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20+ Clever Ways to Say “I Disagree” Politely and Respectfully

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Vocabulary Boosters

Both casual conversations and debates require hearing a lot of arguments and statements you fundamentally do not agree with. To become better at reacting to these statements, you need to learn how to properly voice your disagreement .

Knowing how to say I disagree in a polite manner gives you the room to take the lead position in the conversation and gain the respect of others. Here are 20 creative ways to say, ‘I disagree’.

The most important things you need to know when voicing disagreement

  Stating that you don’t agree might earn you more respect from your peers, but it’s all in the way you express it. In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to cross the line and say something you shouldn’t have.   Abide by these tips to help you express your opinion soundly. It will be easier to apply any of the templates we’ve provided below.  

8 phrases to say I disagree when talking to your boss (during a meeting)

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Concluding thoughts

When wanting to say I disagree, it’s important to consider the relationship you have with the person you’re disagreeing with, as well as the current situation. It’s important to understand the mood.

With these 24 clever ways to voice your disagreement, you will see your contributions to any social setting rise. Good luck and don’t forget to practice.

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verb as in be different

Strongest matches

clash , contradict , differ , dissent , diverge

Strong matches

conflict , counter , depart , deviate , discord , disharmonize , vary , war

Weak matches

be discordant , be dissimilar , run counter to

verb as in argue; hold differing opinion

bicker , clash , contend , differ , dissent , divide , feud , haggle , object , oppose , quarrel , quibble , spar , wrangle

altercate , battle , brawl , contest , controvert , debate , disaccord , discord , dispute , fight , palter , rip , row , scrap , skirmish , spat , sue , war , zap

break with , bring action , controversialize , discept , fall out , go for the jugular , have words , jump on , lay into , let have it , logomachize , set to , take issue , take on

verb as in be injurious

bother , distress , hurt , injure , nauseate , sicken , trouble , upset

be distasteful , be disturbing , be sickening , be unsuitable , discomfort , go against the grain , make ill

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Related words.

Words related to disagree are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word disagree . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

verb as in verbally fight

• cross swords
• get in one's face
• go one-on-one
• hammer away/hammer into
• have at each other
• knock about/knock around
• pick an argument
• put up a fight
• put up a struggle
• stick it to

verb as in disprove

Viewing 5 / 44 related words

Example Sentences

People disagree whether Facebook’s role should involve moderating this sort of content on its platform or to what extent any of this should be protected as “free speech.”

It seems that physical server location is important, but not the only thing to take into consideration…and shockingly, courts disagreed on the outcome.

We can have these knock-down drag-out creative fights when we disagree.

In fact, political scientists disagree about whether TV ads even have a significant effect on elections at all!

They might even disagree that a particular website or company is in their industry, but you have data on your side.

The vast majority of New Yorkers seem to disagree, wanting the Santas gone for good.

Many Muslims may disagree with my view, or interpret Islam in a more moderate way, but I cannot accept this religion myself.

You and I disagree about the solution to this problem, of course, but we agree that there is a problem.

But by and large, McCain and Kaine didn't so much disagree as lament different topics.

The Syrian-American residents of one Pennsylvania city disagree—strongly.

Of course not,” said Wilkins, “proverbial philosophy asserts and requires that doctors should disagree.

I—I begin to understand why he dislikes that miller and his money business, for he makes you disagree so.

Who is it that you are sure will agree with Miss Adelaide, if any one indeed could be found to disagree with her?

"You've bragged that you'll fight any man who dares disagree with you," Haggar said loudly.

Seeing her betters disagree, little Fly had taken her turn at pouting.

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On this page you'll find 160 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to disagree, such as: clash, contradict, differ, dissent, diverge, and conflict.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

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How to Write “Agree or Disagree” Essays for IELTS

Posted by David S. Wills | Jan 15, 2021 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 1

There are various types of essay that you may be asked to write in task 2 of the IELTS writing test, but one of the most common ones is the “agree or disagree” question. This will provide some kind of statement and then ask you whether (or to what extent) you agree or disagree.

In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about writing an agree or disagree essay .

What is an “Agree or Disagree” IELTS Question?

There are various kinds of questions in IELTS writing task 2, and one of them is called “agree or disagree” because that is precisely what you are asked to do. The question will normally contain those words although there are slight variations:

• Do you agree or disagree?
• To what extent do you agree or disagree?

This question will follow a statement and your task is to give your reaction to that statement. As long as you can understand the precise nature of the statement, this question is quite to understand.

Note that some people would call this an “opinion essay” but I would disagree with that label. Whilst it is certainly a type of opinion essay, there are other question types that require your opinion, so this is a problematic label. Here’s my guide to opinion essays.

How Should I Answer an “Agree or Disagree” Question?

The important thing about this sort of IELTS question is that you answer the question directly . In other words, you should state whether you agree , disagree , or neither agree nor disagree .

Some people wonder whether it is possible to give a balanced answer and others seem to think that you must always give a balanced answer, but the truth is simple:

You can agree, disagree, or neither agree nor disagree. Any of these is acceptable.

Just pay attention to the exact wording of the question. If it asks “to what extent…?” then you should clearly state the extent to which you agree/disagree:

• Completely agree
• Partially agree
• Neither agree nor disagree
• Partially disagree
• Completely disagree

If it just says “Do you agree or disagree?” then you don’t necessarily need to give the degree and you could just say “I agree” or “I disagree.” However, it is better to provide more explanation and detail.

If you want a more in-depth discussion of the issue of balanced answers, you can read this article .

Structuring “Agree or Disagree” Essays

Some kinds of IELTS essay are easy to structure. For example, “ Discuss both views ” and “ Advantages and disadvantages ” questions can easily be answered with a predictable four-paragraph structure. However, “agree or disagree” questions require a little more thought. Sometimes it can be a little difficult to find the right structure.

Generally, I recommend writing four or five paragraphs and preferably just four. As such, here are two possibilities for structuring your “agree or disagree” essay:

As you can tell, the second structure is more complicated and thus there is more scope for mistakes in terms of Task Response or Coherence and Cohesion . However, if you do this right it can provide a more interesting and developed answer.

In any case, the important thing to know is that your structure should be coherent and logical. Your reader should never feel confused. If you make a plan before writing, this will really help you to stay on topic and deliver your views effectively.

Let’s look at an example:

Some people argue that the government should give every unemployed person a mobile phone and should make sure they have access to the Internet. They believe this is the best way of using public money to reduce the problem of unemployment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

To answer this question, I would firstly decide the extent to which I agree or disagree. I disagree that it is the best use of public money, so I would structure my essay thusly:

Now let’s look at how I would write that essay:

Sample Band 9 Answer

It has been suggested that governments should give jobless people phones and internet access to alleviate the unemployment problem. This essay will argue that, whilst this may be a good idea, it is certainly not the best way of using public money to solve the problem.

To begin with, it could be seen as a positive step to give unemployed people phones and internet access. This would certainly help improve their lives in a small way and may give them the ability to hunt down job leads. However, it is not a guaranteed method of finding employment. For one thing, phones are severely limited in comparison with computers, which would be far more useful for jobseekers. A computer is more appropriate for writing CVs and scrolling through lists of adverts. As such, perhaps public funds would be better spent on computers rather than phones.

