7 Expressing Opinion

Mei 30, 2021

 UNIT 7

This unit presents How to express an opinion in English.  consisting of asking

opinion, giving opinion, avoiding giving opinion, saying you have no opinion, and
trying to change someone opinion.  it also explains how to express opinions in formal
and informal expressions and examples of dialogue.  Furthermore, to develop your
ability to express opinions to someone, after completing this unit you will get two
things:

1. Know the vocabulary in expressing opinions

2. how to express the correct opinion in accordance with the situation or

circumstances.

    Group 7:

Selly Rachman (1905020070)

Agustiana Dewi Anggraeni (1905020048)

Novianti (1905020046)

Fadhilatul Zuhairiah (1905020064)

Expression Opinion

Expressing Opinion is an expression in English which is used to express or express an

opinion.

When we negotiate, express opinions, or just chat with a friend, we often say / express
agree or disagree with other people. But we are not fighting for our own opinions, so
we must know how to show empathy with different opinions and also disagree
without sounding aggressive so that the ongoing conversation seems monotonous. We
need to express our opinions and, at the same time, show that we listen to, understand
and value other opinions. If they feel comfortable, they will be more open to our
ideas, opinions, or suggestions.

Here is an example of an expressing opinion:

1. In my opinion, you need to fix your bicycle so you can ride it again.

2. I would say that this pizza is the most delicious pizza that I’ve ever tasted.

3. I think that chemistry is easier than math. 

4. I strongly believe that our team will get the trophy. 

5. I personally believe that using recycled paper will save our expenses. 

6. In my point of view, we only need to invite two guests because this event will only
last for 2 hours. 
A.    Asking Someone’s Opinion

Asking for an opinion is expression of asking about other people’s opinions on a

matter.

Our opinion about something is what we think or believe about it. In

communication sometimes we need someone’s opinion to overcome our problems
since we feel difficult to solve.

Informal Expression Formal Expression
·         What do you think...? ·         Would you give me
your opinion on...?
·         What’s your opinion
about...? ·         Do you have any
idea?
·         Any comment?
·         What is your reaction
·         How about....? to...?

·         Do you think it’s ·         What are you feeling

going? about...?

·         Would you give me ·         What is your view on

your opinion….? this matter?

·         Do you have any

opinion on ……?

·         Please give me your

opinion ….?

 Dialogue 1

Reno           : Have you heard about our school’s plan to ban smartphones in the
school?
Alex            : Yeah
Reno           : What do you think about it?
Alex            : Well, I think that’s fair enough.
Reno           : Why do you think so?
Alex            : You see… Smartphones have caused so much trouble in our class.
Remember   yesterday’s history class? Our teacher got very angry because was
interrupt by smartphone ringing many times. This may happen again and again.
Reno           : Eh… Yea…

Alex            : Another thing is… Smartphones have caused a kind of stupid

competition.
Reno           : What do you mean?
 Alex            : You know, Everyone seems to compete to have the latest model.
Reno           : Yes, I feel that too.
Alex            : So it’s a good idea if the school doesn’t allow students to use their
smartphone in the school.

B.   Giving Your Opinion

Giving for an opinion is an expression of giving an opinion on a matter. When we

give our opinion, we say what we think, feel or believe about something or
somebody.  

Informal Expression Formal Expression
·         In my opinion, I would rather... ·         I personally believe...

·         I think that awful/not nice/ ·         I personally consider....

terrible..
·         I personally think/feel....
·         In my view...
·         I hold the opinion....
·         I think I like it.
·         My own view of the matter is...
·         I don’t think I care for it.
·         Well, personally...
·         I think it’s good/nice/terrific....
·         If I had my view, I Would...
·         I think that

·         I don’t think much of it.

·         In my case...

·         To my mind...

·         From my point of view...

·         What I have in my mind is...

·         What I’m more concerned with...

·         From my point of view....

·         I feel
 Dialogue 2

Marry  :  What do you think of my new picture?

Paula     :  I think it’s good. Oh you have many novels in your new house.

Marry    :  Yeah, some. I like Agata’s novels.

