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9 Ways to Express Opinions in English

Welcome back to another post in English learning series. In this article, I will specify 3 main ways to help you express opinions in English by different situations.

As you all know, not only in IELTS Writing test but also in daily conversation, there will be time and situations when you need to express your thoughts or show your opinion. Your English proficiency will also assessed partly through the fact of how flexibly you can make use of expressions to expose your idea instead of reusing the common phrases like “I think” or “In my opinion”.

Why do I have to use expressions. Why can’t I just directly speak my opinion? Have you ever thought of that? If yes, then the answer is because without these expressions, your idea might seem to be imposing.

So, without further ado, let’s dive in.

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1 I bet (that) + clause

This structure can be used when you are fairly sure that something is true, something is happening etc, although you cannot prove this.

For example: I bet your motor is out of gas.

2 I strongly believe that + clause

You can make use of this expression in English writing like in the IELTS test, your application letter and so on. This phrase can also be used when you already had research or reliable resource as references and proofs. It helps to show how persuasive is your thought and how much you want them to trust you.

For example: I strongly believe that all the businesses should operate toward sustainable development.

3 There’s no doubt in my mind that + clause or There’s no doubt to me that + clause

These phrases are used to emphasize that something seems certain or very likely. This form can be utilized in both written and spoken context.

For example: There’s no doubt to me that she has gone absolutely crazy about you.

4 I’m not sure/certain, but + clause

For example: I’m not sure, but she’d probably gone for hours before you arrived.

5 I tend to think that + clause

You can say that you tend to think something when you want to give your opinion, but do not want it to seem too forceful or definite.

For example: I tend to think that this shirt will look better on you.

6 It seems to me that + clause

You should use this expression when you would like to say that something appears to exist or be true. In another way, it indicates that you hesitate about what you are saying to people

For example: It seems to me that he is over you now.

7 If you ask me, + clause

This phrase helps you give a signal about your personal opinion about an event.. You can also use this even when not asked, just to demonstrate another perspective toward the problem. This would make people more comfortable to absorb your idea.

For example: If you ask me, I would say that I don’t really like her.

8 As far as I know/understand/am concerned, + clause

This is used when you are giving your opinion about something, especially when your opinion may differ from others.

For example: As far as I know, she will leave tomorrow.

9 As I see it, + clause

This expression is used when you don’t want other to be too affected by your opinion but taking it as your perspective toward the problem only.

For example: As I see it, he’s never gonna win this battle.

Tips to learn words and communicate effectively

The above are some ways to express opinions in English that used very often by indigenous people. However, the article will not stop right here since in this part, I will share to you an ultimate tool that helped me a lot to study vocabulary. Drum rolls for the one and only – eJOY eXtension – a Chrome extension developed by eJOY team.

eJOY eXtension

With eJOY eXtension, you can feel free to look up words that you do not know while enjoying YouTube video or reading English articles, see how they can be pronounced. In addition, what is even better is that you can save all the words to learn and practice via many games to memorise them. It is very easy and simple to use, check out the instructions to eJOY eXtension for more detail.

Not yet, as to speed up and make your new learning process more intuitive and lively, eJOY also has Word Hunt feature. Word hunt will help you search for video contexts that use your words, structures.
When checking a random word with eJOY eXtension, you will see an orange button “Say it” appear. Click on it, Word Hunt will list the videos that contain that vocabulary in the subtitles.

An example direct translation when you are using eJOY

Do not forget to periodically review and practice using phrases and structures to express opinions in English. This will assist in making your communication skills to be more natural and fluent.

Expressing Your Opinion in English: Speak Your Mind with These Quick Phrases

Being unable to express yourself clearly is a common fear among language learners.

In this post, I’m going to teach you exactly how to overcome this fear with tips for expressing your opinion in English and common English phrases to use when doing so.

Contents

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

What Is an Opinion?

An opinion is simply how you feel or think about a certain issue. It’s usually a personal viewpoint based on your experiences.

Being asked to express your opinion shouldn’t be scary, because we express opinions all the time.

Whenever we speak, we’re likely either agreeing or disagreeing with someone, or telling them what we think about something.

Don’t believe me?

