What are you talking about? I totally disagree
You are so wrong.
Disagreeing indirectly
Rather than confront your opinion directly, English people might tell you the reasons they disagree.
For example:
Men drive better than women
It is one of the most controversial stereotypes.
Many people think the opposite.
To make their disagreement seem less forceful, English people will use words like Well, Actually or Yes, but at the start of their sentence. They might also apologise for disagreeing
For example:
Men do nothing, but watch sports.
I’m sorry, but I don’t think so.
Yes, but you want almost every man to do everything.
Well, actually, it’s not that true.
Note: If an English person starts their disagreement by using the words ‘With the greatest respect’, or ‘with all due respect’ they are about to say something disrespectful.