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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?
18 aug. 2020 00:18
Antwoorden · 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!
18 augustus 2020
1
Person B is telling Person A that in fact they DO need to work on blah blah
18 augustus 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.
18 augustus 2020
Person B is disagreeing with person A. Person B doesn't think they need to work on something.
18 augustus 2020
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