Let’s take a look at some of the things we say in our day-to-day conversations.

What do these statements all have in common, apart from being in the first person (I, me, mine)?

They’re all personal opinions.

When telling someone our opinions (especially when using formal English), there’s a certain way we do it in order to sound polite.

It’s important to know how to clearly express your thoughts in an organized way so that no one misunderstands you (or gets offended).

By the end of this post, you’ll be able to confidently and politely express your opinions in English like a native speaker would.

So let’s get started, shall we?

Tips for Expressing Your Opinion in English

Before diving into common phrases, here are some tips that’ll help you express your opinion in English as well as improve your speaking and writing skills.

Phrases for Expressing Your Opinion in English

An opinion usually has three parts:

Let’s take talking about the weather, for example:

I really hate summer weather (opening statement).

It’s hot and humid (reason #1).

It makes me feel tired and unproductive (reason #2).

I don’t feel like working or doing anything much (reason #3).

So I don’t look forward to summer (conclusion).

To express your opinion in English, you can always refer to this three-step guide. The conclusion is something we often skip while speaking, but it’s important when we’re writing our opinions in the form of an essay.

Express Your Personal Opinion with These Phrases

Now let’s focus on making our opening statements stronger and more clear.

The listener should know right away that what you’re telling them…

Thankfully, in English, we have several phrases just for this purpose.

Let’s take a look at some examples:

Express a General Opinion with These Phrases

Sometimes, we share an opinion with someone else (or a group of people). In these cases, it’s common to use third-person pronouns (it, they, everyone and more).

If you want to talk about an opinion shared by others instead of a personal opinion, use the following phrases:

Agree with Someone Using These Phrases

Sometimes, two or more people have the same opinion. In such cases, this is how you express your agreement with them.

Disagree with Someone Using These Phrases

There may be situations when you disagree with someone on certain topics.

That’s when you have to politely express your disagreement while avoiding an argument or fight.

You have to make the listener realize that while you heard and understood what they said, you don’t agree and have a different opinion.

Explain the Reasons for Your Opinion with These Phrases

In several situations, such as in meetings and group discussions, we’re asked to explain our opinions. There are many ways of doing this.

We can simply state or list our reasons (firstly, secondly, thirdly) in a certain way.

We can also use conjunctions (such as because) or other connecting words and phrases to explain our thoughts in a logical manner.

Conclude Your Opinion with These Phrases

Finally, you have to sum up your thoughts in the conclusion.

You can repeat the opinion or even ask your listener to share their opinions on the matter, too.

Expressing Opinions in English: A Sample Conversation

By now, you have a good idea of how to express your opinion in English.

Let’s look at a sample conversation to better understand how to use the above words and phrases in daily life.

Lily: I think learning a new language has made a huge difference in my life.

Dan: Yes, I agree with you. In my opinion, studying a bit every day has helped me stay on track.

Lily: That’s good, but I don’t think that approach will work for me.

Dan: Really? Why not?

Lily: Because I work two jobs and by the time I get home, I’m too tired to do anything else. I do most of my studying on the weekends when I’m free. But when I have time, I try to watch a film or two with subtitles to have fun and practice my listening skills.

Dan: I understand. We have different learning styles and we lead very different lives. We have to make the best of the time that we have.

Lily: Yes, absolutely!

Well, I hope that made the art of expressing your opinions in English much easier and clearer than before!

You can always follow the three-step guide and practice the common phrases we use when sharing our thoughts and beliefs.

Of course, you’ll make mistakes and that’s an important part of learning. So get some practice, be sincere and try your best. Before you know it, you’ll be a confident and fluent English speaker!

Archita Mittra is a freelance writer, journalist, editor and educator. Feel free to check out her blog or contact her for freelancing/educational inquiries.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

How to express your opinion in English

Test your understanding of this English lesson

238 COMMENTS

The other phrase that I use quite often, and I think is weaker than “I think” is “I reckon” (yep I’m in UK now), it’s used here very often.

Anyways, it was a really nice video, I enjoyed it, and learnt few things.

Hi Rebacca! Nice lession and thanks.
It would be so kind of you if perform a lession about “I mean it”, “You’re so mean” which has been confused me forever.

