Disagreement and Pushback

When to use: disagreeing without sounding rude

Chunks in this category (17)

• I get what you mean but…▾

  • I get what you mean but I still want to try the new place for lunch.
  • Sure, the car is old. I get what you mean but it still runs fine.
  • Cheap flights are always bad? I get what you mean but mine was great.
• I wouldn't say that exactly…▾

  • The meeting was a disaster? I wouldn't say that exactly, it was just a bit long.
  • Hmm, I wouldn't say that exactly. The food was okay, not terrible.
  • He's rude? I wouldn't say that exactly, he's just quiet.
• I think it depends on…▾

  • Is the train faster than the bus? I think it depends on the time of day.
  • Should we go to the beach? I think it depends on the weather tomorrow.
  • I think it depends on the price. If it's cheap, I'll buy two.
• That's one way to look at it, but…▾

  • Moving is stressful? That's one way to look at it, but it could be a fresh start.
  • Working late shows you care? That's one way to look at it, but I'd rather go home.
  • Saving every penny is smart? That's one way to look at it, but you need to enjoy life too.
• I'm not so sure about that▾

  • The store will be quiet on Saturday? I'm not so sure about that.
  • We won't need umbrellas. I'm not so sure about that. The forecast says rain.
  • Hmm, I'm not so sure about that. That diet sounds a bit extreme.
• I see your point, but I think…▾

  • I see your point, but I think we should wait until the price drops.
  • Yes, flying is faster. I see your point, but I think the train is more relaxing.
  • A bigger house would be nice? I see your point, but I think we'd never clean it.
• It's not really that simple though▾

  • Just quit your job? It's not really that simple though. I have bills to pay.
  • It's not really that simple though. Moving abroad means leaving family behind.
  • Just eat less to lose weight? It's not really that simple though.
• To be fair…▾

  • The waiter was slow. To be fair, the place was packed.
  • Tom's always late. To be fair, he did warn us this time.
  • Our holiday wasn't great. To be fair, the hotel staff were lovely.
• That's interesting but I'd argue…▾

  • Eating out saves time? That's interesting but I'd argue cooking at home is cheaper.
  • That's interesting but I'd argue that summer is the worst time to travel.
  • You prefer email to calls? That's interesting but I'd argue a quick call saves time.
• I partly agree, but…▾

  • Phones are bad for kids? I partly agree, but they help with homework too.
  • The city has more jobs, yes. I partly agree, but it's so noisy.
  • Gyms are a waste of money? I partly agree, but some people need the routine.
• I see it a bit differently▾

  • You think the job is boring? I see it a bit differently.
  • I see it a bit differently. For me, the city is relaxing.
  • Everyone says the trip was a disaster. Actually, I see it a bit differently.
• That's not always the case▾

  • Expensive restaurants have better food. That's not always the case.
  • That's not always the case. Some old cars run better than new ones.
  • Bigger gyms are always better? Well, That's not always the case.
• That may be true, but…▾

  • Taxis are fast. That may be true, but the bus is much cheaper.
  • It's a long hike. That may be true, but I still want to try it.
  • The flat is small. That may be true, but the location is perfect.
• I don't think that's quite right▾

  • The train leaves at nine? I don't think that's quite right, it's eight-thirty.
  • I don't think that's quite right. The shop opens at ten, not nine.
  • You owe me twenty? Hmm, I don't think that's quite right.
• Let's agree to disagree▾

  • You love winter and I hate it. Let's agree to disagree.
  • Let's agree to disagree. We'll never decide on the best pizza.
  • Okay, Let's agree to disagree and just enjoy dinner.
• I'm not convinced▾

  • This diet works in a week? I'm not convinced.
  • I'm not convinced. That phone seems too cheap to be good.
  • Honestly, I'm not convinced the new road will help traffic.
• I'm afraid I disagree▾

  • Summer is the worst season. I'm afraid I disagree. I love the long days.
  • I'm afraid I disagree. The old manager was much better.
  • Everyone needs a car here? Sorry, I'm afraid I disagree.