When you hear somebody say something that you know is wrong, you want to tell them. Here are ten polite and less polite ways of telling them they're wrong.
- I'm afraid that's not quite right.
- Actually, I think you'll find that...
- I'm afraid you're mistaken.
- I don't think you're right about...
- Actually, I don't think...
- No, you've got it wrong.
- No, that's all wrong.
- Rubbish!/You're talking rubbish.
- Where did you hear that?
- If you check your facts, you'll find...
Explanations
- Phrases 1 and 2 are fairly polite. If you really want to be polite you could make an apology first e.g. 'I'm sorry to disagree, but...'
- Phrases 3 and 4 are a little stronger and a little less polite.
- You follow phrase 4 with a noun phrase or a gerund.
- Phrases 6 and 7 are very strong. You may upset the person you are talking to so you should be really sure about your own facts before you say one of these.
- Phrases 8 and 9 are actually quite rude. Even people who know each other quite well may not say these phrases to each other.
- Phrase 10 is followed by a sentence or clause with the correct information.