"Yes" and "no" are some of the first words you learn in any language, but there are many different ways to say you agree to something. Today we'll continue with the second installment of the topic  "English words of consent and agreement." Check out Part I first if you missed it!

I agree with that, I really do.

Caption 36, Ask Jimmy Carter: Interview with Robin Williams

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Usually the verb "agree" is used as a way of confirming a statement that somebody has made that suggests a condition or a course of action. You can also simply say "Agreed."

We'd like his table, please. As you wish, sir.

Captions 22-23, Oscar® Nominated Short Films: The Absent-Minded Waiter with Steve Martin

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The phrase "as you wish" (or "as you like") confirms that you agree to carry out to a request. It doesn't necessarily mean that you agree with what is being requested. The phrase is sometimes used in cases where you may even have initially objected to the request. Imagine a conversation between a business owner and an accountant: "I want to fly first-class to the meeting." -"That will be too expensive for the budget." -"No, I insist I fly first-class." -"As you wish."

Let's say this: He is the star of the movie. -It's hard to disagree with that.

Captions 32-33, Uma Thurman: Kill Bill

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Saying it's "hard to disagree" with something is a good way to agree with something that may be true only in a figurative way. In the example above, the interviewer makes the argument that because of his good work directing, the director Quentin Tarantino is "the star of the movie," although he didn't actually play an acting role in it.

Oh boy, that is one tasty dish! -I'll say.

Caption 3, A Mickey Mouse Cartoon: Goofy's First Love

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This is an odd way of saying "I agree." It probably comes from "I would say the same thing too." When spoken, the emphasis is on "I'll."

That story is awesome. -Indeed.

Caption 48, Parks and Recreation: Best of Ron & April

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"Indeed" is a confirmation that is basically the same as "Yes, it is."

You have to do what you have to do. -Sure! No problem.

Captions 75-76, Side by Side: Beginners Have to / can

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"Sure" is the same as saying "yes," and "no problem" also works on its own as a way of confirming something or agreeing with something.

Further Learning
Look up the above words and phrases on Yabla English to see them used in different contexts.

"Yes" and "no" are some of the first words you learn in any language. Although such words are technically adverbs, they don't really modify verbs. Many language experts consider them to be sentence adverbs.

OK, alright, good.

Caption 117, Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives: Cookie Jar

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The three words above are kind of like saying the same thing three times: "Yes, yes, yes." "OK" is often also spelled "okay." The spelling here of "alright," is not standard, but is very commonly used. The more formal way write it is with two words: "all right."

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There are, however, stronger ways to say "yes" than "OK," "all right," and "good." Let's take a look today at some of these words and phrases.

It's the thing they make movies about. -Yeah, absolutely.

Caption 72, 16x9 - Cool Runnings: Truth Behind Original Jamaican Bobsled Team

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"Yeah" is an informal version of "yes." The adjective "absolute" means "to a very great or the largest degree possible." So when you say "absolutely," it's a very strong way of saying "yes."

I mean, the theory's been proven true, beyond all doubt.

Caption 16, TED-Ed: Questions No One Knows the Answers to

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If something is "beyond all doubt," then it's unquestionably true. The adverb "unquestionably" means, as the word suggests, that something is so true that should not be questioned. Of course, even things that are scientifically proven may be questioned, otherwise science would make no progress! The phrase "beyond a doubt" means the same thing but less forcefully. You'll hear the phrase "beyond all reasonable doubt" used as a legal phrase in court cases.

So, by all means be responsible global citizens.

Caption 54, Great Barrier Reef: Incredible Facts

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"By all means" is a strong way of saying "yes." "Means," in this context, are the ways that something can be done. The person above could have said "So yes, be responsible global citizens." But using the phrase "by all means" instead of "yes" makes the statement stronger.

Ah, two for dinner? -Uh, yes. Two please. -Certainly. Sit right down.

Captions 119-121, Oscar® Nominated Short Films: The Absent-Minded Waiter with Steve Martin

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"Certainly" is related to the adjective "certain," which means "to have no doubt or knowing exactly that something is true."

Are you going to the canteen? -Of course.

Captions 6-7, George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four: BBC TV Movie

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The phrase "of course" comes from an old meaning of the noun "course," which is the path a ship takes in a river. The original phrase was "of the ordinary course," which later became "a matter of course." Now "of course" can be a way to say "yes" or to affirm something.

Hope you don't break a leg. -Yeah, for sure.

Captions 38-40, New Year's Resolutions: Lele Pons & Hannah Stocking

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"For sure" is a less formal way to say "certainly."

Further Learning
Look up the above words and phrases on Yabla English to see them used in different contexts.