In addition, the idea of just giving unemployed people technology in order to solve their problems seems a little wishful. The fact is that most people have phones and internet access in 2021, suggesting that this is not what prevents them from finding work. Perhaps the money would be better spent on job fairs, counselling, benefits, or even investment in local businesses to spur the hiring process. Indeed, whilst none of these is a perfect solution, they all seem rather more realistic and preferential than buying thousands of phones and internet contracts.

In conclusion, while it may be a good idea to give all jobless people a phone and internet access, it is almost certainly not the best use of public funds in terms of tackling unemployment.

Language for Agreeing and Disagreeing

Once you have figured out the structure for your essay, you need to have the right language to accurately and effectively express your ideas. Most of the grammar and vocabulary you need will be dependent upon the topic , but there are some useful words and phrases to know for all “agree or disagree” essays.

Giving Purpose and Position

In your introduction, you need to clearly state your position vis-à-vis the question. You can also state what you will do in this essay.

Here are some great phrases:

This essay will…

To avoid being overly personal or informal, you can speak as though your essay is writing itself. This might seem a little strange, but it is perfectly normal. It is a great idea to use this for the overview section of your introduction to say “This essay will argue that…” or “This essay will agree with the idea that…”

Alternatively, you can include yourself:

In this essay, I will…

The use of the personal pronoun is a little informal but these questions are directly asking for your opinion and so there is nothing really wrong with it. This is a good way of stating your intentions clearly from the offset.

Just be careful to avoid redundant phrasing here, like “In my opinion, I think that…” It is not necessary to say both “In my opinion” and “I think” because they both express the same basic meaning.

It is also worth making sure that you completely understand how to use the words “agree” and “disagree.” This probably sounds very easy, but many people make mistakes. I have a full article on it here .

One of the biggest mistakes is saying, “I agree to the idea.” Instead, you need to say “I agree with the idea.” The preposition here is a huge difference and completely changes the meaning of “agree.”

Language for Structuring your Ideas

You can use some cohesive devices when explaining your ideas but be careful not to over-use them and make sure that each one is used accurately. For example, the phrases “On the one hand” and “On the other hand” are really useful here but many people make mistakes by saying “On one hand” or “One the other hand.”

You can also use words like “Firstly” and “Finally” to order your ideas but remember that having every sentence start with the same sort of word sounds repetitive, so don’t use these too much.

Some other useful phrases are:

The first reason why I think/believe that [summarise view] is…”

In this case, we are directly communicating to the reader that this is the first (and therefore most important) reason to support our opinion. To remove the personal pronoun, simply change to:

The first reason why [summarise view] is…

Here are two examples:

• The first reason why I think that families should take care of their elderly relatives is that it allows more freedom for the individual.
• The first reason why families should take care of their elderly relatives is that it allows more freedom for the individual.

Should You Totally Avoid Personal Pronouns?

For IELTS, some people say that you should always avoid personal pronouns but other people suggest that they are acceptable. It is true that they are acceptable because some questions directly ask for your opinion and experiences. However, it is also true that an advanced writer can answer these questions without personal pronouns, thereby increasing the level of formality .

Take a look at this question:

Rich countries often give money to poorer countries, but it does not solve poverty. Therefore, developed countries should give other types of help to the poor countries rather than financial aid. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is clearly asking for your personal opinion, so it would be fine to say “I think…” or “I believe…” However, we could definitely answer it in a more detached, formal sense.

To give my opinion, I will say:

this essay will argue that giving money is not simply enough and that more nuanced, long-term solutions are necessary

Later, in the conclusion, I will use similar language to affirm my view:

whilst it may seem reasonable to donate money to poor countries, it would be far better to help them through education

Here is the full essay:

The topic of international aid is incredibly controversial and there are no simple solutions. However, this essay will argue that giving money is not simply enough and that more nuanced, long-term solutions are necessary.

To begin with, it is important to acknowledge that poor countries need some form of aid and that money is better than nothing. Wealthy countries give vast sums of money, but there are numerous problems that emerge. Firstly, this money usually has strings attached, meaning that the poor countries often end up owing favours or debts, which exacerbates their problems. Secondly, poor countries are typically poor because of endemic corruption, and money donated is usually embezzled immediately after receipt. As such, giving money is understandable but problematic, and other forms of aid are thus preferable.

Nowadays, many people realise that it is better to provide poor countries with the means to help themselves. This can be done in various ways, including education. As such, perhaps the best way to help these nations is to provide them with teachers and educational facilities. This can allow them to raise a generation of intelligent, motivated people who will shape the future. It can clearly be seen that the education of women is of particular importance, as this lowers the fertility rate, further stopping other problems that contribute to poverty. Therefore, the education of young women should be made a top priority.

In conclusion, whilst it may seem reasonable to donate money to poor countries, it would be far better to help them through education.

Writing an essay for an IELTS “agree or disagree” question is probably a little more difficult than writing one for other question types. However, it is not much more difficult and if you follow the advice above, you can definitely create a wonderful essay that will get a high score. Just remember to answer the question directly and also to use appropriate language throughout.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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Synonyms of 'disagree' in British English

Phrasal verb:  , additional synonyms, synonyms of 'disagree' in american english, video: pronunciation of disagree.

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• disaffection
• disaffiliate
• disaffiliation
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• disagreeable
• disagreeableness
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10 English Phrases to Express Your Opinion in an Essay

This is a guest post by  Sam Pealing.  Make sure to visit his website EnglishForStudy.com for more academic English help!

I admire international students. Seriously.  If you’re a non-native English speaker doing a degree or doctorate in English, then I take my hat off to you.

I get a lot of questions about writing essays, and I’ve taught hundreds of students how to write effective essays (which get good grades).  One of the most common mistakes that I see is a lack of opinion.

Most of the time, students describe a situation, but they don’t give their opinion or stance. This can really damage your grade because lecturers are always looking for ‘critical thinking’. If you don’t give your opinion in your essays, your lecturers can’t see your critical thinking.

To put it simply: If you don’t put your opinion or stance in an essay, then you’ll probably lose marks.

In this article, you’ll learn 10 effective phrases that you can use to give your opinion in your essay.  I’ve also created a free lesson pack which will help you to practice the phrases in this article. CLICK HERE to download it.

Introducing the Phrases

If you’re looking for a quick fix for your essay, these phrases should help you to start putting your own opinions in your essays.

But, before you rush over to your essays to start putting these phrases in, there’s something you need to know.

If you’re writing an academic essay, you will need to support your opinions with strong evidence . This is especially true if you are using some of the stronger phrases.

This evidence can be a journal article, a lecture, a textbook, or something else which is a trustworthy source of information.

In a more informal essay, like one in an IELTS or TOEFL language test, you don’t need to support your answers with strong evidence. Your experiences or opinions will be enough.

Quick note : I know! You’re ready to see the phrases.

This won’t take long and it’s really important.

1. For these phrases to be really effective, you’ll need to review your grammar. Shayna has some great videos on her Espresso English Youtube channel .

