There are lots of ways to agree and disagree in English.
Some are very direct, while others sound softer and more polite.
In this lesson, you’ll learn natural phrases you can use in everyday conversations and at work. You’ll also see how to agree partly, add to someone’s point and disagree without sounding too direct.
At a glanceUseful ways to agree and disagree in English
- I agree.
- I think so too.
- Exactly.
- That’s true.
- You’re absolutely right.
- I feel the same way.
- I’m not sure I agree.
- I see it differently.
- I see your point, but…
- I don’t think so.
- I have a different view.
- That’s a good point, but…
Watch the lesson
Prefer to learn by listening and watching? Watch the video first, then use the phrases below to practise.
How to agree in English
Simple ways to agree
I agree.
A: I think we need more time.
B: I agree.
I think so too.
A: The new system is much easier to use.
B: I think so too.
Exactly.
A: We need to speak to the client first.
B: Exactly.
That’s true.
A: It’ll take longer than we expected.
B: That’s true.
You’re absolutely right.
A: We should check the figures again before we send them.
B: You’re absolutely right.
Absolutely.
A: We need to deal with this today.
B: Absolutely.
Agreeing and adding something
Sometimes you agree, but you also want to add another point.
- I agree. I’d also add that…
- That’s a good point. I think we should also…
- Yes, I think so too. We also need to consider…
- Exactly. And another thing is…
A: I think we should speak to the client before we make any changes.
B: I agree. I’d also add that we should confirm the new deadline with them.
Partly agreeing
You can agree with part of what someone says without agreeing with everything.
- I agree up to a point.
- I agree with the general idea, but…
- That’s true, although…
- I can see what you mean, but…
A: We should launch the new version next week.
B: I agree with the general idea, but I think next week may be too soon.
What does “fair enough” mean?
Fair enough often means:
- I understand your reason.
- I accept what you’re saying.
A: I can’t join the meeting because I’ll be with a client.
B: Fair enough.
Fair enough doesn’t always mean that you agree with the person’s opinion. It usually means you accept their reason.
How to disagree in English politely
You don’t always need to say I disagree. These phrases can sound softer:
- I’m not sure I agree.
- I see your point, but…
- I understand what you mean, but…
- I see it a little differently.
- I have a slightly different view.
- That’s a good point, but…
- I’m not sure that would work in this case.
Add a reason
A short reason makes the disagreement much easier to accept.
- I see your point, but I’m not sure we have enough time.
- That’s a good point, but I think we need to check the figures first.
- I understand what you mean, but I see the situation a little differently.
Is “I don’t agree” rude?
I don’t agree is correct English. It is simply more direct.
With friends or during an open discussion, it may be completely natural. At work, particularly with a manager or client, you may prefer:
- I’m not sure I agree.
- I see your point, but…
- I have a slightly different view.
Stronger ways to disagree
- I don’t agree with that.
- I completely disagree.
- I don’t think that’s right.
- I really don’t think so.
Use these when you want to make your disagreement very clear.
What does “I doubt it” mean?
I doubt it usually means that you think something is unlikely, or you don’t believe it will happen.
A: Do you think they’ll finish today?
B: I doubt it.
I doubt it doesn’t simply mean I disagree. It is about how likely something is.
Not sure what you’d say in a real meeting?
Try 8 real workplace situations and see which phrases sound natural, clear and professional.
Take the free quiz →How to give your opinion before you agree or disagree
Natural ways to give your opinion
- I think…
- In my view…
- From my point of view…
- Personally, I think…
- I’d say…
- My view is that…
When you are less certain
- I suppose…
- It seems to me that…
- I tend to think…
Examples
- I think we should wait until we have the final figures.
- In my view, the second option is safer.
- I’d say we need another week.
- It seems to me that the main problem is the deadline.
“I think” or “in my opinion”?
I think is completely natural in everyday and workplace English: I think we should wait.
In my opinion is also correct, but it can sound slightly more deliberate or formal: In my opinion, we should wait.
More phrases in action
Watch the second lesson to hear these phrases used in full conversations.
How to agree when the same thing is true for you
So do I
A: I love travelling.
B: So do I.
So am I
A: I’m tired.
B: So am I.
So did I
A: I really enjoyed the conference.
B: So did I.
Neither do I
A: I don’t go out much during the week.
B: Neither do I.
Neither can I
A: I can’t speak French.
B: Neither can I.
So do I doesn’t mean exactly the same thing as I agree.
“I work from home.” – “So do I.” Here, you are saying that the same thing is true for you.
Agreeing and disagreeing at work
Four situations you will meet again and again, and the phrase that fits each one.
1 You agree with a colleague and want to add something
Show that you support the idea first, then add your point.
- I agree. I’d also add that we need to check the cost.
2 You agree with the main idea, but not one detail
Accept the general plan, then name the one part you’re not sure about.
- I agree with the general approach, but I’m not sure about the deadline.
3 You disagree in a meeting
Recognise the thinking behind the idea before you disagree with it.
- I see the logic, but I’m not sure it works here.
4 You disagree with a manager or client
Keep it soft and specific — say what concerns you rather than what is wrong.
- I can see the reason for that, but I’m slightly concerned about the timing.
Disagree with the idea, not the person
“You’re wrong.”
“I’m not sure that would work in this case.”
“That makes no sense.”
“I’m not sure I follow the reasoning there.”
Common mistakes when agreeing and disagreeing
“I am agree.”
“I am not agree.”
“I agree.”
“I don’t agree.”
Agree with, agree on, agree to
Agree with
Use agree with for a person or an opinion.
- I agree with Anna.
- I agree with what you said.
Agree on
Use agree on when people reach the same decision about something.
- We agreed on a new deadline.
Agree to
Use agree to for a proposal, request or action.
- They agreed to the change.
Be careful with “correct”
Correct works naturally when you are confirming a fact.
A: So the meeting starts at three?
B: Correct.
“I think this is the best option.”
“Correct.”
“I agree.”
“Exactly.” / “I think so too.”
Real examples of agreeing and disagreeing in English
Example 1: Agreeing and adding
Anna: I think we should send the client a shorter version.
Mark: I agree. I’d also add a short summary at the beginning.
Example 2: Partly agreeing
Manager: I’d like to launch this on Monday.
You: I agree with the general plan, but I’m not sure Monday gives us enough time to test it properly.
Example 3: Disagreeing carefully
Colleague: I think we should remove the pricing section completely.
You: I see your point, but I think the client still needs some indication of the cost.
Your turn
Read each situation and say your answer out loud before you look at the possible answer.
1. Your colleague suggests moving a meeting to Friday. You think Friday is better too. What could you say?
Possible answer“I agree. Friday would work better for me too.”
2. Your manager wants the report tomorrow. You agree that it is urgent, but tomorrow is unrealistic. What could you say?
Possible answer“I agree that it’s urgent, but I’m not sure I can complete the full report by tomorrow.”
3. A colleague thinks the client needs less information. You have a different view. What could you say?
Possible answer“I see your point, but I think the client needs a little more detail.”
Need these phrases when the meeting is actually happening?
Speak Up in Meetings gives you practical English for joining the discussion, giving your opinion, agreeing, disagreeing, asking questions and checking what has been decided.
Get Speak Up in Meetings for €17 →More English lessons for work
If this lesson was useful, these will help you sound clearer and more professional in meetings, emails and everyday work conversations.