Paula     :  How do you feel about Agata’s novels ?

Marry    :  I feel they are great novels.

Paula     :  Yes, you are right. I think it is going to rain.

Marry     : I don’t think so. Look outside at the sky! It’s so clear. No clouds there.

Paula     : But I watched the weather forecast yesterday. It said that today is
going to rain. OK Marry, see you.

C.   Saying You Have No Opinion

Sometimes a person asks for your opinion about something and you have nothing
to say or you don't want to say your opinion.

Informal Expression Less Formal Expression Formal Expression

·         Your guess is as ·         It is not something ·         I don’t have any
good as mine... I’Ve considered a opinion about...
great deal.
·         It makes no odds ·         I can’t say I have
to me... ·         It doesn’t really any views on the
matter to me. question...

·         I really don’t know

what to say.

·         I really don’t know

what to think about....

·         I really could’nt

say, ...

·         I don’t know.

Dialogue 3

Alice           : What do you think about wearing uniforms in school?

Bella           : I definitely agree with this rule because it incereasing the safety of
student and improving discipline.

Chelsea       :  I don’t think so, it will cost a lot of money for the parents because
uniform is expensive, it would be a burden.

Dinda         : Well, it’s nice wearing uniform so you don’t need to worry about
what will you wear for parents if the uniforms is so expensive.

Ellen           : I don’t have any opinion about this.

D.   Avoiding Giving an Opinion

When you don’t want to give an opinion on something during a discussion because
it is you can smile and politely ssay “No coments”.

Informal Expression Less Formal Expression Formal Expression

·         Well, now you’re ·         Well, I don’t know ·         It’s difficult to give
asking.... really... an opinion right at the
moment.
·         Can’t say, really. ·         That’s not my
departement, I think. ·         I’m not in a
position to say
·         That all depends. anything about…

·         Perhaps. ·         I’m not afraid I

can’t comment on…
·         No comment, I’m
afraid. ·         I don’t have
anything to say on…
·         Maybe

·         It’s difficult to say...

·         I really couldn’t say

·         I’m sorry I can’t

answer...

·         I’m afraid you’d

have to ask someone
 else.

·         I’d rather not say

anything about...

·         I’d prefer not to say

anything about...

·         I’d have to think

about...

·         I suppose it depends

on your point of view.

·         Do you think so?

Dialogue 4

Ariel           : I know you’ll give me the inside scoop. What’s going on between
Sam and Matt?

Paolo          : You’re asking the wrong person.

Ariel           : Don’t be like that. You know both of them really well, and I know
that Sam Confides in you. Don’t you think Matt is being Unreasonable?

Paolo          : I really couldn’t say.

Ariel           : Why are you being so Close-mouthed? I’m sure you have an Opinion.

Paolo          : I’ve never given it much thought, to be honest, and I don’t think it’s
any of my business.

Ariel           : But they’re both friends of yours. You must have at least speculated
on what’s happening. It’s only human. Do you think Sam is going to leave Matt?

Paolo          : Your guess is as good as mine. I really don’t know anything and don’t
have an opinion either way!
E.   Trying To Change Someone’s Opinion

Changing someone's opinion is indeed a difficult thing, however, if that person's

opinion is wrong, will we let it be? We should try to change the wrong opinion so
that the person can live a better life. Then how do you try to change someone's
wrong opinion to be right:

§   Convey our message or opinion as well as possible, detailed, and thorough.

§  Then give our reasons why we should change that person's opinion. convey
slowly without emotion so that someone can accept and understand what we
say.

Informal Expression Less Formal Formal Expression

Expression
·         You can’t mean ·         You don’t really ·         Yes, but if we look
that surely? think...? at the whole picture,...

·         No, but look,... ·         Yes, but on the ·         Well, I think others

other hand... might say...
·         Hold on ...
·         Well, think of it ·         I respect your
·         Are you this way,.. opinion, of course.
kidding? …
·         Surelly you don’t ·         However,...
think...
·         But there are other
·         Isn’t it possible considerations. For
that...? do you really example,  But seen
think? from another angle,
one might say... But if
·         But look at it like we loook at it in
this,...? another light,...