I recommend these:

• Subject/Verb agreement
• Formal and Informal English
• Correcting Grammar Mistakes

2. If you want to know the structure of a good essay paragraph, check my post here .

Informal English Phrases

These phrases are suitable for language tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. In an academic essay, these phrases will probably be too informal because they are too personal.

“In my opinion, + [your sentence]”

• In my opinion , a good education is more important than a good car.

“I believe that + [your sentence]”

• I believe that schools should encourage students to walk or cycle to school rather than drive.

“In my mind, + [your sentence]”

• “ In my mind , no-one should have to pay for medical care.”

More Formal Academic Phrases With ‘That’

These phrases are more suitable for academic essays. If you are unsure whether you should use an informal phrase or an academic phrase, use an academic one. If you think your writing might be informal, read this post to learn more.

The patterns here are quite straightforward. Just add your sentence after ‘that’.

“It would seem that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you support your opinion with evidence.

• “ It would seem that children learn best when they are feeling comfortable.”

“It could be argued that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you want to challenge an existing opinion.

• “ It could be argued that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks in this situation.”

“This suggests that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you don’t want to fully commit to an opinion. You’re giving yourself some distance.

• “ The evidence suggests that people who speak more than one language have more job opportunities.”

“This proves that + [your sentence]”

Use this when you are confident with your opinion. This phrase is quite strong*

• “ This proves that the best way to lose weight is through a controlled diet and a good exercise program.”

“This supports the idea that + [your sentence]”

Use this one when you are supporting an opinion that you have already made.

• “ This new research supports the idea that successful English learners look for opportunities to use English.”

Other Ways to Express Opinion

“although [idea you disagree with], [idea you agree with]”.

Use this when you want make your opinion seem balanced.

• “ Although reports suggest that cigarettes could help people to lose weight, there are too many serious health problems associated with smoking.”

Note: The ‘ although’ pattern is very effective because it shows two sides of the argument. In the example, I support the idea that smoking is bad for your health –BUT- I recognise that it could have some benefits.

Structure your ‘ although’ sentence like this: Although, [weaker argument you disagree with], [stronger argument you agree with].

Using Adverbs, Adjectives and Nouns

You can use adjectives to show your opinion.

• “This research was poorly conducted with a lack of control .”

The adjective and nouns in the example are negative . You can get some good ideas from this video on Extreme Adjectives . Note: try not to use any emotional adjectives .

Make Your Own Phrases!

Of course, these phrases aren’t the only ones that you can use! You can find more – or – you can create your own by combining different patterns.

Here’s an example of #7, #9 and #10 used together.

“Although it is difficult for older adults to learn a second language, an important study by Smith (2014) proved that the elderly can successfully learn new languages.”

What Should You Do Now?

So now you should have a better idea of how to include more opinions in your essays. But that’s not all; there are probably some new words here that you don’t know.

So here’s what you should do:

• Choose three of the opinion expressions and phrases that you want to try.
• Practice writing sentences using them (if you don’t have a topic, try this: should students do homework? You can see examples of this in the lesson pack )
• Get the Lesson Pack for this lesson (which contains the vocabulary and the phrases from this lesson) CLICK HERE to download it .

Learn more:

• Basic English phrases
• Intermediate English phrases
• Advanced English phrases

About Sam Pealing

Sam Pealing is an English language coach who specialises in two important areas: 1. helping you to get great grades at university, and 2. helping you to become an effective and confident English user. If you’re feeling frustrated or confused with English, Sam has created the perfect email course for you! You can join his course here –or- you can read more by him on English For Study .

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Shayna Oliveira

Shayna Oliveira is the founder of Espresso English, where you can improve your English fast - even if you don’t have much time to study. Millions of students are learning English from her clear, friendly, and practical lessons! Shayna is a CELTA-certified teacher with 10+ years of experience helping English learners become more fluent in her English courses.

How to Disagree in English

Despite being in every dictionary and many English courses, the word “disagree” in “I disagree” is famously very rare in everyday English. This article reviews more common and useful ways of disagreeing, including both soft/ polite phrases and stronger/ more direct disagreeing language.

Disagreeing politely/ softly

Tactics for making disagreement less direct and less argumentative include:

• leading up to disagreement with something positive (“That’s a good point, but…”, “While I can see what you mean,…”, “I agree up to a point. However,…”, “I agreed with what you said right up to…”)
• leading up to disagreement with something humble (“I haven’t read much about this topic, but…”, “While you obviously know more about this than me,…”)
• showing that your disagreement is just another point of view (“For me,…”, “If we look at it from the perspective of…”
• regretting your disagreement (“While it pains me to disagree with you,…”, “I wish that were the case, but…”)
• expressing how agreement would be possible (“I would definitely feel the same way if…”, “I could agree with that if it were the case that…”)
• using softening/ hedging words like “slightly” and “not really” (“I have a slightly different point of view”, “That’s not really how I see it”)
• using questions instead of statements (“But wouldn’t you also say that…?”)
• comparing different arguments (“While that is a strong argument,…”, “I’d be more inclined to agree with…”)

You can also kind of warn the other person that a strong opinion is coming with phrases like “To be honest” and “Frankly speaking”.

There is another whole article on this site with more details on each way of disagreeing more politely .

Disagreeing strongly/ directly

Perhaps the most obvious way to disagree more strongly is to add stronger words like “totally”, as in:

• I don’t agree at all.
• I strongly disagree.
• I totally disagree.
• I really don’t think so.
• That’s totally wrong.
• That’s just/ simply/ clearly not true.

You can also change words to stronger words, as in “don’t” changing to “can’t” in “I can’t agree” and “I can’t accept that”.

Similar uses of strong words but without related short phrases include:

• That makes no sense (to me).
• I have the opposite opinion.
• There is no way (on earth) that…
• Quite the opposite! …
• That is far from true.
• I’ve never heard such rubbish/ nonsense!

There are also shorter and even stronger ones like:

• Ridiculous!
• Absolutely not.

Although questions are suggested above as a way of softening disagreement, there are also strong disagreement questions like:

• You don’t really think that, do you?
• Are you honestly/ seriously saying…?
• Are you out of your mind?
• Are you pulling my leg?
• Does anyone (seriously) think that nowadays?
• Are you having a laugh?
• Are you having me on?
• Are you on something?
• Do you genuinely believe that?
• That’s a joke, right?
• In what way does… make sense?
• What are you talking about?

Some of those treat the other person’s opinion as if it is humour, as also seen in:

• You must be joking.
• You cannot be serious.
• You’ve got to be kidding.

Similarly, we can express shock in strong disagreement phrases like:

• I’m surprised that you would say that.
• I’m sure you’re (just) saying that to shock me.
• I can’t believe you are really saying that.
• You can’t say that!
• It doesn’t seem possible that you could really think that…

Some phrases suggest that a different reality is needed for their opinion to be true, as in:

• In your dreams!

These sometimes have an ironic tone of voice that can be seen in more obviously sarcastic strong phrases like:

• Yeah, right!
• Oh, absolutely!

