ASKING AND GIVING OPINIONS
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I. ASKING FOR OPINIONS
Expressions Examples
What is your opinion What is your opinion about my new research?
about…?
What do you think about…? People are getting lazier using smartphones. What do you
think about it?
How do you feel about that? How do you feel about leaving your job and starting an
investment business?
What’s your take on…? I think Messi is the best soccer player. What’s your take on
it?
What are your thoughts on What are your thoughts on homeschooling children?
that?
What do you reckon? The weather doesn’t seem good today. What do you reckon?
What would be your opinion What would be your opinion if I said, “I want to quit my
if I said…? job?”
Do you have any opinion? Dad is going to sell our blue car. Do you have any opinions
about this?
Do you have any views on…? Do you have any views on our proposal?
Do you have any comments Do you have any comments on my presentation?
on that?
Do you have any thoughts Do you have any thoughts about buying a used car?
about it?
Do you have any idea Do you have any idea about traveling to Asian countries?
about…?
Would you like to go along Would you like to go along with Mr. Collin’s opinion?
with that?
Would you like to support the Would you like to support the view that college fees are
view that…? worrying students more than parents?
Would you like to give your We’re going to reject Mr. Jordan’s proposal. Would you like
opinion here? to give your opinion here?
Would you like to share any We’re planning to submit the report by next week. Would you
thoughts about it? like to share any thoughts about it?
Do you agree with me? Life is better in suburban areas. Do you agree with me?
Are you in agreement Are you in agreement with Mr. Roy’s proposal?
with…?
Is it justified to say that…? Is it justified to say that there will be no poor people in the
next phase of our civilization?
II. GIVING OPINIONS
1. Expressing personal views
a) Weak
I think….
I’m fairly certain that….
I’m quite certain that….
I could be wrong, but
I’m no expert, but
b) Neutral
I believe….
My impression is that….
As I see it..
It seems to me that…
It strikes me that…..
In my (humble) opinion …
In my view …
From my point of view …
The way I see it is (that) …
To my mind …
Well, I reckon (that) …
Personally speaking, I believe …
As for me, I reckon …
I reckon/suppose
If you ask me
If I were you
To be honest
Personally
c) Strong
I’m absolutely certain that….
I’m convinced that….
I strongly believe that…
2. Agreeing
I (totally) agree with you / that.
I couldn’t agree more.
I’d go along with that.
I feel the same.
You’re absolutely right.
Absolutely / Definitely / Exactly.
No doubt about it.
That’s a good point. / I see your point.
I see where you’re coming from.
3. Partly agreeing
I see your point but …
I kind of agree with you / that.
I agree with you to an extent, however, …
You make a good point, but …
4. Disagreeing
I’m afraid I disagree.
I don’t agree with you / that.
I’d be inclined to disagree.
That’s not the way I see it.
I don’t think so. / I don’t feel the same.
III. GIVING REASONS AND EXAMPLES
1. Giving reasons
Firstly…
Secondly….
One reason is….
Another is….
To start with….
Added to that….
For one thing….
The reason (for this) is
Ví dụ
- It seems to me that weak gun laws lead to more crime. For one thing, it’s too easy to get a
weapon these days.
2. Giving examples
a) Đưa ví dụ:
By way of example, …
If I can use an example, …
To give an example, …
I’d like to illustrate my point with an example
An example to show (you) what I’m talking about is …
b) Một trong nhiều ví dụ
… among other examples.
… and other things of that nature.
… and so forth.
… and so on.
I could give other examples (but I think I’ve made my point).
I’m sure there are more.
Those are just a few examples.
c) So sánh với ví dụ trước
A better example is …
A different example is …
A less clearly connected example is …
A less well-known example is …
A similar example is …
IV. INTERUPT
1. Interupting someone:
Excuse me. Can I just say….?
Could I come in here…?
Sorry to interrupt but….
2. Stopping someone from interrupting you:
If you’d let me finish…
Just a minute…
Hang on…(informal)
V. PRACTICE
1.
Dave: So, it’s agreed, we will go to the cinema and then we will eat at the Italian restaurant next
door?
Tony: That sounds good to me! Charlotte, you are very quiet today, what’s wrong?
Charlotte: Well, personally I would rather go bowling. But nobody asked my opinion.
Dave: You should have said! We can do that as well if you want?
Tony: Yeah, we could go bowling, then go to the cinema and then go to the Italian restaurant.
How does that sound?
Charlotte: That sounds perfect!
2.
A: Ok, so as you know we have a deadline to get this work finished. How do you feel about
staying late tonight?
A: Any comments, Peter, Anne?
B: Well, it seems to me that we don’t have a choice.
C: I feel sure that if we get our heads down, we can finish by 6pm.
3.
Alan: Hey Steph, what did you think of the new Terminator film?
Steph: Well, in my opinion, it wasn’t as good as the older ones. I didn’t find the story line
believable.
Alan: Yeah true, it was strange.
4.
Wayne: Ron, what do you think of United this season?
Ron: I don’t know, I reckon we could be in for a tough season.
Wayne: Who knows. It will be interesting for sure.
5.
Rita: Jonas, come on, what can we do today? I’m bored.
Jonas: I don’t know Rita, what do you want to do?
Rita: Well, why don’t we go to the park?
Jonas: Yeah, I suppose we could do that. But remember it is going to rain later.
Rita: But I’m so bored!
6.
Emma: If we leave at four o’clock tomorrow then we should get there in plenty of time.
Tony: No, I think we should leave earlier than that.
Verity: If you ask me, we should just go by plane. That would be much better!
Emma: Nobody asked you, Verity!
7.
Jenny: I don’t know what to do. I want to go to the disco but I have a test tomorrow. I should
probably study.
Tom: That’s a tough one, what class is the test?
Jenny: It’s maths.
Tom: I’ve heard that test is really easy. If I were you, I would go to the disco.
8.
Ben: Did you see the election result? How fantastic!
Nina: Oh really? No I didn’t see it.
Ben: Oh okay, it was all over the news!
Nina: Yeah but to be honest, I don’t really like politics.
Ben: Fair enough!
9.
Perry: I can’t believe that it’s Glen’s birthday tomorrow! I need to get him a present!
Tina: I could be wrong, but isn’t it the 25th tomorrow?
Perry: Yeah it is!
Tina: Glen’s birthday isn’t until the 26th, you have a bit more time to go!
Perry: Phew! That’s a relief.
10.
Pete: Hi Barry, how’s it going?
Barry: Not too bad, thanks Pete, how about you?
Pete: I’m great! I’ve just gotten back from owl-watching.
Barry: Owl-watching? But it’s 12 o’clock in the afternoon!
Pete: Yes, what’s the problem with that?
Barry: Well, I’m no expert, but don’t owls come out at night?
Pete: Actually, there are lots of owls that come out in the day as well.
Barry: How interesting!
11.
Murray: So, Emily your party has voted against raising wages, what do you think of that?
Emily: Well, I respect their decision but I do not necessarily agree with it. I have very
different views on this issue.
Murray: What do you mean?
Emily: Well, personally I think people work very hard for their money and I think they deserve
even more than they get at the moment.
Murray: Interesting, that’s very different to your party’s view.
Emily: Well, as I said, this is my personal view and I cannot change that.
12.
A: What do you think about marriage?
B: I don’t think it’s for everyone. To start with, the cost of a wedding these days is ridiculous!
A: Well, I don’t doubt that but I believe it’s better for society and…
B: Sorry to interrupt but, as I see it, marriage only leads to divorce!
A: Oh…!