The meaning of “I mean it” is I’m really serious about it, I’m not kidding, I’m not joking.

The meaning of “You’re so mean” is completely different. It means you are not a kind person, you are selfish, harsh, unfriendly.

I agree the word mean can have many different meanings! All the best to you, Karthick!

Thank you so much Rebacca for replying on my comment. I understood.

nice topic again! 🙂

Very useful set of expressions to state our opinion on different matters.

Rebecca, I do have a very high opinion of your video-lessons. You are a committed language teacher.

Different expressions are used in different ways in various parts of the world. The term “I reckon” would be seen as casual and more of a country expression, rather than an urban one in many parts of the States and Canada, but not all.All the best!

7/10… Some small mistakes. By the way, good lesson.

You guyz teach so cool lessons.best website

Hello teacher, Nice and easy lesson. May I ask you to make a detailed lesson on “just”(ADVERB)which I have lots of problems. Thank you. Good luck!

Thanks for your teaching about expressing. But I want to ask you one more that all of these expressing usually use to show about the ideas?

perfect ) useful lesson) Thanks Rebecca)

I got 7 correct out of 10. I was confused but the score of quiz was nice to me 🙂 I will review. Thank you, Rebecca 🙂

Thanks Ms Rebecca, I got 70%

I believe this lesson is very useful. But according to me, it should be a little more (or even much more for advanced) difficult than now.

I feel this lesson is very helpful.
from my point of view,it should be a little
hard.
Thanks for your excellent lesson. I GOT 8 OF 10

I think you’re great teacher thanks indeed to help me.

Dear Rebecca,hope you are well.I’m very obliged to you for all your lesson’s!You explane so accessible same us usual. By the way i got 100 point’s 😉

Thanks for your feedback. We have several videos on engvid which feature phrasal verbs and idioms; these lessons may help you. We continue to record more lessons on idioms as there are hundreds of them which are used in everyday conversation, as you rightly said. My best wishes to you.

How patient teacher you are!I love you the way of teaching,i notice you have been trying every efforts to explain our question as easy as you can according to our comprehension.thank you so much,Praise God for we have a such wonderful elegant Teacher.God bless you

Hello Rebecca, thank you for your lesson. Just a question, please. Concerning “from my perspective” is it weaker than “I think” “I suppose” etc.?
Thanks in advance

“From my perspective” is more formal, academic and business-like than the other options you mentioned. I would use it in writing or in more intellectual discussions. All the best to you!

because you’ve broken your leg until now:) the action isn’t end. I think when we’re talking about present perfect there is always a connection with now

Thanks to all who answered your question. You asked a good question. It’s a little confusing because sometimes there is not much difference between the past tense and the present perfect and in some situations we could use either one. It’s true that the present perfect tries to emphasize how something that happened in the past impacts something in the present. So, for example, if a friend asks you to go hiking with him, you could say, “Sorry, I can’t come. I;ve broken my leg.” The emphasis is on the result of the action, not on when it happened exactly. I know it can be tricky.

Think of this:
If I say “I lost my passport”, it could be that I found it later, but if I say ” I have lost my passport”, it’s 100% clear that I lost it and it is still lost.

All the best to you!

It seems to be soooo clear, if you’ve explained it! thanks very much

I suppose that if you say “I have broken my leg” to a person in front of you or who is looking at you, you link the past (when you broke your leg) with the present (now you can see that I have broken my leg, it’s something new…like an announcment). If you refer to a precise moment in the past (eg. last year) you ought to use the past tense.

8/10. Not bad. Thanks.

Hi dear Rebecca, i just loved the lesson. I only have a little doubt. There’s a degree of strength in the expressions on the left. Is there any degree of strength in the expressions on the right, too?
Thanks!

The expressions that start with “I…” are used more in everyday conversation. The other expressions are used more in writing or in serious, more formal discussions. All the best to you!

I got 100%
I believe you are a great teacher

Thank you much!very good classes.

From my viewpoint, it’s truly useful and very important. Mainly whether you’ll take some tests like TOEFL, IELTS or whatever and even if you won’t. Thanks a million Rebecca!

