English Opinion & Attitude Vocabulary
To give an opinion in English you need more than 'I think'. Use stance verbs (believe, suppose, doubt, admit), opinion nouns (view, opinion, attitude), and above all the adverbs that show how sure you are: definitely, probably, perhaps, obviously. These let you sound certain, cautious or polite on purpose.
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Level: B2. Giving an opinion in English is not just ‘I think’. You choose a stance verb, decide how sure you want to sound, and soften or sharpen with an adverb. This page gathers the opinion and attitude words a B2 learner needs, grouped by job so you can reach for the right one in a discussion, an essay or a meeting.
By the end of this page you can…
…state an opinion, agree and disagree politely, hedge when you are unsure, and show exactly how confident you are using the right adverb and verb pattern.
How this list was chosen
Every word here comes from the English frequency list (hermitdave/FrequencyWords), which ranks words by how often they appear in a large collection of everyday subtitles. From that list we kept the words that carry an opinion or an attitude and grouped them by function — stating a view, agreeing, showing certainty, softening — rather than by rank. The Rank column is the word’s real position in the list: a lower number means more common. Attitude and essay words sit lower down the list (higher numbers), which is normal — you meet them more in writing and debate than in small talk.
Stating a view: thinking and believing
| Rank | Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | think | to hold an opinion | I think the plan is too risky. |
| 192 | feel | to have an opinion based on emotion | I feel we should wait a little longer. |
| 205 | believe | to be sure something is true | I believe honesty matters more than speed. |
| 315 | guess | to think something is probably true (informal) | I guess you are right about that. |
| 507 | seem | to appear to be the case | It seems like a fair deal to me. |
| 765 | suppose | to think something is likely, often reluctantly | I suppose we could try it your way. |
| 1632 | opinion | what you think about something | In my opinion, the first option is better. |
| 1589 | view | a considered opinion | My view is that both sides share the blame. |
| 2292 | appear | to seem, from the evidence | The results appear to support the idea. |
| 3198 | reckon | to think or estimate (informal, BrE) | I reckon it will rain before noon. |
Agreeing, disagreeing and arguing
| Rank | Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 903 | agree | to share the same opinion | I agree with you on that point. |
| 1038 | doubt | to think something may not be true | I doubt that will actually work. |
| 1229 | admit | to accept something is true, often unwillingly | I admit I was wrong about the cost. |
| 1699 | suggest | to put an idea forward | I suggest we hear both sides first. |
| 2302 | claim | to say something is true without proof | She claims the figures are accurate. |
| 2764 | deny | to say something is not true | He denies that he ever agreed to it. |
| 2897 | argue | to give reasons for a position | They argue that the rule is unfair. |
| 3020 | insist | to say something firmly and repeatedly | She insists on paying her own way. |
| 5217 | disagree | to hold a different opinion | I disagree, but I see your point. |
Opinion nouns and reasons
| Rank | Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 317 | matter | something that is important or relevant | That is a matter of opinion, not fact. |
| 416 | point | the main idea or a valid argument | You make a good point there. |
| 484 | reason | why you hold a view | My main reason is the cost. |
| 2530 | attitude | a settled way of thinking or feeling | She has a positive attitude to change. |
Showing how sure you are
| Rank | Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 137 | sure | certain | I am not sure that is correct. |
| 155 | maybe | perhaps; possibly | Maybe you are right, maybe not. |
| 369 | probably | most likely | That is probably the better choice. |
| 586 | perhaps | possibly (a touch more formal) | Perhaps we should ask the team. |
| 898 | certain | completely sure | I am certain she said Tuesday. |
| 1009 | obviously | in a clear, unmistakable way | Obviously, safety comes first. |
| 1409 | clearly | in a way that is easy to see | Clearly, the plan needs changing. |
| 1558 | honestly | speaking frankly | Honestly, I expected more. |
| 1867 | personally | giving your own view | Personally, I would wait. |
| 1899 | likely | probable | A delay is likely this week. |
| 3145 | frankly | being direct, even if unwelcome | Frankly, the idea won’t work. |
Degree: how strong is the opinion
| Rank | Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 428 | quite | fairly, or completely (depends on the word) | I am quite sure about this. |
| 649 | rather | to a noticeable degree | The result was rather disappointing. |
| 693 | absolutely | completely; totally | I absolutely agree with that. |
| 770 | completely | fully; in every way | I completely understand your worry. |
| 772 | totally | entirely (informal) | I totally disagree with that claim. |
| 3397 | slightly | a little | I am slightly less sure now. |
| 4444 | fairly | to a moderate degree | The plan is fairly reasonable. |
Attitude adjectives
| Rank | Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 841 | fair | reasonable and just | That is a fair point. |
| 1372 | willing | ready and happy to do something | I am willing to change my mind. |
| 2051 | positive | hopeful; sure | I am positive we can agree. |
| 2335 | convinced | completely sure, after thinking | I am convinced it is the right call. |
| 2532 | negative | critical; not hopeful | He took a negative view of the plan. |
| 3312 | reasonable | sensible and fair | Her request sounds reasonable. |
| 3421 | confident | sure of yourself or an outcome | I am confident this will pass. |
| 4768 | keen | very interested or eager (BrE) | I am keen to hear your view. |
| 11922 | reluctant | unwilling; hesitant | I am reluctant to agree so soon. |
Example sentences
Play each line, then say it aloud. These show the opinion words in natural patterns.