More logical/ rational strong disagreeing phrases include:

• I can’t see any (possible) reason why…
• It has been proven that…
• That can’t possibly be the case.
• I completely fail to see the logic in…
• That is a fallacy.
• That is an old wives’ tale.
• That’s a dangerous argument that could lead to…
• That’s a facetious argument.
• The first of many problems with that argument is…
• You’ve got (totally) the wrong end of the stick.
• Your argument is full of holes. For example,…
• The inherent contradiction in that argument is…
• You’ve fallen into the logical trap of…

Interrupting phrases can also sometimes be used for strong disagreement, as in:

• (You may as well) stop right there.
• I’ve heard enough.
• How to disagree politely

You may also like:

• Listen&Learn: The Divine Comedy
• How to Apologise in English
• Rituals Put You in the English Mood

One comment

This is such a useful list of expression! It is also important to know what people mean if they say one of these statements.Thank you a million!

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5 Advanced Synonyms for Agree/Disagree Essays

Here are five advanced synonyms you can use in your Agree/Disagree Essays for IELTS

1.Instead of repetitively writing “ In my opinion ” use “ I would argue that ”.

• I would argue that languages should be taught in schools.
• I would argue that other subjects should be prioritised over language classes.

2. Instead of writing “ I think ” or “ many people think ” we can use the word “ believe ”.

• Many people believe that subjects like science should be prioritised in schools. 

In fact, we can improve upon this by using “ strongly believe ”

• Many people strongly believe that subjects like science should be prioritised in schools.

3. Instead of saying “ because ” we can use “ on the grounds that ”.

• I would argue that language should be taught in schools on the grounds that they will be very useful for students if they decide to study or work abroad.

4. Instead of saying “ important ”, you can say “ of paramount importance ”. 

• To study abroad, it is of paramount importance to be able to speak foreign languages.
• It is of paramount importance that schools prepare students for life after leaving school. 

5. Instead of saying “ I agree” or “I disagree” . We can make this better by adding an adverb like “ strongly”, “fully” or “partially” .

• I strongly agree that languages should be taught in schools.
• I fully agree that languages should be taught in schools.
• I partially agree that languages should be taught in school. – which means you partly agree and partly disagree.

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How to agree and disagree in IELTS – Vocabulary Development

By ielts-jonathan.com on 19 June 2022 0

What is Vocabulary Development

Vocabulary is not just the vocabulary you know, but also how you are able to use it.

I’ve carefully examined the marking descriptors for IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2 and IELTS Speaking and LEXICAL RESOURCE is an important feature of both parts. 

A specific criteria for a higher band is ‘ skillfully uses uncommon lexical items ‘ and another is ‘ sufficient range of vocabulary to allow flexibility and precision ‘.

What does this mean

Scoring a higher band score.

You could try to impress the examiner and increase your Band  Score in IELTS Writing by paraphrasing and a good use of synonyms.

In IELTS Speaking you can do something similar, and in addition, you can rephrase your own remarks. 

Don’t just to repeat every question the examiner gives as experience tells me this just irritates the examiner.

High Level Language

I’ve provided some examples below.

Consider how they second example is a paraphrase , uses synonyms effectively , or rephrases the first example .

Look at these examples below which are related to the topic of money. 

I don’t think it’s worth it:

It’s too much effort for little results.

It’s definitely worth it:

The results will be good if we put in the effort.

It will cost us a fortune:

It will be really expensive.

It will be cheap as chips to build:

It won’t cost much money to put together.

The building was valued at £3 million:

The building was estimated to be worth £3 million.

These examples can relate directly to the examiner’s prompt.

Notice the purpose of the expression and the function.

Agreeing with an opinion

You can these words and phrases to agree with the IELTS examiner’s point of view:

For example:

The examiner may ask;

• You’re absolutely right.
• I couldn’t agree more
• Yes, I agree.
• I’d go along with that.
• I agree with you entirely.
• That’s just what I was thinking.
• I think so too.
• That’s a good point.
• That’s true.
• Neither do I. (It’s not always an easy thing to do)

Partially agreeing with an opinion

You can use these words and phrases to partially agree with the IELTS examiner’s viewpoint:

• I see your point but…
• I see what you are getting at but…
• I go along with that view to a point, but…
• That’s one way of looking at it, however…

Disagreeing with an opinion

You can use these words and phrases to disagree with IELTS examiner’s viewpoint.

• (I’m afraid) I don’t agree with you.
• I see things rather differently
• You could be right, but…
• I’m not so sure about that.
• I agree up to a point, but…
• I’m not sure that /I‘d go along with that view…
• That’s not entirely true.
• On the contrary, …
• That’s an interesting idea, but…
• I don’t really agree with that idea..
• Actually, as a matter of fact, I think..
• I’m sorry to disagree with you, but…
• That’s not how I see it.
• That’s not the same thing at all.
• I feel I have to disagree.
• I completely disagree.

You might think that it’s not a good idea to disagree with examiner, that it might affect your Band Score.

I couldn’t disagree more! 

I hope that you found this information useful and you have taken on board some of the tips.

Please share to someone you know and in the meantime take a look at my

Facebook Page  and  Website for IELTS answers  and you can also join my Facebook Group  here too.

I also recommend taking a look at my free blog below, or sign up to my Newsletter which gives further instruction on how to give that perfect Task Response:

I’m Jonathan

I’ve taught IELTS and University English in more than a dozen universities and schools around the world.

I’m a parent, traveller and passionate about language teaching and helping students achieve their dreams.

Whilst living in Austria or working in Asia, I run IELTS courses to help students get to where they want to be.

If you are serious about IELTS, connect with me to see how I can help you.

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Agree or disagree essay for IELTS writing task 2

Home  »  IELTS academic task 2 » Agree or disagree essay for IELTS writing task 2

What is an “agree or disagree” essay?

• An “agree or disagree” essay offers a statement and invites you either to agree or disagree with it.
• For this type of task 2 essay, you are expected (1) to state your opinion clearly (2) to address all parts of the statement with which you are agreeing or disagreeing (3) fully to support your opinion with reference to further knowledge or experience

Sample “agree or disagree” questions

Here are some examples of agree or disagree essay questions.

1. “Modern life is increasingly chaotic.” Do you agree or disagree?

2. “The death penalty is barbaric and should not be legal anywhere.” Do you agree or disagree?

3. “Libraries are irrelevant in the age of the internet and should not be publicly funded.” Do you agree or disagree?

As an illustration, I’m going to discuss the third of these examples.

I’m going to argue that libraries are not irrelevant in the age of the internet, partly because (as a scholar and teacher of English) that’s what I believe.

It is possible to argue a case opposite to your own real opinion, but you are more likely to argue convincingly if you argue for a case in which you yourself believe.

Always read the question carefully!

• Remember our cardinal rule: always read the question carefully. This is a vital point and expanded on in the online IELTS course .

“Libraries are irrelevant in the age of the internet and should not be publicly funded.” Do you agree or disagree?

Here, it’s essential to note that the view with which you’re being asked to agree or disagree actually consists of two views:

“Libraries are irrelevant in the age of the internet”;

“Libraries should not be publicly funded.”

The two questions are linked, but not identical.