Hello Rebecca! Thank for your interesting lesson. I’d like to know if saying ‘it seems to me’ is the same than saying ‘I seem’.
Thank you very much for the clarification.

Hello Rebecca! Thank for your interesting lesson. I’d like to know if saying ‘it seems to me’ is the same than saying ‘I seem’.
Thank you very much for the clarification.

6/10 thanks very much, Rebecca

Brazilians in the house.
Great lesson, teacher.
I think it’s very very useful.
Thanks a lot!

I got 100%, 10 out of 10, thanks very much Rebecca…

I tried the quiz without your lesson, I’ll follow it now to improve my score.

oh, I’ve got 9 correct answers. Just because I overlooked the comma in the 1st question 🙁

Kinkly explain the meaning of “shed away”
Thanks

Hello.Rebecca
I have some question unanswered in mind
1) What does language mean to you?
2) How can student articulate their thinking in writing?
3) What is the difference between language and speech?
4) What is PLS or pictological system?
5) I have heard that we have some formula to creat iiregular verbs in English I want know how a verb changes to be an irregular one.
Thanks in advance.

These are all good questions that deserve a long conversation over a cup of warm tea/ coffee! For now, let me simply answer your second question. I believe strongly that good thinking precedes good writing. So first one’s thinking must be clear, logical and organized. That’s just the start. Then, one really has to be familiar with the syntax of a language. In our engvid lessons, all the teachers try to provide “templates” which act as shortcuts to proficiency, so that students learn elements quickly and can apply them immediately, correctly and confidently. That will have to suffice for now. Thank you kindly for your interest – are you a language teacher or linguistics specialist? I wish you all the best.

hi.Rebecca hope you do well madam.
well.its my honour to be called like that,but actually I,m just an student who is intersted in english language as well.
I strongly believe that,if i want to speak in one language i should invite it in my life in all of its aspects. well i’m so sorry for the number of my questions but here is another one would you please tell me what is the deffrence between the activator and the synonym of a word?
Thanks in advance.

Really nice teacher. That’s such a good lesson, Thank you. I got one hundred percent!!

Thank you! I got 10/10 🙂

I got 9 out 10 correct. thanks for the lesson.

nice Rebecca
I believe that practice make you perfect, so practice with through skype: tayyab.shafaq

nice Rebecca
I believe that practice make you perfect, so practice with through this ID: tayyab.shafaq

I think that practice is the way to improvement

I am lerning English spiking at myself an I need an American to spike whit me if you can help me plz call me at 10 est tim on Skype ” Mehdi.shahvali”

“a creditable site” about :

Many thanks.Could please explain how to use DUE

A good question but too complex to explain here as the word “due” has many meanings. Please google “due meaning” and you will find the many definitions. All the best!

thank u so much

Thanks Rebecca.I got 10 correct out of 10.

yup! i got 10/10… lol

Very glad the lessons help you. My bets wishes to you.

hey
my name is maryam from pakistan
plz help me out
how to improve my english

please some one help me

I’ve got 8 correct out of 10:)
Thank you my best site

9/10, very useful lesson I like the way you teach.. thank you

Thanks, it was useful 🙂

how gould you watch vidos

Hi there,
U should use a VPN.
🙂

No, I don’t use VPN, I use anti- filtering.

I download it and then I watch it.

thank you very Much miss :0

Hi Rebacca!
Could you please explain me what the difference between “In my view” and “From my perspective” is?

They are essentially the same so you can use either one. All the best,Elena.

I’m confusing question #4 and #7.
Why is “in my point of view” incorrect?

same, i still didnt understand what the difference between “In my view” and “From my perspective”

same, i still didnt understand what the difference about that

Special thank to you for the very useful lession

i didn’t watch the video & i got 6 no bad! but seriously what’s up with the first question?

You need to watch the lesson to know the answer to your question! Then you will understand why only one of the 3 options requires a comma after it. My best to you.

