Conflict Vocabulary Practice

Target vocabulary

clash with somebody — to have a conflict with somebody because of different opinions or personalities

contradict something/somebody — to say or show the opposite of something

back down — to stop arguing or stop demanding something

find a compromise — to reach an agreement where both sides give up something

see eye to eye with somebody — to agree with somebody

pick a fight with somebody — to deliberately start an argument

be the issue — to be the real problem

an underlying issue — a deeper problem behind the obvious problem

gang up on somebody — to attack or criticise one person as a group

Exercise 1. Complete the sentences

Use the phrases from the box.

ganged up on / find a compromise / underlying issue / clash with / backed down / is the issue / see eye to eye / picked a fight / contradicts
1. I don’t usually argue with people, but I often my brother because we have very different views.
2. What you’re saying now what you said yesterday.
3. At first, he refused to apologise, but later he .
4. We both wanted different things, so we had to .
5. I like my colleague, but we don’t always on how to manage projects.
6. She was in a bad mood and with her boyfriend for no real reason.
7. I don’t think money here. I think the problem is respect.
8. They keep arguing about cleaning, but the is that they don’t feel appreciated.
9. I felt terrible because everyone in the meeting me at the same time.
1. clash with
2. contradicts
3. backed down
4. find a compromise
5. see eye to eye
6. picked a fight
7. is the issue
8. underlying issue
9. ganged up on

Exercise 2. Choose the correct option

1. My parents and I often about money.
2. His behaviour his words.
3. I didn’t want the argument to continue, so I
4. We couldn’t agree completely, but we managed to
5. I don’t with my boss on this issue.
6. Why are you trying to with me?
7. The schedule isn’t
8. Jealousy was the in their relationship.
9. When three people started criticising her at once, she felt they had her.
10. I don’t want to argue. I’m sure we can

Exercise 3. Finish the sentences logically

These answers are personal, so they are not checked automatically.

1. I often clash with people who...
2. If somebody contradicts themselves, I usually...
3. I find it difficult to back down when...
4. It is easier to find a compromise if both people...
5. I see eye to eye with my best friend on...
6. People sometimes pick fights when...
7. In many arguments, money isn’t really the issue. The issue is...
8. An underlying issue in many friendships can be...
9. I would feel hurt if my friends ganged up on me because...
10. In a work conflict, the real issue is often...

Exercise 4. Replace the underlined part with the target vocabulary

1. I often have conflicts with my sister because we are both stubborn.
→ I often my sister because we are both stubborn.
2. His words don’t match his actions.
→ His words his actions.
3. She wanted to continue the argument, but I decided to stop insisting.
→ She wanted to continue the argument, but I decided to .
4. We both had to give up something, but finally we reached an agreement.
→ We both had to give up something, but finally we .
5. I completely agree with my mum about this.
→ I my mum about this.
6. He wasn’t angry at first, but then he deliberately started an argument with me.
→ He wasn’t angry at first, but then he me.
7. I don’t think the dishes are the real problem.
→ I don’t think the dishes .
8. The deeper problem is that she doesn’t trust him.
→ The is that she doesn’t trust him.
9. Everyone criticised me together, and it felt unfair.
→ Everyone me, and it felt unfair.
1. clash with
2. contradict
3. back down
4. found a compromise
5. see eye to eye with
6. picked a fight with
7. are the issue
8. underlying issue
9. ganged up on

Exercise 5. Are these sentences correct? Correct the mistakes

Write the corrected sentence. Then check the suggested answers.

1. I often clash my sister about politics.
2. His explanation contradicts with the facts.
3. I didn’t want to back down because I knew I was right.
4. We need to find compromise.
5. I don’t see eye to eye with my boss.
6. Stop picking a fight on me.
7. Maybe the issue is not money, but control.
8. There is an underlying issue behind this argument.
9. My classmates ganged up me during the discussion.
10. Her behaviour contradicts what she says.
1. I often clash with my sister about politics.
2. His explanation contradicts the facts.
3. Correct.
4. We need to find a compromise.
5. Correct.
6. Stop picking a fight with me.
7. Correct.
8. Correct.
9. My classmates ganged up on me during the discussion.
10. Correct.

Exercise 6. Mini-dialogues: complete the gaps

Dialogue 1

A: Why do you always argue with Mark?

B: I don’t know. We just with each other.

A: Maybe your personalities are too different.

B: Maybe. We definitely don’t on most things.

Dialogue 2

A: You said you wanted honesty, but now you’re angry because I told the truth.

B: That’s not fair.

A: But it what you said before.

Dialogue 3

A: I think you should apologise.

B: Why me? She started it.

A: Maybe, but somebody needs to , or this will never end.

Dialogue 4

A: You’re arguing about cleaning again?

B: Yes, because he never does anything.

A: Are you sure cleaning ? Maybe the is that you feel ignored.

Dialogue 5

A: I hated that meeting.

B: Why?

A: Three people criticised my idea at the same time. It felt like they me.

Dialogue 6

A: I don’t want to fight.

B: Me neither. Let’s just .

A: Okay. You choose the hotel, and I’ll choose the dates.

1. clash / see eye to eye
2. contradicts
3. back down
4. is the issue / underlying issue
5. ganged up on
6. find a compromise

Exercise 7. Choose the best reaction

1. Your friend says: “You always disagree with me just to annoy me.”

2. Your colleague says one thing in a meeting and the opposite thing the next day.

3. Your partner keeps arguing about small things, but you think they are upset about something deeper.

4. Three classmates start criticising one student’s idea at once.

5. You and your friend want different holiday plans.

Exercise 8. Put the words in the correct order

1. often / with / I / clash / my parents / about money

2. contradicts / the evidence / your story

3. back / he / refused / down / to

4. compromise / we / find / need / to / a

5. eye / don’t / to / we / see / eye

6. always / why / a fight / you / pick / do / with me?

7. isn’t / the issue / money

8. underlying / there / an / issue / is / bigger

9. ganged / they / on / up / me

10. with / I / see / my sister / eye to eye / on most things

1. I often clash with my parents about money.
2. Your story contradicts the evidence.
3. He refused to back down.
4. We need to find a compromise.
5. We don’t see eye to eye.
6. Why do you always pick a fight with me?
7. Money isn’t the issue.
8. There is a bigger underlying issue.
9. They ganged up on me.
10. I see eye to eye with my sister on most things.
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