Stating your opinion clearly and decisively

Let’s consider an unclear statement of opinion.

“I suppose libraries are in some ways irrelevant, you can find most things you need on the internet, but after all it is good to have a place to go and study, and many libraries also offer other facilities like cafes etc.”

What is the problem with this way of stating an opinion?

First, the statement of opinion is indecisive, because it is prefaced with “I suppose”.

It is usually a bad idea to preface your statement of opinion with “I suppose”, or “it is my opinion that”, or even “I think that”.

The reader already knows that it is your opinion, because you are stating it!

Every time you are tempted to write “I think that” or “It’s my opinion that”, try simply deleting those words.

The sentence will usually be greatly improved without them.

The other problem with this way of opening your argument is that it is unclear which side you are on.

After the reader has finished reading the opening sentence, it is not fully clear whether the writer agrees or disagrees with the statement offered.

This is not to say that there is no room for subtlety or qualifications to an argument in your essay.

But the main line of your argument needs to be clear because you don’t have much space. Let’s try to find a better opening for the essay.

“Libraries are very far from irrelevant. The experience of reading a printed book is very different from that of reading a text on a screen, and much more is lost than is sometimes supposed when reading electronically.”

This is clear and decisive statement of opinion. A single line of argument is given, followed by a single main supporting reason for it.

Addressing all parts of the question

Let’s move on to the second main criterion, addressing all parts of the question.

Remember that you’re being asked not only whether libraries are irrelevant, but also whether they should receive public funding (vocabulary like this is great for your essay) .

Obviously, these two questions are linked: if libraries were irrelevant, there really would be no point in funding them.

Yet it does not follow that, if relevant, they must be funded. It’s good to demonstrate your awareness that the question has more than one aspect to it.

Here is an example of how you might do this.

“We have seen that libraries are very far from irrelevant. Clearly, this fact does not, by itself, show that they deserve public funding. Nevertheless, a good case can, in fact, be made for public financial support for libraries.”

With this transition between the first and second aspects of the question, you have done a number of things.

You have shown that you have read the question attentively, and have understood that it consists of two distinct parts.

You have also shown that you understand the need to provide support for your opinion on each part of the statement asked about.

Supporting your argument

Finally, let’s move on to the third criterion, the need fully to support your opinion.

Evidently, you are not expected to be an expert on any topic about which you might be asked to give your opinion.

You are not expected, for example, to have precise facts and figures about library use at your fingertips!

But you are being asked to show that you understand the general principle of the need to support opinions with reasons , with evidence of some kind.

Let’s consider what might count as supporting the argument that libraries are not irrelevant in the internet age. You would need to be able to show what it is that libraries provide that a computer screen can’t.

Here, “supporting” your argument might simply mean describing some of the valuable features of reading a book which can’t be reproduced by a computer.

Let’s consider an example of how this might be done.

“Not all the merits of books are replicable on a computer screen. Not only are books one of the simplest technologies ever invented, and therefore extremely easy to use, but they are also physical sites of memory. Many readers remember what they have read in a book by remembering the look, feel and even smell of a book as they have read it.”    

Watch this tutorial on how to give examples, then click here to subscribe to the Youtube Channel.  

This series of supporting arguments has a number of virtues. It points to a number of different specific ways in which books do things which can’t be done by computers; each of these features of books constitutes an implicit reason for valuing libraries.

It draws on the experiences of readers to support a more abstract general point about libraries.

In this tutorial, we have considered some of the main criteria for success in an “agree or disagree” essay.

We have understood the importance of:

• addressing all aspects of the question;
• stating one’s opinion clearly and decisively
• offering full support for all aspects of one’s opinion.

More resources

Take a look at some more IELTS task 2 essay questions to help you practice for your IELTS exam .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to write agree disagree essay in ielts.

Rephrase the question in the introduction, say whether you agree or disagree and will explain why in the following paragraphs. Then you need 2 body paragraphs with a main reason for your view and supporting arguments in each, and a conclusion which summarizes these main reasons.

Is an opinion essay the same as an Agree Disagree essay?

Yes, generally it is although the question might be phrased differently. You need to say clearly whether you agree or disagree with the statement and give at least two reasons why (that’s the opinion part).

Audio tutorial

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

MP3 Direct Download | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Soundcloud |Subscribe: Android | RSS

Tutorials and Tips to Prepare for Task 2

• How to Get Ideas for Task 2
• Extremely Useful Sentences for Task 2
• Five Powerful Sentence Structures to use in your IELTS Writing test
• How to use comparisons in Task 2
• Concession Paragraphs for “do I agree/disagree essays”
• How to write an IELTS Essay Conclusion
• IELTS Cohesion and Coherence
• 3 ways to paraphrase for your Task 2 introduction
• Marking Criteria for IELTS Writing
• Topics Sentences for Your Essays
• 7 Ways to Improve your Sentences in Your IELTS Essays
• Grammar for IELTS Writing
• Academic Collocations for Task 2

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Synonyms of disagrees (with)

• as in contradicts
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Thesaurus Definition of disagrees (with)

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contradicts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agrees (with)
• concurs (with)
• testifies (to)
• corroborates
• substantiates
• vouches (for)
• authenticates

Thesaurus Entries Near disagrees (with)

disagrees (with)

disagree (with)

Cite this Entry

“Disagrees (with).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disagrees%20%28with%29. Accessed 6 Apr. 2024.

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11 Other Ways To Say “I Think” And “I Believe” In An Essay

It can be tempting to say “I think” or “I believe” in an essay, especially when writing a personal narrative or opinion-based essay. The issue with this phrase is they tend to read as informal and weak. This article will explore some stronger alternatives that are worth considering.

What Can I Say Instead Of “I Think” And “I Believe”?

There are many different ways to express that what you’re saying is an opinion or a conclusion you have drawn using stronger wording than “I think” and “I believe.” Here are some options:

• In my opinion
• It could be argued
• Many believe
• This suggests
• It can be concluded
• It makes sense
• This proves
• This supports the idea
• X makes a strong case

The preferred option is “in my opinion.” “In my opinion” is clear and direct, and sounds more formal than “I believe” and “I think.” It’s a good way to make it clear that what you’re saying is your personal opinion while still sounding credible.

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In My Opinion

“In my opinion” is a good choice when you’re writing a first-person essay. “Opinion” implies more fact-based consideration than “believe” and more depth than “think.” “Opinion” also comes off as more confident than both “think” and “believe.”

“In my opinion” sounds formal enough to be appropriate in an essay, but can still maintain the conversational tone that is typically expected in first-person essays.

Here’s what “in my opinion” looks like in context:

• In my opinion, every public school student should be offered a free lunch option.
• Reading through this book was challenging not for the content but for the dull writing style. In my opinion, it shouldn’t be upheld as a classic.
• In my opinion, neither argument was particularly convincing.

It Could Be Argued

This sort of hypothetical phrasing isn’t always considered strong, but “it could be argued” is still a solid choice for third-person essays that require you to explore various arguments.

“It could be argued” is useful when you need to analyze multiple arguments or look at something from multiple angles. It allows you to point out some arguments or thoughts people might have in general to develop your argument.

