ASKING FOR AND

GIVING
AN OPINION
(MEMINTA DAN MEMBERI PENDAPAT)

There are many ways to ask for and give an opinion when speaking in English.

1. Asking For and Giving Opinion Expressions

a. Asking For Opinion Expressions.
Formal

 Have you got any comments on …?

 Do you have any idea?
 Do you have any opinion on …?
2
 Would you give me your opinion on …?
 What is your reaction to …?
 What are you feeling about …?
 What are your views on …?
 Please give me your frank opinion.
 Informal

 What do you think of …?

 What do you think about …?
 What is your opinion?
 Why do they behave like that?
 How was the trip/the movie/the food?
 How do you think of Rina’s idea?
 How do you feel about this decision?

b. Giving Opinion Expressions.

Giving your opinion neutrally

I think …
I feel that …
In my view … all students should wear uniform.
It seems to me that … smoking rooms should be provided at public
In my opinion … places.
In my experience … it is safer to stay at home in this condition.
As far as I’m concerned …

Giving a strong opinion

I’m absolutely convinced that …
I’m sure that …
I strongly believe that …
I have no doubt that …
There’s no doubt in my mind that
…
we should give the death penalty to drug
dealers.
we should wear mask in public places.
smoking rooms should be provided at public
places.
 2. Agreeing and Disagreeing with an Opinion
Agreeing with an opinion

We use these words and phrases to agree with someone else’s point of view:

 You’re absolutely right.

 I agree (with you).
 That’s just what I was thinking.
 That’s a good point.
 Exactly.
 That’s true.

Disagreeing with an opinion

Below are examples of disagreeing with someone else’s point of view:

 I don’t agree with you.

 That’s not entirely true.
 I’m sorry to disagree with you, but …
 I’m afraid I have to disagree.
 I’m not so sure about that.
 That’s not what I think.
 I don’t think so

Sample of dialogue of asking for and giving opinion.

Budi: I heard that policy about banning smoking in public buildings was going to be applied.
What do you think about it?

Iwan: Well, I don’t think people should be allowed to smoke in public places, so I support the
ban

Budi: Really? I’m surprised. I’m a smoker, so I should have the right to smoke wherever I want.

Iwan: But don’t you think that non-smokers have rights, too?

Budi: That’s true. You don’t have to smoke if you don’t want to. What’s the problem?

Iwan: Well, I think that I should have the right not to breathe secondhand smoke.

(Source: Forward An English course for Vocational School Students Grade XI, Penerbit Erlangga; English SMK/MAK Kelas XI, Bumi Aksara)