English - Opinions

Lesson 30 of 139

Two coworkers having a friendly discussion about choices, representing English learning for opinions and polite disagreement.

Goal: Share your view, ask for reasons, and disagree politely.

Free English lessons with audio, guided practice, and speaking support.

Opinion time! Today you’ll practice friendly phrases for saying yes, no, maybe, and “tell me more.” No need to win the debate—just keep the conversation moving.

Level B1: In this lesson, you’ll practice natural chunks for giving opinions and asking for other people’s views. You’ll learn to say you are in favor of something, against something, unsure, or leaning toward one choice. You’ll also use polite follow-up phrases like “What makes you say that?” and “That’s a fair point.”

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Express support, opposition, and mixed opinions clearly.
  • Ask another person for their opinion or explanation.
  • Use polite responses to show balance and respect in a discussion.
  • At B1, sound more natural when comparing choices and giving tentative opinions.
A café table with notes showing pros and cons, introducing English phrases for sharing opinions.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

I'm in favor of ___.

express support for an idea

Meaning: Use this to say you support an idea or plan.

When to use: Use it when you think something is a good idea: “I’m in favor of flexible hours.” Examples: “I’m in favor of working from home two days a week.” “I’m in favor of shorter meetings.”

Tip: After “of,” use a noun or -ing form: “I’m in favor of working from home,” not “in favor of work from home.”

I'm in favor of working from home two days a week.
I support this idea.
I'm in favor of shorter meetings.
I think shorter meetings are a good idea.

I'm against ___.

express opposition to an idea

Meaning: Use this to say you do not support an idea or plan.

When to use: Use it when you think something is a bad idea: “I’m against extra fees.” Examples: “I’m against raising the price right now.” “I’m against late-night meetings.”

Tip: Do not say “against to.” Say “I’m against the plan” or “I’m against changing the plan.”

I'm against raising the price right now.
I do not support raising the price now.
I'm against late-night meetings.
I do not think late-night meetings are a good idea.

I have mixed feelings about ___.

express uncertainty or mixed evaluation

Meaning: Use this when you see good and bad points, so your opinion is not simple.

When to use: Use it when you are unsure or your opinion is balanced. Examples: “I have mixed feelings about the new schedule.” “I have mixed feelings about using AI for all customer messages.”

I have mixed feelings about the new schedule.
I see both good and bad things about the schedule.
I have mixed feelings about using AI for all customer messages.
I am not completely sure it is good or bad.

What makes you say that?

ask someone to explain their opinion

Meaning: Use this to ask someone to explain their opinion.

When to use: Use it after someone gives an opinion and you want to understand the reason. Examples: “I’m not sure the app is useful.” “What makes you say that?” “The new plan may be risky.” “What makes you say that?”

“I’m not sure the app is useful.” “What makes you say that?”
The second speaker asks for the reason.
“The new plan may be risky.” “What makes you say that?”
The second speaker wants an explanation.

What's your take on ___?

Ask for someone's opinion in an informal way

Meaning: Use this to ask for someone’s opinion in a natural, informal way.

When to use: Use it with topics, plans, products, or choices. Examples: “What’s your take on the new design?” “What’s your take on online classes?”

What's your take on the new design?
What is your opinion about the new design?
What's your take on online classes?
What do you think about online classes?

Would you say ___ is worth it?

Ask someone to judge value or usefulness

Meaning: Use this to ask if something has enough value for the time, money, or effort.

When to use: Use it when you are deciding whether to buy, do, or try something. Examples: “Would you say the premium plan is worth it?” “Would you say traveling by train is worth it?”

Would you say the premium plan is worth it?
Do you think the premium plan gives enough value?
Would you say traveling by train is worth it?
Do you think the train is a good choice for the cost or time?

I'm leaning toward ___.

Express a tentative preference or developing opinion

Meaning: Use this to show your current preference, but not as a final decision.

When to use: Use it when you are close to choosing one option. Examples: “I’m leaning toward the cheaper option.” “I’m leaning toward staying in the city.”