Here are some ways you can use “it could be argued”:

• It could be argued that teaching Shakespeare in school only serves to confuse students due to the extremely antiquated language.
• It could be argued that the color blue represents sadness, but there are many examples in the text that point to blue instead representing loneliness.
• The bird could be a representation of her fear. Conversely, it could be argued that the bird is there simply because the lead character loves birds.

Many Believe

“Many believe” is useful when you want to discuss widely held beliefs and the fact that these beliefs are widely held is common knowledge. You can also use “many believe” when you have a statistic to back up the claim.

“Many believe” is better than “I think” and “I believe” in those sorts of situations because it creates a less personal statement. That helps it feel more formal and makes the argument feel more expansive.

Here’s how you can use “many believe”:

• Many believe that eating any kind of fat is unhealthy, but nutritionists disagree.
• According to the poll, many believe that doing yoga and drinking enough water will cure certain mental illnesses.

This Suggests

“This suggests” is a great choice for drawing a conclusion based on the evidence you’ve presented. It’s stronger than “I think” and “I believe” because it explicitly ties your ideas to other ideas.

You’ll typically use “this suggests” after presenting some evidence or an argument. “This suggests” introduces your analysis and often your argument.

For example:

• The flowers in the vase didn’t die until after Ashley fought with her mother. This suggests that the state of the perpetually near-death flowers was serving as a metaphor for the state of Ashley’s relationship with her mother.
• Jodi’s favorite color was green. This suggests some part of her was tied to everything green represented in the novel, even if she denied it.

It Can Be Concluded

“It can be concluded” is a good replacement for “I think” and “I believe” in third-person writing. It emphasizes the conclusions you’re drawing based on previously detailed evidence.

Like “this suggests,” “it can be concluded” comes after you present some evidence or ideas. It directly connects your thinking to the evidence, which supports a strong argument.

 Here are some examples:

• As such, it can be concluded that the core message of the story is the real reward was the friendships we made on the journey.
• It can be concluded that he never knew what happened to his father and was simply making up different versions of the story as the subject was too difficult for him to discuss directly.

It Makes Sense

“It makes sense” is a phrase can use to introduce a thought or insight you have. It’s subtly persuasive and can fit into both formal and informal essay styles.

“It makes sense” is deceptively strong wording. While it may seem soft at first, it can be used to make some really strong statements.

Here’s how that could look in practice:

• It makes sense that the school wouldn’t provide free lunches for students. It’s a costly plan, and the school district has a long track record of investing in administration before investing in student welfare.
• It makes sense that the play’s love story ended tragically. The playwright was newly divorced when she penned it, and her poetry from this time shows a similar disillusionment with romantic relationships.

This Proves

“This proves” is a strong way to connect your conclusions and arguments to previously presented evidence. This phrase is a good choice when you’re confident in your evidence and your argument, as using it after shaky evidence can harm your credibility.

Here’s what this might look like in context:

• The students who got more recess time did better on tests than children who had more quiet study time. This proves that children need more playtime throughout the day.
• This proves my original hypothesis, though not in the way I expected.

This Supports The Idea

This is another useful phrase for directly tying previously stated evidence to your arguments and conclusions. Once you provide your evidence, you can go into your argument by saying “this supports the idea that…”

“This supports the idea” is a deeply academic phrase. It doesn’t come off too strong, nor does it read as personal or informal. It reads as objective, which can support your credibility in the eyes of the reader.

Here are some examples:

• Lisa ultimately gave the flower to Joan. This supports the idea that the flower was representative of trust.
• In this scene, the characters’ loyalties are made clear by where they are standing in relation to the protagonist. John is standing next to the protagonist. This supports the idea that, despite what he says, he truly was loyal to the protagonist.

X Makes A Strong Case

“X makes a strong case” is a phrase when you want to specifically tie in an argument someone else has made. It emphasizes the person who made the argument rather than what you think about the argument.

For example, if you wanted to say “I think Rodney is right about the dress code,” a stronger way to word that in an essay would be “Rodney makes a strong case about the dress code.”

Both sentences communicate that you think Rodney’s argument has merit, but using the “X makes a strong case” format emphasizes Rodney’s arguments rather than your evaluation of them.

This less-personal writing is generally considered to be more formal and thus more appropriate for academic writing.

Here are some more examples of how to use this phrase:

• The author makes a strong case in favor of the motion.
• In the novel, Susie’s father makes a strong case against the idea of Susie marrying a stranger.

“In my mind” is a strong phrase that is perfect for first-person narrative essays. It’s engaging, conversational wording that still maintains the formality expected in essays.

“In my mind” is a good way to word more personally held thoughts and beliefs without saying “I think” or “I believe.”

Here are some ways you could use “in my mind”:

• In my mind, nothing mattered more than the championship.
• In my mind, there was no way any of this could have a good outcome. I just didn’t see how it would work out.

Sometimes the best alternative to “I believe” and “I think” is simply to cut the phrase without providing a replacement. This makes your writing more succinct and straightforward and less informal.

Replacing “I think” and “I believe” can support the style and flow of your writing, but deleting the lead-in entirely is common advice. The argument is that since you wrote the essay, “I think” and “I believe” are implied. It’s redundant to include them.

Take a look at these sentences:

• I think the power outage was caused by the wind storm.
• I believe students should have mentors throughout their time in school.

Here’s what they look like if you remove the lead-in:

• The power outage was caused by the wind storm.
• Students should have mentors throughout their time in school.

In these instances, removing the phrases entirely without replacing them made for stronger statements.

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

• 10 Better Ways To Write “In This Essay, I Will…”
• 9 Other Ways To Say “In My Opinion” (Formal & Friendly)
• 10 Other Ways to Say “I Am” in an Essay
• Can An Opinion Be Wrong Or Right? Full Explanation

Guide: How to Say “I Agree” in an Essay

Writing an essay often requires expressing your agreement or support for certain ideas or arguments. While saying “I agree” may sound simple, there are various ways to convey agreement in both formal and informal contexts. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore numerous tips and examples to help you effectively express agreement in your essays. We will cover formal and informal expressions and provide guidance on usage. So let’s delve into the many ways you can express agreement in your writing!

Formal Ways to Say “I Agree”

When writing academically or in formal settings, it’s essential to utilize language that demonstrates your level of proficiency and respects the specific tone of the discourse. Here are some phrases and expressions that are suitable for formal essays when expressing agreement:

1. Using similar expressions

Employing language that mirrors the original argument can be an effective way to demonstrate agreement. For example:

The author astutely argues that…

By using terms like “astutely argues,” you validate the author’s point while showing your support. Such expressions indicate your agreement while maintaining a formal tone in your essay.

2. Providing evidence or examples

Supporting your agreement with concrete evidence or examples can strengthen your argument. Consider the following construction:

The data from Smith’s research supports the notion that…

By referring to specific research or evidence, you not only express your agreement but also demonstrate the validity of the argument you support.

3. Acknowledging counterarguments

Acknowledging counterarguments before expressing agreement can showcase your thoughtfulness. It indicates that you have thoroughly considered different perspectives. Here’s an example:

Although some may argue _______, I agree with the assertion that _______.

