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Lesson 159 of 240

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Mixed feelings in English

Ana is at work with Marcus. They are talking about the old library windows. She likes them. She also wants more light in the room.

You will learn how to say you like some parts and dislike others. You will weigh both sides. You will say which way you are starting to lean.

These lines help in a meeting. They do not mean a hard yes or a hard no.

By the end of this lesson

Say you have mixed feelings and weigh both sides.

  • I have mixed feelings about ___.I like some parts of this and dislike others.
  • I can see both sides.Both views make some sense to me.
  • I'm leaning toward ___.I am starting to prefer ___.
  • What makes you say that?Why do you think that?
  • That's a fair point.That is a reasonable idea.
  • Would you say it's worth it?Do you think the result is good enough for the cost?

Scene — the old windows

Marcus's studio downtown. Rolled drawings sit on the long desk. Ana and Marcus look at the library windows on a sheet.

The old glass is pretty. The room is a little dark. Marcus wants a short talk, not a long meeting.

Ana places an image from the library visit beside the drawings as she and Marcus study the window plan.

Learn — mixed feelings

Six lines help you weigh both sides. You can like some parts and still have a worry.

You will also ask why, and check if the result is worth the cost.

  1. Ana pauses over the window plan, considering the old glass and the possibility of a brighter room.

    I have mixed feelings about ___.

    I like some parts of this and dislike others.

    When to use it: Say this when you like some parts and dislike others.

    Put the thing you have feelings about in the blank.

    Say it: The -ed ending in mixed sounds like t.

  2. Marcus opens his hands toward two parts of the window plan, weighing the old glass against a brighter room.

    I can see both sides.

    Both views make some sense to me.

    When to use it: Say this when you understand the reasons for two different views.

    You can understand both views and still prefer one.

    Say it: For the th in both, put your tongue lightly between your teeth and let air out.

  3. Ana leans over the desk and points to a bay of old library windows that she values.

    I'm leaning toward ___.

    I am starting to prefer ___.

    When to use it: Say this when one choice is starting to seem better to you.

    After toward, use a thing or the -ing form of an action.

  4. Marcus turns toward Ana with a questioning gesture, inviting her to explain her view.

    What makes you say that?

    Why do you think that?

    When to use it: Ask this when you want to understand the reason for someone's view.

    That points back to the idea the other person just shared.

  5. Ana nods with both palms open on the paper as she acknowledges the reasons on each side.

    That's a fair point.

    That is a reasonable idea.

    When to use it: Say this when someone's reason makes sense, even if you prefer another plan.

    Here, point means an idea or reason in the talk.

  6. Marcus presents an option that could preserve the old windows while bringing more light into the room.

    Would you say it's worth it?

    Do you think the result is good enough for the cost?

    When to use it: Ask this when you want someone's view of the result compared with the cost.

    The cost can be money, time, or work.

    Say it: Link worth and it without a pause.

Story — both sides

Watch Ana and Marcus talk about the old library windows. Ana likes the glass, but she wants a brighter room.

Listen for her reasons and the choice she starts to prefer.

  1. Ana puts a photo from their library visit beside the drawings.
  2. MarcusHow did you feel about it?What was your feeling then?
  3. AnaI really like this. The old glass is pretty.She likes the old glass a lot.
  4. MarcusSo, new windows could let in more light.He thinks replacing the windows could make the room brighter.
  5. AnaI have mixed feelings about the windows.I like some parts of this and dislike others.
  6. MarcusWhat makes you say that?Why do you think that?
  7. AnaWell, I like the glass. I also want more light.She likes the old glass and still wants a brighter room.
  8. MarcusThat's a fair point.That is a reasonable idea.
  9. AnaI can see both sides. The old glass matters, but so does the light.She understands the reasons for keeping the glass and for making the room brighter.
  10. MarcusWe could keep the windows and add lights, but that would cost more.He offers a way to save the windows and get more light for extra money.
  11. AnaWould you say it's worth it?Do you think the result is good enough for the cost?
  12. MarcusMaybe. You know, the old glass gives the library some character.He thinks saving the glass might be worth paying more because it makes the library special.
  13. AnaI'm leaning toward keeping them.She is starting to prefer saving the old windows.
  14. MarcusLet's come back to this later. I'll check the cost of adding lights.He will find out the price before they discuss the choice again.

Practice — weigh both sides

Ten quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, fill a gap, and build a line.

Think about what each person needs to say before you choose.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. What does it mean?

    I can see both sides.

  3. What do you say?

    Marcus asks which choice you are starting to prefer for the library windows.

  4. Pick the reply

    Marcus says:

    We have to swap the old windows for new ones. It's the only choice.

    He says new windows are the only choice and gives no reason.

    And you reply with:

  5. Swap the word

    Marcus gives a reason for keeping the windows, and you think his reason makes sense.

    That's a fair ____.

  6. Build the line

    Do you think the result is good enough for the cost?

    ?

    Tap the words in order.

  7. True or false?

    This line asks how much something costs.

  8. Fill the gap

    We will talk about this again another time.

    Let's come back ____ this later.

  9. What do you say?

    Marcus silently shows you a photo of the old library glass, and you want to say you like it a lot.

  10. Match the pairs

    English

    I can see both sides.Drop the Simple English here
    What makes you say that?Drop the Simple English here
    That's a fair point.Drop the Simple English here
    Would you say it's worth it?Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

    Drag a Simple English line onto its English, or tap one and then the other.

Say it — say it back

Now you're Ana in the studio. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Fill each blank with your own words about the windows or your preferred choice.

  1. MarcusWe should replace the old windows.He thinks they should put in new windows.
  2. Ana (you)Ask for the reason behind his view.

    What makes you say that?

    Why do you think that?

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
I have mixed feelings about ___.I like some parts of this and dislike others.
I can see both sides.Both views make some sense to me.
I'm leaning toward ___.I am starting to prefer ___.
What makes you say that?Why do you think that?
That's a fair point.That is a reasonable idea.
Would you say it's worth it?Do you think the result is good enough for the cost?
Next: lesson 160I agree

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Keep these lines handy with the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.

Review the cards before a meeting to practice talking about both sides of a choice.

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