Conceding

Sometimes you want to agree that the other side is right about something.

Whether you’re having a regular conversation or a debate right maybe a part of what they’re saying is correct but they’re not seeing the whole picture and you still think you’re right about the whole picture.

Or maybe you want to agree with one point but say that maybe that point is not as important as this point.

Whatever we need to be able to concede the point.

Sometimes that means we need to be able to show other people that we agree a little bit.

We agree but we need to say usually.

But OK we’re not going to look at three expressions we can use to say OK what you said just now.

That’s probably true.

Maybe that’s right.

However and then make another point that hopefully disagrees with with that point or shows that maybe it doesn’t matter if they’re correct whatever.

OK so let’s look at these three phrases.

There is no denying that alcoholism is a problem but OK so you’re saying alcoholism is a major problem.

OK.

Well I don’t disagree with that.

There’s no denying that alcoholism is a problem.

But OK so one side says we have to do something about this.

Decreasing the age is a terrible idea because it will increase this.

This major issue.

Well there’s no denying that alcoholism is a problem.

But is this the best solution I think.

Blah blah blah.

OK.

So I’m giving the point to the person who said it.

No disagreement.

It also is a way to help define where the agreement and disagreements are.

And this can be a really good way to clarify your point and clarify your position or your case or your argument while you’re right that many deaths have been caused by underage drinking.

OK.

So this would be on the other side.

Now maybe the other side has used the isn’t it true.

And I want to admit that it is but then I’m going to say something else while you’re right that many deaths have been caused by underage drinking.

I agree with that point.

I also feel or I think.

OK.

And then say something else.

I don’t know what that point would be.

But the point is to learn this expression in this way to agree to that point and then move on and focus on something else.

This can be a really good way to focus on another point even though that point is a very good point and not really answer it directly or spend a lot of time talking about that point.

The other one is I’ll admit that alcoholism hasn’t declined much but so one person has said well listen the drinking age at 21 it’s not working very well because alcoholism is the same.

See.

Well I’ll admit that alcoholism hasn’t changed that much but but then I can make another point either a point that contradicts or disagrees with what you just said or to show that maybe something else is more important or to kind of shift focus and change the topics a little bit and focus on something else a stronger point that I have.

So this is sort of a way to fight against some of the phrases that we learned earlier on in the lesson.

Very useful as well.

OK.

So these are the ways that we can first make points make arguments and poke holes in another person’s case.

And then also how we can fight against or avoid really focusing on the points that other people have made.

So hopefully these three ways of giving the other side a point come in handy or are useful to you when you’re disagreeing with someone who has a very good point.

Next we’re going to talk about how we can actually debate a topic.