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Aijing
What does "I don't think so" in this dialogue
Person A : We don't need to work on blah blah...
Person B: I don't think so.
Does it mean person B agree with person A or disagree?
Aug 18, 2020 12:18 AM
Answers · 7
3
I see your dilemma with this one... if we add a few extra words for context...
Person A : We don't need to work on this, do we?
Person B: I don't think so.
= Person B agreeing with person A's supposition.
Person A : We don't need to work on Sundays / We don't need to work on the next project
Person B: I don't think so. / I dont think we do.
= Person B agreeing with person A's statement
Person A : We don't need to work on our relationship
Person B: I don't think so either
= Person B agreeing with person A's statement
This kind of thing comes up in casual chit-chat, but usually is avoided by not having negatives in both statements, or throwing "either" in there:
Person A : We don't need to work on blah blah...
Person B: I agree / I thought the same! / That's also what I thought!
August 18, 2020
1
Person B is telling Person A that in fact they DO need to work on blah blah
August 18, 2020
1
I agree with Ammo D.
I disagree with Amber and Hilary...
Person B is agreeing with person A.
Person B doesn't think they need to work on blah blah.
Person A doesn't think they need to work on blah blah either.
So, they are of the same opinion: in other words, they agree.
As Ammo D suggests, this is a bit of a dilemma for learners, because in many languages people will reply in the affirmative - even if the proposition by the other person is in the negative.
e.g. If I said to a Chinese learner of English: "You're not British, are you?" many learners would quickly reply: "Yes". But the correct answer would be "No", meaning: "No, I'm not British."
So now, the Chinese learner is agreeing with my supposition that they are not British.
August 18, 2020
Person B is disagreeing with person A. Person B doesn't think they need to work on something.
August 18, 2020
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Aijing
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Learning Language
English
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