6-Asking Giving Opinions

Asking & Giving
Opinions
Meeting 7 - Speaking
Introduction on opinion
• When we give our opinion, we say what we think, feel or believe about
something or somebody.
Opinion
Affirmative Non-affirmative
Asking for and Giving an Opinion
A : So Dave, what do you think a good friend is?
B : Well for me, a friend is someone who is good fun to be with.
A : Hmm... Fun to be with? Can you give me an example?
B : I like friends who like to go out and have fun together – go
down town, go to the beach, see a movie, something like that.
A : So, does that mean a friend has to like the same things you do?
A : No, not really, just that they have fun personality. You know,
fun to be with whatever we do.
Asking somebody’s opinion
1. What do you think of...? 6. (What do think of) that?
2. What do you think about...? 7. What are your views on...?
3. How d'you feel (about...)? 8. Where do you stand (on...)?
4. What d'you reckon (about...)? 9. What would you say to... / if we...?
5. What's your opinion of...? 10. Are you aware of.....?

How to use these phrases?
• Phrases 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are followed by a
noun or gerund (-ing form). • Phrases 7 and 8 are more formal. You could use
• Phrases 1 and 2 are general phrases for asking for them in a business meeting and you might hear
an opinion. We can use them both formally and them on interviews on the news.
informally. In informal speech, 'do you' becomes • Phrase 9 is asking the other person's opinion of an
'd'you?'. idea or proposal. We follow 'to' with a noun or
• Phrases 3 and 4 are more informal. We can use gerund and follow 'if we' with a sentence with a
them with 'about' and a noun or gerund phrase past verb.
e.g. 'How d'you feel about having a class outside in • Phrase 10 is an indirect way of asking for an
the garden?' opinion. We ask if the other person knows about
• We use phrase 6 (with that) after another the situation. They are then are expected to react
sentence (e.g. They're going to build a new with an opinion.
supermarket here. What do you think of that?).
Expressions of Giving an Opinion
As Opinion, not Fact
As a choice between options
*Giving an opinion as a fact is not very polite in the
UK
1. In my opinion, this one would be better.
1. I reckon... 2. To my mind this one's better.
2. I'd say... 3. If you ask me, this one's better.
3. Personally, I think... 4. To my way of thinking, this one's fine.
4. What I reckon is...
5. In my view, this one is best.
5. If you ask me...
6. Know what I think? That one's best.
6. The way I see it...
7. I'd say that one's better.
7. As far as I'm concerned...
8. What I think is that one's better.
8. If you don't mind me saying...
9. For me, that one's better.
9. I'm utterly convinced that...
10. I tell you what I think, that one's best.
10. In my humble opinion...
Expressing opinion
1. Express a strong opinion.
• I’m absolutely convinced that the best way to improve your English is to live in an English-
speaking country such as the UK.
• It’s obvious to me that the best way to improve your English is to buy a grammar book and learn
all of the rules.
• As far as I’m concerned, the best way to improve your English is to immerse yourself in the
language and stop communicating in your first language.
2. We can express a cautious or reluctant opinion when we show that we are not certain about
what we think or we are reluctant to express what we believe.
• I suppose that getting a private tutor would be a good way to improve.
• As far as I understand it, you need to practice on a regular basis if you want to improve.
• It seems to me that there is no best way to learn English. Each person has to find a strategy or
method that works for them.
• I must admit that I’m not sure there is a best way to improve your English.
• I suppose that going to an English-speaking country to study English might be a good way.
• I’m no expert but if I had to say, I guess that working in an English-speaking environment would help
you improve.
3. We can express an objective opinion, based on research or what we have heard or read. In this
way, we distance ourselves from the opinion to show that maybe it’s not what we personally
believe.
• Apparently, setting a clear goal, such as passing an exam, can help you improve your English.
• I’ve heard that going to an English-speaking country is the best way to improve.
• The research seems to suggest that there is no best way to improve your English.
4. We can express a subjective opinion, based only our own personal experience.
• In my experience, the best way to improve your English is to practise as much as you can and learn
from your mistakes.
• I don’t know about other people, but I can say that taking English classes helped me.
• What I’ve found is that watching and listening to films and TV in English can really help.
give our opinions to friends and colleagues
1. In my opinion, this one would be better. 8. What I think is that one's better.
2. To my mind this one's better. 9. For me, that one's better.
3. If you ask me, this one's better. 10. I tell you what I think, that one's best.
4. To my way of thinking, this one's fine. 11. It will be good if …
5. In my view, this one is best. 12. That’s a good idea, but I have an idea …
6. Know what I think? That one's best. 13. I don’t think that’s a good idea, …
7. I'd say that one's better. 14. I don’t think so, what about …
How to use these phrases?
• 'In my opinion' is the classic expression - but it's not the only one. Use moderately.
• 'To my mind' is a common spoken form - and you can use it in writing, too.
• 'If you ask me' is very, very common in spoken English, and can come first or last in a sentence.
• 'To my way of thinking' is often used with emphasis on 'my' to give a strong opinion.
• 'In my view' is common in spoken and written English.
• The abbreviated question '(Do you) know what I think?' is very popular and is not rude.
• The conditional structure I'd say is rarely taught as a conditional, but this is one of the most common ways of
giving an opinion in English.
• 'For me' is like 2 and 5.
• 10 is similar to 6, and is quite direct.

LET’S TRY THESE TOPICS:
• The impacts of Instagram/Twitter/TikTok

• Motor racing is boring
• Harry Potter is overrated
Mid-test: Speaking-Rules
A. Test Procedures
1. It is a group speaking test. 5. Every student must mention their
name before beginning the conversation.
2. Each group consists of 3 students.
3. Each group chooses one specific topic 6. Give your opinion and explain why do
provided by the lecture. you agree or disagree on a certain topic.
4. Prepare and make conversation about 7. Each group only has 5 minutes to
the chosen topic. conduct the conversation.
A. Bullying
8. The score will be evaluated based on
B. Current issue happening
the individual performance.

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Asking & Giving

1. What do you think of...? 6. (What do think of) that?

2. What do you think about...? 7. What are your views on...?

3. How d'you feel (about...)? 8. Where do you stand (on...)?

5. What's your opinion of...? 10. Are you aware of.....?

2. To my mind this one's better. 9. For me, that one's better.

4. To my way of thinking, this one's fine. 11. It will be good if …

• 'In my view' is common in spoken and written English.

• 'For me' is like 2 and 5.

• 10 is similar to 6, and is quite direct.

• The impacts of Instagram/Twitter/TikTok

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