Agree

Question

I have no idea about "agree".I agree to/ with Tom's plan.I agree to/with it.Are all sentences ok and same meanings?Thanks in advance!

Avangi · Accepted Answer

To agree with something is to allow that it's correct.

To agree to something is to commit to abide by it's provisions.

B.J · Answer

Hi,

So... "I agreed to/with Tom'splan" are both of ok, but meaning is different?

And when we use "agree to", something is only provision( rule, suggestion, idea, etc).

When we use "agree to", something is not only provision but also person's name?

Avangi · Answer

B.J So... "I agreed to/with Tom'splan" are both of ok, but meaning is different? yes.

And when we use "agree to", something is only provision( rule, suggestion, idea, etc).

When we use "agree to", something is not only provision but also person's name?

Are you sure this is what you wanted to say? You can sign your name to an agreement, but that's not exactly necessary.

"I agreed to raise your salary to $3000 per month, but you agreed to quit showing up drunk for work every day!"

"I agree withwhat you say about the president, but I don't agreewithwhat you said about his wife.
I agree with you that we need more jobs.

Fandorin · Answer

Avangi, thanks for explanations. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/> "To" is more like of little bit reluctant agreement, is it so?

Avangi · Answer

Hi, Fandorin,
I'm afraid I can't agree withyou on that!

The element of reluctance may or may not be present in either type of agreement.

He reluctantly agreed to his neighbor's request that he turn down the volume on his TV after ten o'clock on weeknights. (Okay, I agree to do it.)
In this case, he promises to do it.

He reluctantly agreed with his neighbor's opinion that the TV was too danged loud. (Okay, I agree with what you say.)
In this case, it would be appropriate to say that he admitted his neighbor was right.

Fandorin · Answer

Oh, I grasp it now. Thank you. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/78.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/78.gif' alt='Emotion: nodding'/>

B.J · Answer

Hi,

I totally mistook your word.

When "idea" means the goverment should do more to solve economic crisis, we use "I agree with Tom's idea"

When "idea" means let's go to Russian restaurant, we use " I agree to Tom's idea."

B.J

BarbaraPA · Answer

Hi BJ,

I don't think you quite get it yet.

Tom asked if we could go to the Russian restaurant. I agreed to go there. (I will commit to his request.)

Tom said he thinks Natasha's is the best Russian restaurant in town. I agree with him. (I hold the same opinion.)

B.J · Answer

Hi,

I still don't know my problem.

I think following sentences is same meaning what you said.

What is my sentences problem?

When "idea" means the goverment should do more to solve economic crisis, we use "I agree with Tom's idea" (I hold the same opinion.)

When "idea" means let's go to Russian restaurant, we use " I agree to Tom's idea."

(I will commit to his request.)

B.J

Avangi · Answer

I think your plan to use the word "idea" to unlock both uses is leading you astray.

"I agree to Tom's idea" is natural enough under the circumstances, but if you say "I agree to Tom's proposal" or "I agree to Tom's plan," it will keep you out of trouble.

When I read your previous post, I felt quite sure you understood the concept. It's just that "idea" goes a little better with "I agree with your idea" than it does with "I agree to your idea." (Your idea may or may not be a proposal.)

Where shall we go?

Let's go to Pete's Place.

Good idea. I agree.

This conversation is not perfect, but it's quite natural.

What's wrong with it?

"Let's go to Pete's Place" is not exactly an idea. It's a proposal. "I propose that we do X."

"I think we should go to Pete's Place." Now, that's an idea.

"I agree with you. I agree with your idea. I think we should go to Pete's Place."

"Okay, then let's do it!" (Now it's a proposal.)

"Okay, I agree to your proposal. I'm ready to leave."

The real problem here is that "I agree to go to Pete's Place" is a rather formal thing to say. You wouldn't often hear it in casual conversation.
To agree to a proposal is a formal thing to do. It usually involves a certain amount of debate.
When you're out on the town with your friends, you'd probably just say, "I agree." You would neither say, "I agree with your idea," nor "I agree to your proposal."
But when you understand that your friend is proposing that you do something, I think it's okay to say "I agree to your idea" (meaning, let's go!), or I agree with your idea" (meaning, I think it's a good idea).

In casual, lower register conversation, probably no one is going to say, "I agree to X."

If you're doing some serious planning, and complications need to be worked out, then you might say, "Okay, I agree to do X, and Bob agrees to do Y. We both agree to the plan."

We may not agree with the plan. Maybe we both think it's a stupid plan. But we agree to do it anyway.

Agree

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