By addressing opposing viewpoints, you demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the topic while stating your agreement in a formal manner.

Informal Ways to Say “I Agree”

In less formal essays or contexts, you may have more flexibility in expression. However, it is still important to maintain a respectful tone. Let’s explore some informal ways to convey agreement:

1. Using colloquial terms

Informal essays provide an opportunity to use language that is more conversational. Using colloquial terms can help you express agreement in a relatable manner. Consider the following example:

I totally agree with the author’s stance on _______.

Such phrases, like “totally agree,” can be used to express strong agreement in a more casual setting.

2. Sharing personal experiences

In informal writing, incorporating personal anecdotes or experiences can help emphasize your agreement. Here’s an example:

The author’s argument rings true based on my own experience of _______.

By sharing your personal experiences, you establish a connection between the author’s viewpoint and your own, reinforcing your agreement in a more informal manner.

3. Expressing enthusiastic agreement

Informal essays often allow for more expressive language. Consider the following example:

I’m in complete agreement with the author; their argument is undeniably compelling!

Expressions like “completely agree” and “undeniably compelling” underscore your strong agreement while maintaining an informal tone.

Tips for Expressing Agreement

Regardless of the formality, here are some essential tips for effectively expressing agreement in your essays:

1. Use transition words or phrases

Transition words and phrases can help smoothly introduce your agreement. Consider using terms such as “furthermore,” “additionally,” “likewise,” or “similarly” to connect your agreement to the previous argument.

2. Vary your vocabulary

To make your writing more engaging, avoid using the same phrases repeatedly. Explore different synonyms to express agreement and maintain the reader’s interest.

3. Consider the context and audience

Adapt your language to suit the specific context and intended audience of your essay. Ensure your choice of words aligns with the formality level required.

4. Provide reasons or evidence

Bolster your agreement by providing logical reasons or supporting evidence. This strengthens your argument and demonstrates a thoughtful analysis of the topic.

5. Use a respectful tone

Regardless of formality, maintain a respectful tone when expressing agreement. Remember to consider opposing viewpoints and address them respectfully to strengthen your argument.

To help illustrate these strategies, here are a few examples that demonstrate different ways to express agreement within an essay context:

The author makes a valid point, and I concur with this opinion.

I concur with the author’s assertion that renewable energy is crucial for a sustainable future.

The evidence presented effectively supports the author’s viewpoint, with which I wholeheartedly agree.

I share the author’s sentiments that stricter gun control measures are necessary for public safety.

Expressing agreement in your essays presents an opportunity to strengthen your arguments and connect with your readers. By incorporating the formal and informal ways explored in this guide, you will be able to express agreement effectively while maintaining the appropriate tone. Remember to consider the context, provide evidence, and adapt your language to fit the desired level of formality. So go ahead and confidently express your support for the ideas and arguments you agree with in your essays!

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Agreeing with someone in a formal setting requires tact, respect, and the ability to choose the right words. Whether you are having a professional conversation, attending a business meeting, or participating in formal discussions, expressing agreement in an appropriate manner is essential. In this guide, we will explore various ways to say "agree" in a formal way, including both formal and informal alternatives. We will also touch upon regional variations when necessary, providing you with valuable tips and examples that you can utilize in different situations.

How to Say "Agree" in a Nice Way: Guide to Formal and Informal Approaches

When it comes to expressing agreement, it's important to choose your words wisely to ensure that you come across as polite, respectful, and considerate. Whether you are engaged in formal discussions, conversing with colleagues or friends, or simply want to add a touch of warmth to your everyday conversations, this guide will provide you with a variety of ways to say "agree" in a nice way. We'll explore both formal and informal approaches, offering tips, examples, and suggestions along the way.

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• Academic practice
• General practice
• Task 1 Academic
• Task 1 General
• Task 2 (essay)

IELTS agree or disagree essay - band 9 guide

This is a band 9 guide to writing agree/disagree essays in IELTS Writing. Agree or disagree essay questions are very common for IELTS Writing task 2 . This type of questions asks you to say whether you agree or disagree with a given statement and justify your opinion .

In this lesson you will see IELTS writing task 2 sample question + model answer and learn

• how to choose an opinion for agree/disagree question
• how to generate ideas
• how to give a band 9 answer for agree/disagree question

IELTS agree/disagree question sample

Let’s look at an example of IELTS writing task 2:

Big salary is much more important than job satisfaction.

Do you agree or disagree?

Provide relevant examples if necessary.

This is a classic example of agree or disagree question that you may get on IELTS Writing task 2.

You can watch our video tutorial on how to tackle agree/disagree questions in IELTS Writing:

Choose your opinion & generate ideas

Agree or disagree question asks you to clearly determine whether you agree or disagree with the statement. Unlike questions that ask you to what extent do you agree or disagree , this question asks you to have a super-clear opinion. After you’ve decided your opinion, generate 2-3 supporting points for it .

For the task above you have two possible options:

• You fully agree that big salary is more important than job satisfaction
• You completely disagree that big salary is more important than job satisfaction

 Now let’s generate supporting points for each of the opinions:

• Big salary is more important
• Having a job with a high salary makes people feel satisfied no matter what kind of job they do
• Money is essential for survival and good living
• Job satisfaction is more important
• Job satisfaction gives you a sense of fulfillment
• Doing what you like keeps you motivated and therefore leads to a career growth
• Money can’t buy happiness and it’s more pleasant to pursue what you’re interested in

For our essay, we’ll choose the second opinion.

Band 9 answer structure

After you’ve decided whether you agree or disagree and generated your supporting points, it’s time to start writing your essay.

There are a lot of ways to structure your essay, but we’ll use a structure that has been approved by many IELTS examiners to be high-scoring and coherent.

Band-9 essay structure :

Introduction

Body paragraph 1 - the 1st reason you agree/disagree

Body paragraph 2 - the 2nd reason you agree/disagree

Let’s take a look at each of these sections in detail.

Write your introduction in two sentences:

It is often argued that it is more advantageous to choose a job with high wage, even if it doesn't appeal to you at all.

I completely disagree with this opinion and think that job satisfaction is much more important than salary.

• Sentence 1 - state the first reason you agree/disagree .

First of all, I believe that job satisfaction gives people a sense of fulfillment that no money can guarantee.

To explain the reason effectively, you can imagine that your examiner has no knowledge of this subject at all and you have to explain every detail:

Even if someone is earning a high salary, but feels tensed and compromises with his conscience, this person won’t enjoy his life. While pursuing one’s interests will always bring pleasure and feeling of satisfaction.

For example, a lot of famous researchers made their career choices not because of appealing wages, but because they were passionate about science.

That’s why it’s more important to choose the kind of work that makes you happy than to look only at a high salary.

Secondly, doing what you like keeps you motivated and therefore leads to a career growth.

In other words, there is a strong relation between job satisfaction and productivity. People who love their jobs can easily excel in their fields of work and achieve better results than those, who put salary on the first place.

• Sentence 4 - support your idea with an example :

For instance, Henry Miller decided to leave his everyday job despite a good wage and ventured to become a writer. And after enduring years of ups and downs he became one of the most famous and well-paid authors of the twentieth century.

