50. Getting to Know Someone - 3. Responding Gambits

Conversation Gambits - Eric Keller, Sylvia T Warner 1988

50. Getting to Know Someone
3. Responding Gambits

One of the main ways we get to know someone better is when we find out what they believe — especially if the person agrees with us

Work in pairs Try to think up the advantages and disadvantages of the following ideas. Offer your opinions to your partner and see if you agree or disagree Take it in turns. Use the phrases in the list

For example:

The main advantage to being poor is that you don't have to worry about income tax.

— That's very true But I wonder if it’s as simple as that.

Situations

1. Being singie/married.

2. Living together.

3. Living in the city/country.

4. Growing a beard

5. Being poor/rich

6. Having children

7. Living near a pub

8. Living in the centre of a big town.

9. Having a car.

10. Living in a capital city

11. Travelling abroad a lot.

12. Abortion

13. Teaching children to drink alcohol

14. How to teach young people about AIDS

15. Buying insurance

Agreeing

That’s (very) true.

I agree with you there.

Yes, I know exactly what you mean.

Disagreeing

Yes, but don’t you think...

I agree with you, but...

Yes, but on the other hand...

1I don’t see it quite like that.

1. This can be quite strong, and a warning