ESL Speaking: Agreeing and Disagreeing, Polite Phrases, I See Your Point But

What It Is

Agreeing and disagreeing with someone's opinion is an essential part of communication. When we agree, we show that we understand and share the same view. When we disagree, we express our own thoughts and opinions. This topic causes difficulty for ESL learners because they often struggle to use polite phrases to express their agreement or disagreement.

Key Rules

• Use I see your point to show understanding and agreement. Example: "I see your point, but I still think we should go to the beach."
• Use I understand what you mean to show understanding. Example: "I understand what you mean, but I don't think it's a good idea."
• Use I agree/disagree to express your opinion. Example: "I agree that the movie was great."
• Use However to contrast your opinion. Example: "I think we should go to the park, however, I'm not sure if it's open."
• Use On the other hand to contrast your opinion. Example: "I think we should go to the beach, on the other hand, I'm not sure if it's too crowded."
• Use In my opinion to express your personal view. Example: "In my opinion, the best way to get there is by bus."
• Use I think to express your opinion. Example: "I think we should go to the park."
• Use However, I think to contrast your opinion. Example: "I think we should go to the beach, however, I think it's too expensive."
• Use But to contrast your opinion. Example: "I think we should go to the park, but I'm not sure if it's open."
• Use Although to contrast your opinion. Example: "I think we should go to the beach, although it's raining."
• Use In contrast to contrast your opinion. Example: "I think we should go to the park, in contrast, I think it's too crowded."
• Use On the contrary to contrast your opinion. Example: "I think we should go to the beach, on the contrary, I think it's too expensive."
• Use In my view to express your personal view. Example: "In my view, the best way to get there is by bus."
• Use Personally to express your personal view. Example: "Personally, I think we should go to the park."
• Use To be honest to express your personal view. Example: "To be honest, I think we should go to the beach."
• Use Honestly to express your personal view. Example: "Honestly, I think we should go to the park."

Common ESL Errors

Error: "I see your point, but I don't think it's a good idea." Why it happens: Learners often use "I don't think" to express disagreement, but it's not polite. Correction: "I see your point, but I still think we should go to the beach." (Use "still think" to show that you understand the other person's point, but you have a different opinion.)

Error: "I agree with you, but I think we should go to the park." Why it happens: Learners often use "I agree with you" to express agreement, but it's not necessary. Correction: "I think we should go to the park." (Use "I think" to express your opinion.)

Error: "I disagree with you, however, I think we should go to the beach." Why it happens: Learners often use "I disagree with you" to express disagreement, but it's not polite. Correction: "However, I think we should go to the beach." (Use "however" to contrast your opinion.)

Practice Exercises

1. Fill in the blank: "I see your point, but I still think we should go to the ___ (beach/park) because it's free." Answer: beach Reason: The beach is a more likely place to be free.

2. Fill in the blank: "I understand what you mean, but I don't think it's a good ___ (idea/plan) because it's too expensive." Answer: idea Reason: "Idea" is a more common word to use in this context.

3. Fill in the blank: "In my opinion, the best way to get there is by ___ (bus/train) because it's faster." Answer: bus Reason: The bus is a more likely mode of transportation to be faster.

Last-Minute Revision

However and but can be used interchangeably, but however is more formal.
In my view and in my opinion can be used interchangeably, but in my view is more formal.
To be honest and honestly can be used interchangeably, but to be honest is more informal.
On the other hand and on the contrary can be used interchangeably, but on the contrary is more formal.
In contrast and on the contrary can be used interchangeably, but in contrast is more formal.
Personally and in my opinion can be used interchangeably, but personally is more informal.
I see your point and I understand what you mean can be used interchangeably, but I see your point is more formal.
I agree/disagree and I think can be used interchangeably, but I agree/disagree is more formal.
However, I think and but can be used interchangeably, but however, I think is more formal.
In my view and in my opinion can be used interchangeably, but in my view is more formal.
To be honest and honestly can be used interchangeably, but to be honest is more informal.
On the contrary and on the other hand can be used interchangeably, but on the contrary is more formal.
In contrast and on the contrary can be used interchangeably, but in contrast is more formal.
Personally and in my opinion can be used interchangeably, but personally is more informal.
I see your point and I understand what you mean can be used interchangeably, but I see your point is more formal.
I agree/disagree and I think can be used interchangeably, but I agree/disagree is more formal.