- In my opinion, the second plan is safer.'In my opinion' opens a view politely.
- I believe we should hear both sides first.'Believe' is stronger than 'think'.
- I suppose you could be right.'Suppose' sounds a little reluctant.
- It seems like a fair deal to me.'Seem' hedges a judgement.
- I agree with you on the price.'Agree with' a person, 'on' a topic.
- I'm not sure I agree with that.A polite way to disagree.
- I see your point, but I still have doubts.Acknowledge, then push back softly.
- He denies that he ever promised anything.'Deny' = say it is not true.
- She insists on paying her share.'Insist on' + noun or -ing.
- That is probably the best option.'Probably' = most likely.
- Honestly, I expected a better result.'Honestly' signals a frank opinion.
- Personally, I would wait a week.'Personally' marks it as your own view.
- I absolutely agree with that.'Absolutely' intensifies agreement.
- I slightly disagree with the last point.'Slightly' softens the disagreement.
- I am convinced this is the right call.'Convinced' = sure after thinking.
- I am reluctant to decide so quickly.'Reluctant to' + verb.
- That is a matter of opinion, not fact.A set phrase for subjective claims.
- Frankly, I don't think it will work.'Frankly' warns of a blunt view.
- I am quite sure she said Tuesday.'Quite sure' = completely sure.
- You make a good point, and I'll think it over.Agreeing while staying open.
Recap cheat-sheet
A few patterns to remember before the quiz.
Quick recap before the quiz.
| Point | Example |
|---|---|
| open a view | in my opinion / personally |
| agree with a person | I agree with you on it |
| disagree politely | I’m not sure I agree |
| tune certainty | probably / obviously / perhaps |
Practice
Opinion and attitude practice
Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.
1 Match each word to its job.
- suppose
- deny
- obviously
- reluctant
Show answer
- suppose → think something is likely, reluctantly
- deny → say something is not true
- obviously → in a clear, unmistakable way
- reluctant → unwilling; hesitant
Linking a word to its job helps you choose it faster.
Hint: not 'am agree'
Show answer
agree — 'Agree' is a verb: say 'I agree with you', never 'I am agree'.
Hint: a polite hedge
Show answer
sure — 'I'm not sure I agree' disagrees politely.
6 Put the words in order.
Show answer
in my opinion it is fair — 'In my opinion' opens the view: In my opinion it is fair.
Quiz
Opinion and attitude quiz
12 questions · pick an answer and you'll see straight away if it's right.
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deny — 'Deny' = say it is not true.
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I agree. — 'Agree' is a verb: 'I agree.'
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certain — 'Certain' = completely sure.
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I'm not sure I agree. — 'I'm not sure I agree' softens the disagreement.
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with — 'Agree with' a person; 'on' the topic.
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Personally — 'Personally' signals your personal view.
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slightly reluctant — 'Suppose' often sounds a little reluctant.
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reluctant — 'Reluctant' = unwilling, hesitant.
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completely sure — 'Quite sure' = completely sure in BrE.
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matter — Set phrase: 'a matter of opinion'.
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It might possibly rain. — 'Might possibly' is the most cautious.
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a blunt opinion is coming — 'Frankly' flags a direct, possibly unwelcome view.
Next
- Next set: English Academic Vocabulary
- Related set: English Emotions Vocabulary, Linking Words & Connectors
- Grammar for opinions: Verb patterns that change meaning, Modals of possibility, Cause and contrast connectors, Intensifiers
- New here? Start with Start Learning English Here
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