·         But don’t you

think...?

·         Another way of
looking at it would
be that...

 
Dialogue 5

There are two brothers and sisters who want to buy winter supplies.

Fani: Wow this is so cute (she is holding a summer hat)

Dani: Yes it’s very funny.

Fani: Hey can I buy a hat this summer?

Dani: Buy this hat? How about a jacket?

Fani: Oh I think this hat is so cute, because the jacket can be bought another time.

Dani: Hey are you kidding me? It’s winter now you have to buy a jacket so you
don’t get cold.

Fani: No, but look, this hat is so cute to wear.

Dani: This hat is so cute, but it can’t hold you back from winter.

Fani: Why?

Dani: Oh okay, because the jacket will warm you from the cold and the hat does’nt
work in winter weather. Can you agree with my opinion.

Fani:Hmm but this hat is really cute.

Dani: Next time we buy, now what we need is a jacket to warm you.

Fani: Yes I agree with your opinion.

Vocabulary of Expressing Opinion

Elementary Pre-intermediate Intermediate

·         I (really) think ·         I agree with … ·         As far as I know, …
that …
·         I feel that … ·         I agree with the opinion of …
·         I believe (that)
… ·         I guess/imagine ·         I could be wrong, but …
…
·         I’m sure that ·         I’d definitely say that …
… ·         I have no doubt
that / I’m certain ·         I’d guess/imagine that …
·         In my that …
opinion / My ·         I’d say that …
opinion is … ·         I strongly believe
that … ·         I’m absolutely certain that …

·         I’m fairly confident that …

·         I’m no expert (on this), but

…

·         I’m positive that …

·         I’m pretty sure that …

·         It seems to me that …

·         It’s a complicated/difficult
issue, but …

·         My (point of) view (on this)

is …

·         Obviously, …

·         Some people may disagree

with me, but …

·         This is just my opinion, but

…

·         Without a doubt, …

·         You probably won’t agree,

but …
 

Practice

Our topic this time is how to ask and give opinions or in English Asking and Giving
Opinion. This material will relate to our language skills, because usually we will ask
each other and give opinions in certain situations such as when arguing, sharing or
exchanging ideas, polls, in a meeting, and in other discussion forums. When we are in
one of these situations, then someone asks us for our opinion, then we only give short
answers such as; That "same " or " just so so " will give a bad impression and will in
fact make us seem like someone who is less proficient in speaking. So, let's start
studying the material.

Asking for someone's opinion This expression is used when we ask someone's
opinion.

1.      What do you think of + [topic covered] ?

Answer : in my opinion, it is good that it is not the material that is discussed to

deepen our language from the ability to ask questions and give opinions

2.      What do you think of the new Avengers movie ?

Answer : wow, in my opinion it is a good film to watch in many languages that we

can get from there that we don't know and become lessons

3.      What is your opinion about K-Pop ?

Answer : k-pop many people who like it because of their business they can be
famous and known by many people that can make people like it

4.      Would you give me your opinion about + [topic discussed] ?

Answer : what do you think about the topic?

5.      Would you give me your opinion about the newly open restaurant in town ?

Answer : In my opinion, if we have never visited him, it would be nice if we

visited him to get rid of curiosity, right?

6.      Will you give me your opinion on a recently opened restaurant in town?

 Answer : What do you think about the restaurants that just opened in this city.

7.      Have you got any comments on +[topic covered] Have you got any comments
on new Taylor Swift's single ?

Answer : No comments for the new Taylor Swift, because I haven't visited her yet

8.      How do you feel about + [topic covered] ?

Answer : I think it's quite satisfying

9.      How do you feel about your new school ?

Answer : New school is a school where we can start everything from scratch from
new friends who do not know and over time become close.  That is a change
between something we have never known to something we know, even though it
requires a process.

10.  How do you feel about your new school?

Answer : In my opinion, every school is the most comfortable place and a place
where we can find friends and joke together to fill the void and get a lot of
knowledge, right?