English - Lesson 29 of 139: Opinions

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

What do you think about ___?

Ask for someone's opinion

Meaning: Ask for someone’s opinion.

When to use: Use this when you want to know another person’s idea about a topic, plan, or choice.

Tip: Use “about” after “think” here: “What do you think about the plan?”

What do you think about the new schedule?

Ask someone’s opinion about a schedule.

What do you think about working from home on Fridays?

Ask someone’s opinion about a work idea.

How do you feel about ___?

Ask for a personal view

Meaning: Ask for a personal view or feeling.

When to use: Use this when the topic may be personal, emotional, or connected to comfort and preference.

How do you feel about moving the meeting to Monday?

Ask for a personal reaction to a meeting change.

How do you feel about eating outside tonight?

Ask for someone’s personal preference.

I think ___ is a good idea.

State a personal opinion

Meaning: State a positive opinion.

When to use: Use this when you support a plan, suggestion, or option.

Tip: After “I think,” use a full idea: “I think this plan is a good idea.”

I think taking a short break is a good idea.

Say you support taking a break.

I think the online meeting is a good idea.

Say you support an online meeting.

In my opinion, ___ is better.

Give an opinion with humility

Meaning: Give a comparison as your personal opinion.

When to use: Use this when you compare two choices and want to sound polite, not too forceful.

In my opinion, the earlier train is better.

Say one train option is better.

In my opinion, this design is better.

Compare two designs politely.

I guess ___ is okay.

Soften an opinion

Meaning: Soften an opinion or sound unsure.

When to use: Use this when something is acceptable, but you are not very excited about it.

I guess the small room is okay.

Say the small room is acceptable, but not perfect.

I guess pizza is okay for lunch.

Accept pizza in a mild way.

I'd rather ___.

Express preference between options

Meaning: Express what you prefer to do.

When to use: Use this when choosing between actions, like go, stay, eat, call, or wait.

Tip: Use the base verb after “rather”: “I’d rather stay,” not “I’d rather to stay.”

I'd rather walk than take the bus.

Say you prefer walking.

I'd rather talk tomorrow.

Say you prefer to talk later.

I agree with you about ___.

Agree with an opinion

Meaning: Agree with someone about a topic.

When to use: Use this when another person says an opinion and you share the same view.

I agree with you about the budget.

Say you share the same opinion about the budget.

I agree with you about choosing the quiet café.

Say you also prefer the quiet café.

I'm not sure I agree.

Disagree politely

Meaning: Disagree politely.

When to use: Use this when you do not share the same opinion, but you want to stay friendly.

I'm not sure I agree.

Politely say you disagree.

I'm not sure I agree. The first option may be too expensive.

Disagree and give a reason.

I see your point, but ___.

Partially agree

Meaning: Partly agree, then add a different opinion.

When to use: Use this when the other person has a good point, but you want to add another view.

I see your point, but we need more time.

Acknowledge the other view, then add a concern.

I see your point, but the cheaper option may be risky.

Partly agree and explain a different concern.

The way I see it, ___.

give a personal viewpoint

Meaning: Give your personal viewpoint.

When to use: Use this before your opinion when you want to explain how you see the situation.

The way I see it, we should ask the whole team first.

Give your view about what the team should do.

The way I see it, the simple design is best.

Give your personal view about a design.

From my point of view, ___.

give a personal viewpoint

Meaning: Give your personal viewpoint in a clear way.

When to use: Use this in discussions when you want to show that this is your view, not a fact everyone must accept.

From my point of view, the deadline is too soon.

Give your view about a deadline.

From my point of view, the second apartment is better.

Give your view when comparing apartments.

I would say that ___.

soften an opinion before stating it

Meaning: Soften your opinion before saying it.

When to use: Use this when you want to sound careful, polite, or not too strong.

I would say that the plan needs more details.

Give a careful opinion about a plan.

I would say that this restaurant is a little expensive.

Give a polite opinion about a restaurant.

___ seems reasonable to me.

express a moderate positive opinion

Meaning: Express a moderate positive opinion.

When to use: Use this when something sounds fair, sensible, or acceptable to you.

The new schedule seems reasonable to me.

Say the schedule sounds fair.

Waiting until Friday seems reasonable to me.

Say waiting is an acceptable plan.

English - Opinions

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase asks for someone’s opinion about a topic?

Which phrase politely shows disagreement?

Which phrase compares two choices as a personal opinion?

Which phrase expresses a preferred action?

Anna asks for David’s personal view about working from home on Fridays.

David says he prefers to walk to the station.

David partly agrees that the meeting is long, but says they need more time.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice