French - Lesson 31 of 159: Agreement & Disagreement

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Peut-être, mais ___.

Maybe, but ___.

Meaning: Maybe, but ___.

When to use: Use to acknowledge an idea and add a reservation or alternative.

Peut-être, mais il faut vérifier le calendrier.

Maybe, but we need to check the schedule.

Peut-être, mais le prix est trop élevé.

Maybe, but the price is too high.

Je suis pas sûr de ça.

I'm not sure about that.

Meaning: I'm not sure about that.

When to use: Use to express doubt softly about a statement or idea.

Tip: Beginners often add the full 'ne' (Je ne suis pas sûr de ça). In spoken French, dropping 'ne' is common.

Je suis pas sûr de ça; avons-nous toutes les infos ?

I'm not sure about that; do we have all the info?

Je suis pas sûr de ça — ça me semble risqué.

I'm not sure about that — it seems risky to me.

Je vois les choses autrement.

I see it differently.

Meaning: I see it differently.

When to use: Say this when your opinion differs and you want to state another perspective.

Je vois les choses autrement: je privilégierais la qualité.

I see it differently: I'd prioritize quality.

Pour moi, je vois les choses autrement à cause du budget.

For me, I see it differently because of the budget.

Je suis en partie d'accord.

I partly agree.

Meaning: I partly agree.

When to use: Use to show partial agreement before adding limits or alternatives.

Je suis en partie d'accord, mais pas sur tous les détails.

I partly agree, but not on all the details.

Je suis en partie d'accord avec ton plan.

I partly agree with your plan.

Je suis d'accord sur ___, mais ___.

I agree about ___, but ___ .

Meaning: I agree about ___, but ___.

When to use: Use to agree with one specific point (after 'sur') and then add a reservation.

Tip: Remember to put the topic after 'sur' (sur le prix, sur le plan). Beginners sometimes forget this preposition.

Je suis d'accord sur le thème, mais pas sur le calendrier.

I agree about the theme, but not about the schedule.

Je suis d'accord sur l'idée, mais la mise en œuvre me préoccupe.

I agree about the idea, but the implementation worries me.

Ça me paraît juste.

That sounds right.

Meaning: That sounds right.

When to use: Use to accept that someone's point is reasonable or fair.

Si tu proposes de simplifier, ça me paraît juste.

If you suggest simplifying, that sounds right to me.

Ton explication me paraît juste.

Your explanation sounds right.

Oui et non.

Yes and no.

Meaning: Yes and no.

When to use: Use to show mixed feelings: you agree with part and disagree with part.

Oui et non — j'aime l'idée, mais pas le calendrier.

Yes and no — I like the idea, but not the timing.

Oui et non. Cela dépend des détails.

Yes and no. It depends on the details.

Je dois dire que je ne suis pas d'accord.

I have to disagree.

Meaning: I have to disagree.

When to use: Use when you need to state disagreement politely but clearly.

Je dois dire que je ne suis pas d'accord avec cette proposition.

I have to say that I don't agree with this proposal.

Sur ce point, je dois dire que je ne suis pas d'accord.

On that point, I have to disagree.

Désolé, mais je ne suis pas d'accord.

I'm afraid I disagree.

Meaning: I'm afraid I disagree.

When to use: Use to soften a disagreement; polite phrasing in conversations.

Tip: If the speaker is female, use 'Désolée' instead of 'Désolé'.

Désolé, mais je ne suis pas d'accord avec la conclusion.

I'm afraid I disagree with the conclusion.

Désolé, mais je ne suis pas d'accord; on devrait revoir les chiffres.

I'm afraid I disagree; we should review the figures.

C'est pas toujours vrai.

That's not always true.

Meaning: That's not always true.

When to use: Use to challenge a general statement that isn't always correct.

C'est pas toujours vrai; il y a des exceptions.

That's not always true; there are exceptions.

Tu dis que tout est simple, mais c'est pas toujours vrai.

You say everything is simple, but that's not always true.

J'ai un avis différent.

I have a different opinion.

Meaning: I have a different opinion.

When to use: Use to state clearly that your opinion is different.

J'ai un avis différent sur la façon de présenter le rapport.

I have a different opinion on how to present the report.

J'ai un avis différent: je choisirais une autre illustration.

I have a different opinion: I'd choose another illustration.

Je comprends, mais ___.

I understand, but ___ .

Meaning: I understand, but ___.

When to use: Use to show understanding before expressing a reservation or disagreement.

Je comprends, mais il faut penser au timing.

I understand, but we need to think about the timing.

Je comprends, mais je préfère une autre solution.

I understand, but I prefer a different solution.

French - Agreement & Disagreement

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase politely softens disagreement?

Which phrase means 'I see it differently'?

Which phrase shows mixed agreement and disagreement?

Which phrase is used to agree on one point but limit agreement?

What do you think of this plan? — I partly agree.

You say everything will be fine. — I'm not sure about that.

Anna: I understand, but... David: Why?

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice