Playing devil's advocate thoughtfully
💬 OpinionAt B1, you learned to state opinions clearly: "I think remote work is good. It's flexible." But conversations don't end there. Smart speakers show they understand multiple perspectives.
The Problem: If you always agree or only state one view, you sound narrow-minded. The best speakers play devil's advocate—they introduce counterarguments to show depth of thinking.
❌ One-Dimensional
"Remote work is great. I love it. It's definitely better than the office."
Listener thinks: "Does this person see any complexity here?"
✓ Balanced & Thoughtful
"Remote work has real benefits, but then again, collaboration suffers without in-person connection."
Listener thinks: "This person thinks critically."
Today you'll learn: Phrases to introduce counterarguments while maintaining your credibility and showing intellectual sophistication.
These phrases let you acknowledge the opposite view without abandoning your position:
Examples:
"Social media connects people globally. Having said that, the mental health impacts are concerning."
"Technology has improved our lives. Having said that, we shouldn't ignore its environmental cost."
State a benefit of something, then use "having said that..." to add a counterpoint.
Examples:
"The benefits are clear. That said, we need to address the risks first."
"It's an excellent idea. That said, the cost might be prohibitive."
Use this in a discussion about a controversial topic.
Examples:
"Everyone should pursue their passion. Then again, financial stability matters too."
"Higher salaries would solve the problem. Then again, it might cause inflation."
Express an initial thought, then add a "second thought" with this phrase.
Examples:
"Urban areas offer career opportunities. On the flip side, rural life offers peace and community."
"Investing in stocks can be profitable. On the flip side, it carries significant risk."
Contrast two perspectives using this phrase.
Examples:
"I support climate action. One could argue, however, that economic growth must come first."
"She's the best candidate. One could argue, though, that her opponent has more experience."
State your position, then use this phrase to acknowledge the opposing view.
For each statement, add a counterargument using appropriate transition phrases:
Your response with counterargument:
"That's true, vacation is important for wellbeing. [], some people worry that taking too much time off might hurt their career advancement or make them less visible at work."
Your balanced response:
"A degree opens doors. [], we're seeing that practical skills and networking sometimes matter more than credentials these days."
Your thoughtful response:
"AI has incredible potential. [], we need to consider ethical issues, job displacement, and whether we really want to automate everything."
For each topic, state your opinion then add a counterargument. Show you understand complexity:
Goal: Use 3+ different counterargument phrases. Show intellectual maturity by acknowledging opposing views.
Click to test your memory!
Possible answers:
"That's a good point, but..."
"I see where you're coming from, however..."
"You make a fair point. That said..."
Hedging: Making your own claim less extreme ("I think..." "It seems..." "rather than...")
Counterarguments: Acknowledging the opposite view while maintaining your position
Both show nuance, but counterarguments require you to actually present the opposing view.
Best moments:
After stating your opinion, to show you've thought about objections
In debates or discussions where multiple perspectives exist
When you want to appear balanced and intelligent
Make an opinion statement (with hedging from L22) + introduce a counterargument:
Example: Give opinion on a controversial topic using hedging + counterargument
Try: "I'd say that... (hedging) Having said that... (counterargument)"
I can present counterarguments and show nuanced thinking
How confident do you feel?
1 = Need more practice | 5 = I've got this!
✓ "Having said that..." - Formal, sophisticated
✓ "That said..." - Conversational yet formal
✓ "Then again..." - Reflective reconsideration
✓ "On the flip side..." - Direct contrast, casual-formal
✓ "One could argue that..." - Presents alternative respectfully
Listen to podcasts, debates, or interviews. Notice how experts acknowledge opposing views before countering them. Which phrases do they use?