I'm leaning toward the cheaper option.
Right now, I prefer the cheaper option.
I'm leaning toward staying in the city.
I am starting to prefer staying in the city.

I can see both sides.

Show balanced consideration of two opinions

Meaning: Use this to show you understand two different opinions.

When to use: Use it when both sides have good reasons. Examples: “I can see both sides.” “I can see both sides, but I need more information.”

I can see both sides.
I understand the reasons for both opinions.
I can see both sides, but I need more information.
I understand both views, but I am not ready to decide.

That's a fair point.

Acknowledge that another person's opinion is reasonable

Meaning: Use this to show that another person’s idea is reasonable.

When to use: Use it when you partly agree or want to be respectful before giving your view. Examples: “That’s a fair point.” “That’s a fair point, but I’m still worried about the cost.”

That's a fair point.
Your point is reasonable.
That's a fair point, but I'm still worried about the cost.
I respect your point, but I have another concern.

If you ask me, ___ is probably the best choice.

Expressing a tentative opinion

Meaning: Use this to give your personal opinion about the best choice.

When to use: Use it when you want to sound friendly and not too forceful. Examples: “If you ask me, the small hotel is probably the best choice.” “If you ask me, the morning class is probably the best choice.”

Tip: Remember the comma after the opening phrase in writing: “If you ask me, …”

If you ask me, the small hotel is probably the best choice.
In my opinion, the small hotel is the best option.
If you ask me, the morning class is probably the best choice.
I think the morning class is the best option.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David are choosing a new schedule for their team.

Anna and David talking calmly about a workplace decision, using English opinion phrases in conversation.

What are Anna and David mainly discussing?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

What's your take on starting work one hour later?

Anna asks David for his opinion about a later start time.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

I have mixed feelings about it. It might help parents, but meetings with other teams could be harder.

David is not completely sure because there are good and bad points.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

That's a fair point. I'm in favor of trying it for one month.

Anna respects David’s idea and supports a short trial.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

What makes you say that?

David asks Anna to explain her reason.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

People seem tired in the morning, and a trial is low risk.

Anna gives her reason.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

I can see both sides. I'm leaning toward a short trial too.

David understands both views and is starting to prefer a trial.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase shows support for an idea?

You want to ask someone for their opinion in a casual way. What can you say?

Which phrase is best when you are not fully sure and see good and bad points?

Someone says, “The new plan is risky.” You want to ask for their reason. What should you say?

Anna: The bus is slower, but it is much cheaper than a taxi. David: I can see the benefits. I'm leaning toward taking the bus.

Anna: The bus is slower, but it is much cheaper than a taxi. David: I can see the benefits. ___ taking the bus.

David: I think the office should close earlier on Fridays. Anna: I have mixed feelings about that. It could help people rest, but we still need to serve customers.

David: I think the office should close earlier on Fridays. Anna: ___ It could help people rest, but we still need to serve customers.

Anna: The online course costs $200, but it includes live feedback. David: Would you say the online course is worth it?

Anna: The online course costs $200, but it includes live feedback. David: ___ the online course is worth it?

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

I'm in favor of ___.

express support for an idea

Say this phrase out loud:

I'm against ___.

express opposition to an idea

Say this phrase out loud:

I have mixed feelings about ___.

express uncertainty or mixed evaluation

Say this phrase out loud:

What makes you say that?

ask someone to explain their opinion

Say this phrase out loud:

What's your take on ___?

ask for someone's opinion in an informal way

Say this phrase out loud:

Would you say ___ is worth it?

ask someone to judge value or usefulness

Say this phrase out loud:

I'm leaning toward ___.

express a tentative preference or developing opinion

Say this phrase out loud:

I can see both sides.

show balanced consideration of two opinions

Say this phrase out loud:

That's a fair point.

acknowledge that another person's opinion is reasonable

Say this phrase out loud:

If you ask me, ___ is probably the best choice.

express a tentative personal opinion