3. Disagreeing

Here are a number of useful phrases used when disagreeing or expressing another opinion. Notice that a number of these expressions employ the first or second conditional.

• I wouldn't do that. I would...

• Butifwe...

• I'm afraid I have to disagree with you.

• Don'tgetmewrong, ...

• Evenso, if...

• Don'tforgetthat...

• Verytrue, but...

Examples:

I wouldn't do that. I'd speak to the teacher first and see what she says. But if we don't make those investments, we'll risk loosing market share. Don't get me wrong, I just think we should look at some other options before making a decision. Even so, if we change classes this late, we might not get a passing grade. Don't forget that we you still need to finish all your homework before you can do that. Very true, but we still need to get the garden in shape before building a new deck.

Task: Make up short dialogs using the constructions from points 1, 2, 3. Follow the lines:

suggestion – preference – disagreeing

offering – preference – disagreeing

asking opinion – preference – disagreeing

4. Giving Advice

There are a number of formulas used when Giving Advice in English. Here are some of the most common:

• I don't think you should work so hard.

• You ought to work less.

• You ought not to work so hard.

• If I were you, I'd work less.

• If I were in your position, I'd work less.

• If I were in your shoes, I'd work less.

• You had better work less.

• You shouldn't work so hard.

• Whatever you do, don't work so hard.

Construction

Formula	VerbForm
I don't think you should work so hard.	Use 'I don't think you should' the base form of the verb in a statement.
You ought to work less.	Use 'You ought to' the base form of the verb in a statement.
You ought not to work so hard.	Use 'You ought not to' the base form of the verb in a statement.
If I were you, If I were in your position, If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't work so hard.	Use 'If I were' 'you' OR 'in your position' OR 'your shoes' 'I wouldn't' OR 'I would' base form of the verb in a statement (A form of the conditional 2).
You had better work less.	Use 'You had better' (you'd better) the base form of the verb in a statement.
You shouldn't OR You should work less.	Use 'You should' OR 'You shouldn't' the base form of the verb in a statement.
Whatever you do, don't work so hard.	Use 'Whatever you do' the imperative.

Task: make up short dialogs using the above constructions. You may use the suggested tips: learning abroad; starting a new project; becoming an economist (a doctor, an engineer etc); learning several languages; working hard; taking up some sport etc.

5. Contrasting Ideas

There are a number of formulas used when contrasting ideas in English. Here are some of the most common:

• We'd love to stay for dinner, but we have got to get going.

• They decided to stay in the area, in spite of their problems with the local residents.

• Despite the difficulties of a long journey, Peter decided to visit India.

• Getting a good job is hard work, however, most people eventually find one with patience.

• There were a number of people who came, although the hotels were not equipped to handle them all.