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Lesson 158 of 240

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What do you think in English

Ana is downtown with Marcus. They are looking at a small library project, and he wants her view of the old windows.

He asks what she thinks. She starts with a careful opinion, then she says it more clearly.

You'll ask for someone's view, and you'll give your own. You can say you like a plan, or that you don't.

I'd rather helps you say which choice you prefer.

By the end of this lesson

Ask someone what they think, and give your own opinion.

  • What do you think about ___?Please tell me your view of ___.
  • How do you feel about this?Do you like this, or not?
  • I think ___ is a good idea.I like this plan: ___.
  • In my opinion, this is better.I personally like this one more.
  • I'd rather keep the old windows.I would prefer not to change the windows.
  • I don't think that's a good idea.I do not like that plan.

Scene — the old windows

The architecture studio downtown is quiet. Marcus has rolled drawings on the long desk, and the old library windows are on the page.

Ana sits across from him with her teal tote at her feet. He wants the plan in plain words, and he hates a long meeting.

Ana and Marcus sit across the long studio desk with rolled drawings and a window sketch between them.

Learn — ask and give a view

Six lines help you ask for a view and give your own.

You'll hear I think, in my opinion, and I'd rather.

  1. Marcus opens a hand toward the window drawing as he asks Ana for her view.

    What do you think about ___?

    Please tell me your view of ___.

    When to use it: Ask this when you want someone's view of a plan or thing.

    The words after about name the thing you are asking about.

    Say it: The th in think is the same as in thank.

  2. Ana points to the sketch that keeps the old windows and looks to Marcus for his reaction.

    How do you feel about this?

    Do you like this, or not?

    When to use it: Ask this about a plan that is in front of you now.

    This can ask for someone's view of a plan, not just their feelings.

    Say it: Feel and about can link in fast talk.

  3. Marcus taps the sketch with replacement windows while Ana considers it.

    I think ___ is a good idea.

    I like this plan: ___.

    When to use it: Say this when you like a plan and want to say so.

    Put the plan in the blank between think and is.

  4. Ana slides the old-window drawing over the replacement plan to show her preference.

    In my opinion, this is better.

    I personally like this one more.

    When to use it: Use this to give a careful, polite view.

    In my opinion makes it clear that this is your own view.

    Say it: The stress in opinion is on the second part.

  5. Ana rests a hand on the old-window drawing and glances toward the studio’s tall windows.

    I'd rather keep the old windows.

    I would prefer not to change the windows.

    When to use it: Say this when you prefer to leave the old windows in place.

    I'd is I would, said as one piece.

  6. Marcus considers the alternate window plan while Ana remains beside her preferred drawing.

    I don't think that's a good idea.

    I do not like that plan.

    When to use it: Say this when you do not like a plan.

    Don't is do not, said as one piece.

    Say it: Stress don't to make your negative opinion clear.

Story — a careful view

Watch Ana and Marcus talk about the old library windows. She is careful first, then she is clear.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. The studio is quiet. Marcus unrolls a drawing of the old library.
  2. MarcusLet's keep it to thirty minutes.Let's make the meeting short.
  3. AnaGot it.I understand.
  4. He taps the page. Two sketches show different window choices.
  5. MarcusSo, what do you think about keeping the old windows?He asks whether Ana likes the plan to keep the windows.
  6. She points at the sketch that keeps them.
  7. AnaIn my opinion, this is better.I personally like this one more.
  8. He slides the sketch with new windows across the desk.
  9. MarcusHow do you feel about this?Do you like this, or not?
  10. AnaI don't think that's a good idea.I do not like that plan.
  11. MarcusThe old ones let in cold air, though. People may want new ones.He thinks people may want different windows because the old ones let in cold air.
  12. AnaI'd rather keep the old windows. We could fix them.She prefers to repair the windows instead of replacing them.
  13. MarcusLast week, we talked about keeping them. How did you feel about it?He asks what Ana thought of keeping the windows last week.
  14. AnaLast week, I thought we needed new ones. Now I think keeping them is a good idea.She wanted new windows last week, but now she likes keeping them.
  15. MarcusPut your reasons in three sentences.He wants a short note explaining her choice.
  16. AnaI can do that.She says she can write the short note.

Practice — your opinion

Eleven short exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, build, and fill a gap.

They stay small, so you can move fast.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    English

    What do you think about ___?Drop the Simple English here
    How do you feel about this?Drop the Simple English here
    I think ___ is a good idea.Drop the Simple English here
    In my opinion, this is better.Drop the Simple English here
    I don't think that's a good idea.Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

    Drag a Simple English line onto its English, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    Marcus wants new windows. Tell him clearly that you prefer to keep the old ones.

  4. What does it mean?

    How do you feel about this?

  5. Fill the gap

    I like this plan: ___.

    I think ___ is a ____ idea.

  6. Build the line

    I personally like this one more.

    , .

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Pick the reply

    Marcus says:

    What do you think about replacing the windows?

    He asks for your view of getting new windows.

    And you reply with:

  8. Swap the word

    You do not like Marcus's plan to replace the windows.

    I don't think that's a ____ idea.

  9. True or false?

    This line asks for a meeting that lasts half an hour.

  10. What do you say?

    A friend told you about a concert last weekend. You ask about that past feeling.

  11. Pick the reply

    Marcus says:

    The meeting is at three. Please tell me you've understood.

    He gives the meeting time and asks you to show that you understand.

    And you reply with:

Say it — say your view

Now you're Ana in the studio. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

For a line with a blank, add words about the library plan so your sentence is complete.

  1. MarcusHere's the sketch with new windows.He shows the plan to replace the windows.
  2. Ana (you)Ask for his view of the sketch in front of you.

    How do you feel about this?

    Do you like this, or not?

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
What do you think about ___?Please tell me your view of ___.
How do you feel about this?Do you like this, or not?
I think ___ is a good idea.I like this plan: ___.
In my opinion, this is better.I personally like this one more.
I'd rather keep the old windows.I would prefer not to change the windows.
I don't think that's a good idea.I do not like that plan.
Next: lesson 159Mixed feelings

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