Thus, advantages of jobs that keep you satisfied outweigh the drawback of a low salary in a long-term perspective.

You can write the conclusion in one sentence that summarizes your opinion + 2 reasons for it :

To conclude, I strongly believe that job satisfaction is more beneficial than high salary because it makes people happy and motivated.

DO NOT write new ideas in the conclusion!

IELTS agree/disagree model answer

This is a full band-9 answer for IELTS agree or disagree question above:

It is often argued that it is more advantageous to choose a job with high wage, even if it doesn't appeal to you at all. I completely disagree with this opinion and think that job satisfaction is much more important than salary.

First of all, I believe that job satisfaction gives people a sense of fulfillment that no money can guarantee. Even if someone is earning a high salary, but feels tensed and compromises with his conscience, this person won’t enjoy his life. While pursuing one’s interests will always bring pleasure and feeling of satisfaction. For example, a lot of famous researchers made their career choices not because of appealing wages, but because they were passionate about science. That’s why it’s more important to choose the kind of work that makes you happy than to look only at a high salary.

Secondly, doing what you like keeps you motivated and therefore leads to a career growth. In other words, there is a strong relation between job satisfaction and productivity. People who love their jobs can easily excel in their fields of work and achieve better results than those, who put salary on the first place. For instance, Henry Miller decided to leave his everyday job despite a good wage and ventured to become a writer. And after enduring years of ups and downs he became one of the most famous and well-paid authors of the twentieth century. Thus, advantages of jobs that keep you satisfied outweigh the drawback of a low salary in a long-term perspective.

(277 words)

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Judge Rejects Trump Dismissal Effort in Classified Documents Case

Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that the former president cannot escape prosecution by arguing that the Presidential Records Act allowed him to claim secret government material as his own property.

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By Alan Feuer

A federal judge on Thursday rejected for now one of former President Donald J. Trump’s central efforts to dismiss charges that he had mishandled classified documents after leaving office.

The judge, Aileen M. Cannon, ruled that Mr. Trump could not escape prosecution by arguing that he had converted the highly sensitive records he took from the White House into his personal property under a law known as the Presidential Records Act.

In a terse three-page order , Judge Cannon said that the statute, which was put in place after the Watergate scandal to ensure that most records from a president’s time in office remained in the possession of the government, “does not provide a pretrial basis to dismiss” the case.

The decision was a victory of sorts for the special counsel, Jack Smith, who has persistently argued that the Presidential Records Act should have nothing to do with the criminal prosecution of a former president accused of removing national security documents from the White House and then obstructing efforts to retrieve them.

But it may not be the final word on the subject.

Last month, Judge Cannon made a curious request to Mr. Trump’s lawyers and Mr. Smith’s prosecutors, asking them to send her proposed jury instructions about how the Presidential Records Act might affect the central allegation against Mr. Trump: that he took “unauthorized possession” of the documents by removing them from the White House.

Judge Cannon seemed to be exploring the idea that if the act really did permit Mr. Trump to make the documents personal, then he could not be said to have had “unauthorized possession” of them.

But in court papers filed this week, Mr. Smith pushed back hard against that move . He repeated his position that the Presidential Records Act did not permit Mr. Trump to make the documents his own and had absolutely no relevance to the case — even when it came to writing jury instructions.

In his filing, Mr. Smith asked Judge Cannon to follow a normal course of action and decide the legal question of whether the Presidential Records Act was relevant to the case in the context of Mr. Trump’s motion to dismiss, not in conversations about jury instructions. (Jury issues are usually hashed out on the eve of a trial and Judge Cannon has not set a trial date.)

In her ruling on Thursday, Judge Cannon agreed with Mr. Smith that the act was not enough to dismiss the case outright. But she appeared to disagree with him when it came to jury instructions, suggesting that those discussions would continue and that Mr. Trump might eventually be able to raise a Presidential Records Act defense at trial.

Mr. Smith’s demand for the “finalization of jury instructions” before “the presentation of trial defenses and evidence” was “unprecedented and unjust,” she wrote.

Legal experts have expressed concern that if Judge Cannon crafts instructions for the jury based on Mr. Trump’s interpretation of the Presidential Records Act, it could be seen as an attempt to nudge eventual jurors toward an acquittal.

Jury instructions that adopt Mr. Trump’s position on the act could also give the judge sufficient legal wiggle room to acquit Mr. Trump herself at the end of a trial by declaring the government had failed to prove its case.

But in her order, Judge Cannon defended her decision to ask both sides for their dueling takes on jury instructions.

Her request, she wrote, should be interpreted as “a genuine attempt, in the context of the upcoming trial, to better understand the parties’ competing positions and the questions to be submitted to the jury in this complex case of first impression.”

Mr. Trump’s lawyers had first advanced their claims based on the Presidential Records Act in court papers two months ago , arguing that the law allowed him to designate even secretive briefing materials prepared for him by the military and intelligence community as private records that he could do with as he pleased.

But from the start, their position was legally dubious.

Judge Cannon herself balked at the idea during a hearing last month in Federal District Court in Fort Pierce, Fla., telling the lawyers that their expansive interpretation would effectively “gut” the act. And during an earlier stage of the classified documents case, the federal appeals court that sits over the judge agreed, writing that Mr. Trump “neither owns nor has a personal interest in” the documents at issue.

While Judge Cannon’s order was largely silent on the reasons she reached her decision, it could have a follow-on effect on another one of Mr. Trump’s attempts to have the classified document case dismissed.

In a separate motion, Mr. Trump’s lawyers have claimed that he is immune from prosecution for any official acts he took as president. Later this month, the Supreme Court will consider that assertion in the context of Mr. Trump’s other federal case, in which he stands accused of plotting to overturn the 2020 election.

His lawyers have argued that the official act that provides Mr. Trump immunity in the classified documents case is his claimed conversion into personal property, under the Presidential Records Act, of the materials he is charged with removing from the White House.

Alan Feuer covers extremism and political violence for The Times, focusing on the criminal cases involving the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and against former President Donald J. Trump.  More about Alan Feuer

Our Coverage of the Trump Documents Case

The justice department has filed federal criminal charges against former president donald trump over his mishandling of classified documents..

The Indictment: Federal prosecutors said that Trump put national security secrets at risk  by mishandling classified documents and schemed to block the government from reclaiming the material. Here’s a look at the evidence .

The Co-Defendants: While Trump plays the leading role in the case, the narrative as laid out by prosecutors relies heavily on supporting characters  like Carlos De Oliveira  and Walt Nauta .

Obstruction: The Mueller report raised questions about whether Trump had obstructed the inquiry into the ties between the former president’s 2016 campaign and Russia. With prosecutors adding new charges  in the documents case, the subject is back .

The Judge: Judge Aileen Cannon , a Trump appointee who showed favor to the former president earlier in the investigation, has scant experience  running criminal trials. Can she prove her critics wrong ?

A Slow Pace: Cannon has allowed unresolved issues to build up on her docket, and that appears to have kept her from making a prompt decision on the timing of the case. It is one of several factors that have stirred concern about her decision-making .