Everyone has opinions. There will be times when you don’t agree with someone else. That’s life.
Have you ever struggled with finding the right words to express how much you disagree with someone in English?
Or maybe you’ve had someone say “You must be joking!” to something you said and were left confused because, of course, you weren’t joking.
There are so many different and fun ways to disagree strongly in English. Build your vocabulary and prevent future confusion by learning some common English phrases to show strong disagreement.
Casual Phrases To Express Strong Disagreement
Whether you’re debating how good a movie was with your friends or telling your coworker how much you hate cauliflower, there are many short English phrases that people use to show that they strongly disagree with you. These are usually said loudly with a tone of surprise for emphasis.
Examples of Short Phrases
I can’t believe you’re really saying that.
I totally disagree.
You must be joking!
You can’t be serious!
There’s no way…
No way!
That makes no sense.
Absolutely not!
Sometimes, people show that they strongly disagree by asking a question like the phrases below.
Examples of Phrases In The Form of A Question
Are you out of your mind?
Seriously?
That’s a joke, right?
Again, this typically means they’re just surprised that your opinion is very different from their own. So, a literal answer to that question isn't needed. Just be ready to defend or explain your own opinion.
Quiz
You’re at a party with your friends. A Taylor Swift song comes on and you get excited. Your friend’s boyfriend says “Ew! Are you joking?” What responses would be appropriate? Select all that apply:
Formal and Polite Phrases To Express Strong Disagreement
The phrases above aren’t always appropriate to use in more formal settings. While your friends may not be bothered by it, asking your boss or coworker, “Are you serious right now?” would definitely be seen as rude and could get you in trouble.
Here are some formal phrases you can use to make it clear you strongly disagree, while still being polite and professional:
I don’t see it that way.
I respectfully disagree.
I beg to differ.
That's not always true.
That's not always the case.
I'm not so sure about that.
I have a completely different opinion on that.
When To Use Formal Phrases
Here are some examples of situations when it may be better to use the more formal phrases for disagreeing over the more casual ones:
Speaking with elders (e.g. grandparents)
Talking to strangers
Talking to your boss or other authority figures
During a work meeting
During a class discussion
In general, it's safer to use the more formal phrases in situations like these, when you're talking to people you may not know well and/or want to be more respectful with.
Quiz
Hannah is working on a project with her colleague, Mark. He claims they should be done by tomorrow, but she believes there’s at least 3 full days of work left to do. What is an appropriate response for Hannah in this situation? Select all that apply:
Take Action
It’s time to use what you learned to make it clear when you disagree with something. Make disagreements with friends more fun and avoid offending coworkers you disagree with.
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