Lesson 09 drill — Agree / partly agree / disagree — the polite scale
Think of agreement as a five-point scale: STRONG AGREE ('Absolutely', 'Couldn't agree more'), AGREE ('I totally agree', 'You're right'), PARTIAL ('I see your point, but…', 'Yes and no'), SOFT DISAGREE ('I'm not sure I agree', 'I'd say the opposite, actually'), STRONG DISAGREE ('I really don't agree with that'). British speakers almost never jump to the bottom — they soften disagreement with an acknowledgement first.
Strongest polite agreement:
Partial agreement starter:
Polite disagreement opener:
Which is too direct for a meeting?
Which is the most diplomatic 'no'?
Couldn't ____ more — brilliant point.
I see your ____, but the cost is huge.
Yes ____ no — it depends on the situation.
I'm ____ sure I agree, actually.
Having ____, the studies are encouraging.