EXPRESSING

OPINIONS
Week 4
CONTENTS
1. Future tenses (going to and
will).
2. Expressing agreement and
disagreement.
3. Comparisons and
superlatives: too, so, as,
like, more/less, fewer/more;
review of -er and -est
endings.
4. Expressing opinions about
different topics.

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FUTURE TENSES

BE GOING TO
The structure BE GOING TO is normally used to 2. When there are definite signs that something is
indicate the future but with some type of going to happen. (Evidence). Something is likely to
connection to the present. We use it in the following happen based on the evidence or experience you
situations: have.

1. When we have already decided or we INTEND • I think it is going to rain - I just felt a drop.
to do something in the future. (Prior Plan). The • I don't feel well. I think I'm going to throw up.
decision has been made before the moment of (throw up = vomit)
speaking.
3. When something is about to happen:
• They're going to retire to the beach - in fact they
have already bought a little beach house. • Get back! The bomb is going to explode.

• I'm going to accept the job offer.

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FUTURE TENSES
WILL
In other cases, where there is no implicit or explicit 3. To make an offer, a promise or a threat.
connection to the present, use WILL:
• I'll give you a discount if you buy it right now.
1. For things that we decide to do now. (Rapid Decisions).
• I promise I will behave next time.
This is when you make a decision at that moment, in a
spontaneous way. • I'll take you to the movies if you'd like.
• I'll buy one for you too. 4. You use WON'T when someone refuses to do
• I think I'll try one of those. (I just decided this right something.
now)
I told him to take out the trash but he won't do it.
2. When we think or believe something about the future.
My kids won't listen to anything I say.
(Prediction)
• My team will not win the league this season. My car won't start.

• I think it will rain later so take an umbrella with you.

Note: You can use both Will and Going to for making
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future predictions.
FUTURE TENSES:
WILL VS GOING
TO

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FUTURE TENSES: PRESENT
CONTINOUS
1. We usually use the present continuous when the
plan is an arrangement – already confirmed with at
least one other person and we know the time and
place.
• I'm meeting Jane at 8 o'clock on Saturday.
• We're having a party next Saturday. Would you
like to come?
2. We often use the present continuous to ask about
people's future plans.
• Are you doing anything interesting this
weekend? 6
EXPRESSING OPINIONS

STATING AN OPINION: ASKING FOR AN OPINION:

Use these phrases when you want to establish Use these phrases when you want to ask
what your (or someone else’s) opinion is: someone’s) opinion:
• In my opinion... • What's your idea?
• The way I see it... • What are your thoughts on all of this?
• If you want my honest opinion.... • How do you feel about that?
• According to... • Do you have anything to say about this?
• As far as I'm concerned... • What do you think?
• If you ask me... • Do you agree?
• I think that… • Wouldn't you say…?
• Share your thoughts on…
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EXPRESSING OPINIONS

EXPRESSING AGREEMENT:
• I agree with you 100 percent. • I'm afraid I agree with...
• 100% • I have to side with… on this one.
• I couldn't agree with you more. • No doubt about it.
• That's so true. • (agree with negative statement) Me neither.
• That's for sure. • (weak) I suppose so./I guess so.
• (slang) Tell me about it! • You have a point there.
• You're absolutely right. • I was just going to say that.
• Absolutely. • I agree.
• That's exactly how I feel. • True.
• Exactly. • Sure.
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EXPRESSING OPINIONS

EXPRESSING DISAGREEMENT:
• I don't think so. • I disagree.
• (strong) No way. • (strong) Absolutely not.
• I'm afraid I disagree. • (strong) You are wrong.
• (strong) I totally disagree. • That is incorrect.
• I beg to differ.
• (strong) I'd say the exact opposite.
• Not necessarily.
• That's not always true.
• That's not always the case.
• No, I'm not so sure about that.
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EXPRESSING OPINIONS

EXPRESSING DISAGREEMENT-INTRODUCING A
COUNTER ARGUMENT:
• I know what you mean, but…
• I see where you are coming from, but…
• I see what you mean, but…
• I understand what you are saying, but…
• That’s a valid point, but…
• It’s true that…, but…
• I know it might seem like that, but…
• Admittedly…. However…

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EXPRESSING OPINIONS

INTERRUPTIONS: SETTLING AN ARGUMENT:

• Can I add something here? Let's just move on, shall we?
• Is it okay if I jump in for a second? Let's drop it.
• If I might add something... I think we're going to have to agree to disagree.
• Can I throw my two cents in? (sarcastic) Whatever you say./If you say so.
• Sorry to interrupt, but...
• (after accidentally interrupting someone)
Sorry, go ahead. OR Sorry, you were
saying...
• (after being interrupted) You didn't let me
finish.

