8 phrases · B1 · B2 · C1

Disagreeing without a fight in English

Every phrase below is a fixed shape you can fill in and use immediately, ordered from the simplest to the most advanced. Each one carries what it means in English and in Hindi, three examples that vary the slot, and the situations it actually gets said in.

The phrases

Simplest first. The braces mark the part you change.

  • I don't think {CLAUSE}

    B1

    Disagree with an idea — softly, and in the way English actually does it.

    मुझे नहीं लगता कि ___।

    • I don't think that is the real reason.
    • I don't think we have enough time for both.
    • I don't think the price is the problem here.

    Anywhere · say it as: I don't think / that is the real reason · used at work, college

  • I see your point, but {CLAUSE}

    B1

    Disagree with somebody without making it personal.

    मैं आपकी बात समझता हूँ, पर ___।

    • I see your point, but the timing does not work for us.
    • I see your point, but we tried that last year.
    • I see your point, but the cost would double.

    Polite — strangers, seniors, customers · say it as: I see your point, / but the timing does not work · used at work, interviews

  • What concerns me is {CLAUSE}

    B2

    Raise a worry without attacking anybody or blocking the idea.

    मुझे जो चिंता है, वह यह है कि ___।

    • What concerns me is that we have not tested it with real users.
    • What concerns me is the number of people who would have to approve it.
    • What concerns me is how quickly this was decided.

    Formal — writing, presentations, officials · say it as: What concerns me / is that we have not tested it · used at work, interviews

  • I'm not entirely convinced that {CLAUSE}

    B2

    Disagree seriously, while leaving the door open.

    मुझे पूरी तरह यक़ीन नहीं कि ___।

    • I'm not entirely convinced that this is the cheapest option.
    • I'm not entirely convinced that the problem is the software.
    • I'm not entirely convinced that we need a new tool for this.

    Formal — writing, presentations, officials · say it as: I'm not entirely convinced / that this is the cheapest option · used at work, college

  • That said, {CLAUSE}

    B2

    Turn the sentence around after agreeing with something.

    फिर भी, ___।

    • That said, we should still check with the client.
    • That said, the results were better than last year.
    • That said, I would not do it again.

    Anywhere · say it as: That said, / we should still check with the client · used at work, interviews

  • I wouldn't necessarily say that {CLAUSE}

    B2

    Push back on something without calling it wrong.

    मैं यह ज़रूरी नहीं कहूँगा/कहूँगी कि ___।

    • I wouldn't necessarily say that it failed.
    • I wouldn't necessarily say that price is the only reason.
    • I wouldn't necessarily say that the old system was better.

    Polite — strangers, seniors, customers · say it as: I wouldn't necessarily say / that it failed · used at work, interviews

  • Be that as it may

    C1

    Accept the point completely — and set it aside anyway.

    चाहे जो भी हो, ___।

    • Be that as it may, the deadline has not moved.
    • Be that as it may, we still owe the client an answer today.
    • Be that as it may, the decision is not ours to make.

    Formal — writing, presentations, officials · say it as: Be that as it may, / the deadline has not moved · used at work, messages and email

  • It would be misleading to suggest that {CLAUSE}

    C1

    Challenge a claim formally, on the record, without calling anybody a liar.

    यह कहना भ्रामक होगा कि ___।

    • It would be misleading to suggest that the change had no cost.
    • It would be misleading to suggest that everybody agreed with the decision.
    • It would be misleading to suggest that the numbers tell the whole story.

    Formal — writing, presentations, officials · say it as: It would be misleading / to suggest that the change had no cost · used at work, college

What goes wrong

The versions that get said instead, and why they land differently.

Commonly saidCorrect English

I think it is not the real reason.

I don't think that is the real reason.

English puts the "not" on "think", not on the second half. Both are understandable; only one sounds native.

I am not agree with you.

I don't agree with you.

"Agree" is already a verb. It never takes "am" or "is" in front of it.

Where you will need these

The same phrases, sorted by the room you are standing in.

More phrase groups on the phrases index, or browse by situation on the speaking pages.

Reading it is not the same as saying it.

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