English: Expressing Opinions

Level: B1. Giving your opinion well is about more than the words I think. At B1 you can say what you believe, make it sound polite rather than pushy, and disagree without an argument. This lesson gives you the frames to open an opinion, the words to soften it, and the phrases to agree and disagree the way English speakers actually do.

By the end of this page you can…

…open an opinion with a natural frame, make a strong view sound polite, ask other people what they think, and agree or disagree in a friendly way during a discussion.

Frames for giving an opinion

An opinion usually starts with a short frame, then your idea. Learn a handful and vary them so you don’t repeat I think every sentence.

• Neutral and common: I think (that)…, I believe (that)…, In my opinion,…, It seems to me that…
• A little more formal: From my point of view,…, As far as I’m concerned,…, I would say that…
• Casual and spoken: If you ask me,…, Personally,…, I reckon… (informal British)

The word that after think and believe is optional: I think that it’s true and I think it’s true are both correct, and speakers usually drop it.

Making an opinion stronger or softer

The same idea can sound gentle or firm depending on one or two words. This is called hedging (softening) and emphasising (strengthening).

• Softer: I tend to think…, I suppose…, Maybe…, Perhaps…, It’s a bit expensive, I’m not sure, but…
• Stronger: I’m convinced (that)…, I really think…, There’s no doubt that…, I strongly believe…

At B1, softening is the more useful skill: it makes you sound polite and open, not weak. Adding a bit, quite or I’d say to a criticism takes the edge off it.

Asking what other people think

A good discussion goes both ways, so invite the other person’s view.

• General: What do you think? What’s your opinion? What do you reckon? (informal)
• About a topic: How do you feel about…? What’s your view on…? Do you agree?
• Checking: Don’t you think…? Wouldn’t you say…?

Agreeing and disagreeing politely

Agreeing is easy; disagreeing is where B1 learners need the right phrases so they don’t sound rude.

• Agreeing: I agree. / I think so too. / That’s a good point. / Exactly. / You’re right. / I couldn’t agree more. (very strong)
• Partly agreeing: I agree up to a point. / That’s true, but…
• Disagreeing softly: I see what you mean, but… / I’m not so sure. / I take your point, but… / Actually, I think… / I’m afraid I disagree.

Example sentences

Press play and copy the rhythm. Notice how each opinion opens with a frame.

Quick recap before you practise.

A short conversation

Nadia: What do you think of the new café? Tom: Honestly, I’m not sure. I think the coffee is good, but it’s a bit expensive. Nadia: I see what you mean, but I’d say it’s worth it for the quiet. Tom: That’s a good point. Maybe I’ll give it another try. Nadia: Exactly — go on a weekday morning.

Usage notes

• that is optional: after think, believe, suppose, feel you can keep or drop that. In speech it is usually dropped.
• Actually ≠ now: English actually means ‘in fact’ and often introduces a polite correction, not a time. Actually, I disagree.
• I’m afraid = sorry to say: it has nothing to do with fear; it softens bad news or disagreement.
• reckon and I’d say are informal: fine with friends, but use I think or In my opinion in writing and formal talk.
• Don’t say ‘according to me’: English uses in my opinion or I think, never according to me for your own view. According to is for other sources: according to the report.

Practice

How to say it

A few opinion words are easy to mispronounce. Copy the audio rather than spelling them out.

• opinion has the stress on the middle syllable: “uh-PIN-yuhn”, three beats, not “o-PINE-ion”.
• believe stresses the second syllable and ends in a v sound: “bih-LEEV”.
• comfortable usually drops a syllable in speech: “KUMF-tuh-buhl”, not “com-for-TA-ble”.
• honestly is silent on the h: “ON-ist-lee”.

Quiz

Recap cheat-sheet

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