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 COMPARISONS AND SUPERLATIVES
• We use Comparatives and Superlatives to compare two or more nouns.
• A Comparative Adjective is a word that describes a noun by comparing it to another
noun.
• Comparative adjectives typically end in 'er' and are followed by the word 'than’.
• A Superlative Adjective is a word that describes a noun by comparing it to two or more
nouns to the highest or lowest degree.

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 COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES
The formation of the comparative and superlative depends on the number of syllables in the adjective:

One-syllable Adjectives
• To form the comparative, we add -er to the • * When an adjective ends in the letter E,
end of the adjective. we just add the -R (for comparatives) or -
ST (for superlatives). We do not write two
• To form the superlative, we add -est to the
Es together. Wider (correct) not wideer
end of the adjective.
(incorrect).
• ** When an adjective ends in a consonant
+ short vowel + consonant (C + V + C),
we normally double the last letter. big -
bigger - biggest, wet - wetter - wettest

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 COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

Two-syllable Adjectives
ending in -Y
• To form the comparative, we remove the -
y and add -ier to the end of the adjective.
• To form the superlative, we remove the -y
and add -iest to the end of the adjective.

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 COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

Adjectives with Two or

more Syllables
• For Adjectives with 2 syllables (that don't
end in -y) and higher (3, 4 syllables etc),
we use more for comparatives and the
most for superlatives.
• Some exceptions with two-syllable
adjectives ending in -er and -est: narrow -
narrower, simple - simpler, quiet - quieter

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 COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

Irregular Forms
• *** Further / farther, furthest / farthest are all used for
distance. Only Further / furthest are used to mean
'additional' or 'more advanced'.
• Remember that the opposites of 'more' and 'most' are
'less' and 'least', respectively.
• **** Older - Eldest
• We use elder / eldest when we are talking about
family relationships and normally only before a noun
(not by itself unless it is a pronoun).
• When comparing how ill people are, you will
normally hear worse or the worst and not "iller or
illest". Some people may prefer to replace ill with sick
(sicker, sickest) when comparing.
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COMPARATIVE
S AND
SUPERLATIVES

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GRADED
CUANTIFIERS

• With graded quantifiers we can

express approximate quantity on a
relative scale (rising ➚ and falling
➘).
• Also note, in the following table,
that four of these quantifiers are
used with countable nouns (C),
four with uncountable nouns (U)
and two with both.

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MANY/MUCH MORE/MOST
They mean “a large quantity of". We The comparative form of many/much
use many with countable nouns and is more; and the superlative form of
much with uncountable nouns: many/much is most. We can use both
with countable and uncountable
• Were there many people at the nouns.
party? Was it busy?
• We don't have much time left so • Many people use the Internet and
let's go soon. more people join every year.
• Whoever has most points is the
winner.
• Since you have the most money,
why don't you pay?

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 FEWER/FEWEST,
FEW/LITTLE LESS/LEAST

The quantifiers few and little mean "a The comparative form of few is fewer; and the
small quantity of". We use few with superlative form of few is fewest. We use them with
countable nouns and little with countable nouns:
uncountable nouns: • There were few visitors last week but there are
even fewer visitors this week.
• There were few people in the shop • If Tara has the fewest jobs to do, she can help the
so it didn't take long. others.
• There is little chance that he will
come now so let's go home. The comparative form of little is less; and the
superlative form of little is least. We use them with
uncountable nouns:
• The run took little time last week and even less
time this week.
• Eric has the least work to do so he can help you.
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 SO VS TOO
So
1. So is used BEFORE an adjective or adverb: So + 3. So much and so many can be used when you want
adjective/ adverb (no noun) a stronger way of saying a lot!
• She is so skinny. • We have so much to do today.
• Don’t be so naïve! • There are so many people here.
• It was so good to talk to you today!
2. So CANNOT be used before an adjective + noun.
Instead, before a noun use such.
• She is so a beautiful woman.
• She is a so beautiful woman.
• She is such a beautiful woman!