Hi there
My name is Sadulla and I’m from Tashkent Uzbekistan.First of all thanks for your lessons because they are helpful for learners of English and secondly, in my opinion they are good resource for teachers.I’d like to get information about how to learn easily understand english speaking people in real life and how to be a synchro translater
thanks

Welcome, Sadulla from Uzbekistan! It seems that your English is at quite a high level already. You would need to study translation at a university to work professionally in the field. The best way to understand English-speakers is to listen to them as often as possible. Also, if you look at some TOEFL or IELTS guidebooks and follow along with the transcript of the listening exercises, it may help you to get used to the flow of the language. All the best to you!

In my opinion, it was a great lesson. I hope learn more usefull structures about speaking.thanks

Thanks Rebecca, It was useful for me

Hi Rebecca. Your video is so clear to learn. Thanks a lot.

Could you please explain these word meaning – Say,Talk,Speak,Tell.
Thanks.

i got 7 out of 10

Thanks to all for your feedback. My warmest wishes to you. Please tell your friends if you find our lessons helpful, so we can continue to produce more lessons. Thank you.

Hi Rebecca. Very Nice lesson.

Thanks a lot Rebecca: 80%, In my view was trully good.

“Acording to me” is a wrong grammar, isn’t it? Vietnamese teachers do not allow me to use it either in speaking or writing.
Thank you for your great lesson. I got 9/10 🙂

good lesson, I got 80

7/10 Good lesson!

i want to larn anglish waht do i do.

Thanks Rebecca ecxelent lesson

Hey! 🙂 Thank you for your labor. I think it improves our speaking skills.

Rebecca, This lesson was very simple and usefull to me. Excellent explanation. thanks a lot.

Thank you Rebecca. Before seeing this video, I thought weightage of all words are same. Now, I have identified the difference. It’s really good learing for me and I liked the way you have explained where we have to use “,”.

Could you please explain what is the diffence between “in my perspective” and “in my view”?

Rebecca You’re the best

To me, the idea of working for anyone but myself is ridiculous!
I wonder, is this sentence correct? My doubt is “BUT”. I’d put “BY”, no? Thanks

good lesson.. thanks alot

Hello Rebecca! I have a doubt, I should…, I have to… which one is correct?

Thank you for your teaching, You are a best teacher of me.

Very good and easy lesson!

hai rebecca i have one doubt how is going your work? and how is your work going? which one is correct?

Hello Rebecca,
the lesson and the rest of the teaching crew are wonderful bunch. i have written my IELTS once and scored 7.5,6.5,6.5 and 7.please, i am really not too impressed and will be writing again. i wants you and all the Teaching bunch too to help me with my writing and speaking more if you all can help.it will be appreciated

Thank you once again. You are a great teacher and my favorite on engVid:)

Thank you. Great video

Thank you so much. You are one of the best teachers that I’ve ever seen! Great video.

wow wow wow,100,thank you so much

Tks. So nice. I liked your class and explanation. Very good.

I got 9 correct out of 10.( Im glad).

i think you are the best teacher..

Thank you very much for the lesson

Thanks a lot Rebecca this lesson is very usel for me to have a good call center interview, I’m studying very to be success in that interview and from your viewpoint you gotta good lessons

Hi Rebecca, i am very thankful to you for your great lectures as usual. It would be very kind of you if you tell the difference between lots of and a lot of.could you please help me for it.Thanks

Thank Rebecca. Wrong answer for the first question. Comma!

so easy got 100% 😀

thank you, I got 100% 🙂

Hi Rebecca thank you a lot.
take care

From my view point this lesson is very clear.

Thanks Ms Rebecca, I got 80%.
You are a great teacher.

Being able to work with children is one of the greatest

s of this job.
1.
I am happy because I have found such a “job” where I can listen to my children and deal with them too.
I can adjust the growing of my children to my job, working hours.
2.
My job is that I have to look after children, take care of them.
Since I love children and dealing with them, now I am happy, and I think it is a good job.

-Lévén, hogy gyerekkel (vagy a gyerekek mellett?)
dolgozni lehet ez ennek a munkának az egyik legnagyszerűbb megnyugvása/öröme (amit okoz).

We can look back with

on our work well done.
=
1. Now we can look our goog work and it fulfil us with satisfaction.
(We have finished the work and now we can enjoy its “result”.)
2. If one works hard, he/she/they will look his/her/their work to be successful.
(Anybody who does his work hard and well, he will look back with satisfaction.)