Expressing Opinions

The frames I think and I believe have the structure subject + verb. You can put that after them, or leave it out: the meaning is the same. In conversation, people more often speak without that.

I think is common in everyday conversation. I believe may sound more formal or emphasise conviction; the strength of the confidence also depends on context and intonation.

The phrase In my opinion always uses the preposition in. The alternatives on my opinion, at my opinion, and by my opinion are common mistakes.

At the beginning, In my opinion is usually separated by a comma. It is a familiar phrase for expressing your own evaluation. According to usually refers to a source of information, so choose In my opinion for a simple personal opinion.

The frame only introduces the opinion. The sentence that follows it is built like a regular affirmative sentence: subject, then verb (often is or are), then the rest. The word order does not change as it does in a question.

In the pattern think + complete sentence, be is needed before an adjective: I think this idea is good. There is also the formal construction think + object + adjective, but here we are practising the simpler pattern with a complete sentence.

To say “I don't think that…”, put the negation in the frame: I don't think. The sentence after it remains affirmative: I don't think the restaurant is cheap. You can also say I think the restaurant isn't cheap, but in this rule we are learning the form I don't think: the negation is in the frame.

This sounds softer than a direct negative statement. A double negative (I don't think … isn't) changes the meaning, so avoid it.

Think about + a noun means “consider or reflect on something”: I think about my holiday. There is no evaluation here; there is only the subject of the thought.

Compare “I think about my holiday” and “I think my holiday was wonderful.” For the second meaning, say I think (that) my holiday was wonderful, without about before this sentence.

The frame shows your position. To explain it, you can add a reason with because or use a separate sentence.

The frame is not necessary every time: you can state a fact without it (The shop closes at nine). But for evaluations such as good, boring, and expensive, the frame makes the language more polite.

Here we are learning how to express your own opinion. Questions such as What do you think? and answers such as “I agree / I disagree” belong to related rules in this topic.

I think can be used both with evaluations and with assumptions about facts that can be checked. The frame does not change whether the statement is true; it shows how the speaker presents it.

Disagreement can take different forms. I don’t agree clearly states that you have another opinion. I don’t think so is a short response to an opinion or question. I’m not sure about that expresses doubt and is the softest of these options.

You can add a reason to make your position easier to understand. It helps the conversation, but neither guarantees agreement nor forms a compulsory part of the reply.

I’m not so sure (about that) also expresses doubt. I totally disagree emphasises strong disagreement, while Absolutely not is a firm rejection. Strength and politeness depend on context and intonation; I’m not sure about that is a useful opening for softer disagreement.

Agree is itself a verb: I agree, you agree, she agrees. Do not transfer an adjective pattern from another language into I am agree; no auxiliary be is needed before agree here.

Form negatives with do: I don’t agree, she doesn’t agree. I’m not agree is incorrect. To name the person or opinion, use agree with: I agree with Kate, I agree with her idea.

Agree to occurs with a different meaning: accepting a proposal or condition. This lesson concerns sharing an opinion, so with is needed.

Saying no directly can sometimes sound too abrupt. First acknowledge the other person’s point, then return to your own: I see your point, but... or That’s true, but....

The response has two steps: a concession and a contrasting response. But marks the turn; a reason or your opinion usually follows it.

I see what you mean, but... works similarly to I see your point, but....

A reason can make the response more persuasive. I see what you mean, but I don’t agree is polite but gives little explanation, so adding why is helpful.

Before replying, ask whether you fully agree, partly agree, have doubts or disagree. Full agreement: I agree, That’s true, You’re right. Partial agreement: I see your point, but.... Doubt: I’m not sure about that. Direct disagreement: I don’t agree, I don’t think so.

You’re wrong is grammatical but can sound abrupt. For softer disagreement, choose I don’t agree or I’m not sure about that and add a reason if useful.

Tone also depends on the situation: a friend may need only a short reply, while a business chat often benefits from a reason and respectful wording.

This lesson concerns responses to someone else’s opinion. Expressing your own view with I think or In my opinion, and asking What do you think?, are separate topics.

A response can also include I think, for example after but. The main purpose is then to show your reaction to what was said: support, doubt or disagreement.

This is a very common pattern. After what, put auxiliary do, then subject you and verb think: What do you think? Add the topic after about or of: What do you think about the plan? / What do you think of the plan?

Leave out the topic when everyone knows what you mean: What do you think? People often ask this immediately after giving their own view or showing someone something.

Keep do before you in the question: What do you think, rather than What you think.

Opinion means a person’s view. This question consists of what’s (what is), possessive your, noun opinion and a preposition introducing the topic: on, of or about. There is no verb think, so auxiliary do is not needed.

Similar requests include What’s your view on…? and Do you have an opinion about…? These can sound slightly more formal than What do you think…? and suit workplace discussions or conversations with a manager.

Notice where is goes: before your opinion in the direct question, as in What’s your opinion…, rather than What your opinion is.

Do you agree? checks agreement with what has just been said. Add a person with with (Do you agree with Olga?) or a statement with that (Do you agree that the exam was hard?).

Agree is a verb in its own right, so form this question with do. Are you agree…? is not the correct pattern.

Do you think (that)…? checks whether someone holds a particular view. The following clause uses statement order, with the subject before the verb: Do you think the bus is full?

A Ukrainian expression for asking someone’s opinion can be misleading if translated word for word as How do you think…? English how asks about a way or method. To request an assessment, use What do you think…? or a yes/no question with Do you think…?

Distinguish Do you think about the plan? from What do you think about the plan? The first asks whether someone considers the plan; a yes/no answer need not assess it. The second requests an assessment: “It’s good”, “It’s too long” or “I like it”.

Both questions are grammatical. Choose according to your purpose: asking for an assessment, or asking whether someone thinks about a topic at all.

An open question (What do you think…?, What’s your opinion…?) invites someone to explain their view in their own words. A yes/no question (Do you agree…?, Do you think…?) checks a position quickly. Choose an open question for an explanation or a yes/no question to check agreement; either can lead to discussion.

To invite a particular person, use their name: Dan, what do you think about the plan? For a more formal tone, try Could I ask for your opinion on…? Ordinary What do you think…? also suits many workplace conversations.

After giving your own view, invite someone else in: I like the red one. What about you? or What do you think? A neutral question leaves more room for an answer: Do you think the rule is fair? is less leading than Don’t you think the rule is unfair?

Briefly give your own view, then invite someone to speak: I think the route is too long. What do you think?

After someone answers, ask for their reason with Why do you think so?