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 SO VS TOO
So
4. Special sentence structure with so: So + Such, so many and so much can all be used in this
adjective + that-clause sentence structure:
This sentence structure is used to talk about a result • It was such a good book (that) I couldn’t put it
in the that-clause that occurs because of so + down.
adjective. That can be left out of the sentence.
• I read so many books last year (that) I can’t
• The children were so quiet (that) I didn’t even remember them all!
know they were in the room!
• I have so much studying to do (that) I won’t be
Adverbs can also be used in this sentence structure: able to go to the party tonight!
• She ran so fast she won the race!

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 SO VS TOO
Too
1. Like so, too is used BEFORE an adjective or 3. Sometimes the intensifiers way, far, or much can
adverb with NO noun: Too + adjective / adverb be added in front of too:
(no noun)
• These pants are way too big on me.
• We don’t see her very often. She lives too far
• She is far too young to be wearing that kind of
away.
outfit!
• Turn the music down. It’s too loud!
• It’s much too late to do anything about global
• She drives too fast. warming. (This is different from too much!)
2. Too can be used in a positive statement:
• You’re too funny.

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 SO VS TOO
Too
4. Too CANNOT be used before an adjective + 6. Special sentence structure with too: too +
noun. There is no similar word as such to use before adjective + infintive (to do something)
adjective + noun
This structure is used to explain why someone can’t
• She is too a fat woman. do something.
• She is a too fat woman. • I’m too tired to go out tonight.
5. Too much and too many have a similar meaning • This soup is too hot to eat.
as too.
Adverbs can also be used:
• I feel sick. I drank too much (alcohol) last night!
• We got home too late to see the beginning of the
• There are way too many cars on the road. TV show.
Too many and too much can also be used:
• There were too many people at the picnic to
count.
• I had too much work to do yesterday.

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 SO VS TOO
Too
7. Another special sentence structure with too: too +
adjective + for someone/something (+ infinitive)
• This sweater is too big for me to wear.
• We can’t go on this roller coaster. Alice is too
short for this ride!

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 AS VS LIKE
LIKE
1. Most of the time, like compares two things. 4. Like can be used with the modifiers just and very.
• He looks as Oscar Wilde. • My neighbour has bought a new car just like
mine.
Here, we’re comparing two things (he and Oscar
Wilde), so like should be used. • He is very like his brother in many ways.
• He looks like Oscar Wilde. 5. We can use like after the copular verbs seem,
look, sound, smell, taste and feel.
2. In formal writing, like is used as a preposition,
telling where, when or how the noun in the sentence • She seems like a good candidate for the job.
is doing whatever it may be doing.
• She seems as a good candidate for the job.
• He is not like his brother.
• He looks like his brother.
3. In informal English, like is sometimes used as a
• He looks as his brother.
conjunction instead of as. This is very common in
American English.
• Nobody understands her like I do. (Informal)
• Nobody understands her as I do. (Formal)
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 AS VS LIKE
LIKE
6. Feel like: Feel can be followed by like or as if /
though.
• She felt like she was in a dream. (= She felt as if
she was in a dream.)
Feel like can also mean ‘want’ or ‘would like’.
• I feel like singing. (= I want to sing.)
7. We can say like or such as to give examples.
• You could try a team sport like football,
basketball or hockey.
• You should take something soft, such as a towel,
to lie on.

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 AS VS LIKE
AS
1. Frequently, as can be replaced by the way. 4. You also have to use as in the expression the
same as.
• No one makes chocolate cake the way my
mother does. • Your phone is the same as mine.
• No one makes chocolate cake as my mother 5. As if/as though + clause can be used to compare
does. a real situation to an imaginary situation. They are
followed by a clause (a subject and verb).
2. As is used as a conjunction, joining two clauses.
• You look as if you've seen a ghost.
• He can’t play cricket as he used to.
• You talk as though we're never going to see
3. We often use the structure as + adjective + as or
each other again.
as much as to say if something has, or doesn't have,
the same amount of that quality as something else. We can use as + noun to talk about a job or
function.
• She loves curry as much as I do.
• I worked as a shop assistant for two years.
• He's not as tall as his brother.
• He used his coat as a blanket to keep warm.

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 AS VS LIKE
AS
6. As is a conjunction indicating consequence
All the tickets were sold out, as we got there too
late.
7. As means ‘while' or 'during the time that'
• She called as I was getting out of the bath.
8. ‘In the way that'
As we expected, it started to rain.
As you know, classes restart on January 15.

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