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Stay Neutral In An Argument – 10 Phrases

What can you say when two people you know are having an argument – but you want to stay neutral? Choose the correct word in the quiz to find ten ways for staying out of an argument!

Level: Intermediate

1. I'd like to __ out of this one.

be
stay
You can ''stay out of'' or ''keep out of'' an argument.

2. I don't really __ an opinion either way.

have
keep
You can ''have'' (or more formally ''hold'') an opinion. If you say ''either way'' you mean for either of the two sides that are arguing.

3. I don't want to take __

part
sides
If you ''take sides'' it means you ''side with'' (or agree with) one of the two people arguing.

4. To be honest, I don't want to get __

included
involved
You can say ''It's best if I don't get involved'' or ''I don't want to get involved'' if you want to stay neutral in an argument.

5. Can you leave me __ this?

away from
out of
The correct phrase is ''leave me out (of this)''. It means that you don't want to get involved.

6. It's not really for me to __

argue
say
You can use this phrase if someone asks you what you think. By using this phrase, you're saying that it's not your job or place to make a comment.

7. I think you're both __ in different ways.''

right
true
If you say that both people are right in different ways, you're saying that neither person is wrong. This is a tactful way to show that you respect both people's arguments.

8. I'm going to sit on the __ for this one.

fence
gate
If you sit on the fence, you can't decide or make up your mind. We use this expression to say we don't want to ''choose'' either person in an argument.

9. It's __ between you and (name of other person).

only
really
We use the adverb ''really'' to show that we believe something quite strongly. Here, you're saying that you definitely can't get involved.

10. You're going to have to take it __ with (name of person).

down
up
If you ''take something up with'' a person, you go to that person to complain or deal with a problem. Using this expression means that you aren't the right person to talk to in this situation.

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5 comments

Evan Antume
thank you

Sabahi
Thank Clare.This was very useful and has helped me .

tran thi tuyet trang
Thank Clare.This was very useful and has helped me .

Maria
Thank u Clare.......u're the best

Yorqin
thanx

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