Speaking: Expressing Opinion, Giving Reasons, Justifying & E

Speaking:

Expressing Opinion, Giving Reasons, Justifying & Elaborating

When we are negotiating, expressing opinions or simply chatting with a friend, we often have to agree or disagree with the other person. Also, we don’t want to make a fight out of this, so we must know how to show empathy with different opinions and also disagree without sounding aggressive.

Poll

Do you know what 'empathy' means?

• No

• Yes

• I think so

Empathy

is a noun that refers to the ability to understand and feel what someone else is feeling, or see the situation from their point of view.

It is very difficult to convince when they think you are attacking. We need to express our opinions and, at the same time, show that we are listening, understanding and appreciating the other opinions.

If they feel comfortable, they will be more open to our ideas, opinions or suggestions. Here are different ways of doing so in a conversation.

Tip: It is always a good idea to justify your opinions. Don’t just say 'I agree' or 'I disagree', but say 'I agree because I think that ... (explain your reason)', etc.

Use the lists given as a reference, don't try to memorize them. Practise dialogues with your friend and try to use them, you will slowly get familiar with them.

This is a very important soft skill for your future undertakings.

Express Opinions

• Personal

• General

Personal

• In my opinion...

•  In my experience...

• Speaking for myself...

• Personally, I think...

•  I (strongly) believe that...

• I really feel that...

• If you ask me...

General

• Some people say that...

• Many/Most people think/believe that...

•  Everybody knows that...

• The thing is that...

• The point is that...

Checking if the listener has understood

• Do you know what I mean?

• Does it make sense?

•  I hope I’m explaining it correctly.

• Do you understand?

Ensuring & Enhancing Understanding

• What I mean is...     

• What I meant was...

• What I’m trying to say is that...

• 
  

Asking for an Opinion

• What’s your idea (on...)?

• What do you think about it?

• Have you got an opinion about it?

• How do you feel about it?

• Do you have anything to say about it?

• Do you agree with my opinion?

• What about you? What's your take on it?

Agreeing

• Of course

• You’re absolutely right

• Yes, I agree.

• I think so too.

• That’s a (very) good point.

• Oh yes, that’s right!

• Exactly!

• I don’t think so either...

• That’s true.

• That’s just what I was thinking.

• I couldn’t agree more!

•  That’s exactly what I think

•  I think you’re right.

• That’s true.

• I hear you.

• Yes, me too / me neither.

Agreeing Strongly

• Oh yeah, you said it!

• But of course!

• Who can disagree with that?

• Now you’re talking!

• Yes, yes, that’s the point!

• I totally agree with you!

• You’re so very right!

• You read my mind!

Disagreeing

• I see, but that’s different.

• I'm sorry, I don’t agree with you.

• I'm sorry, but I don’t see it that way.

• Unfortunately, that’s not entirely true.

• That’s partly true but...

•  I see your point but...

• I’m sorry to disagree with you but...

• Yes, but don’t you think...?

• I think that’s not the same thing at all.

• On the contrary...

• Well, I’m not so sure about that.

• Sorry, I think that’s wrong.

• Yeah, but the problem is that...

• Well, I think it’s not as simple as that.

Showing Empathy Before Disagreeing

• Yes, I agree with you but...

•  I can see your point, but...

• That’s very true, but...

• Of course, you’re right, but...

• I know what you mean but...

• I can understand that but...

• I partly agree, but...

• Yeah, that’s true, but on the other hand...

• You could be right but I think that...

• You are probably right but..

Protesting Politely

• That’s not what I mean/said.

• No, what I’m trying to say is that...

• I'm sorry, you got me wrong.

• I’m probably not making myself very clear.

• That’s not exactly what I was trying to say.

The Usage of the Word 'Actually' in Disagreeing Politely

This word is very important, and very common, when you want to disagree politely or when you want to correct without offending. For example...

Putri:

"We are having another lockdown! How horrible! I'm getting bored being stuck here in college!"

Syimah:

"Well, actually, I think it's a good idea.. We can focus more on improving our lessons."

Nun:

"I can't wait for the Minister of Health, Dato' Sri Dr. Adham bin Baba to inform us on how many new cases there would be today."

Finn:

"Well, actually, it is the Director-General of Health, Tan Sri Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah, not the minister.

Now let us do a simple practice

Watch the video given and follow the instructions in it.

Hopefully you were able to pronounce the words properly. Now let us answer some questions based on what you have watched.

Checking Your Understanding:

True or False

Multiple Choice

1. Gemma and Jack both had good holidays.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

2. Jack enjoyed his French lesson.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

3. Gemma thinks Madame Martin is a good teacher.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

4. Jack doesn't like speaking French.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

5. Jack is happy with his Maths teacher.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

6. Jack hates Mr. Greenwood.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

7. Jack changes his mind about Mr. Greenwood when he talks to Gemma.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

8. Jack and Gemma both like Miss McCloud.

• True

• False

Check Your Understanding:

Multiple Selection

Identify the appropriate responses to each statement.

Multiple Select

1. How was your summer holiday?

• Yeah, definitely.

• Good, thanks.

• Mmm, it was all right.

• Not really.

• Awful.

Multiple Select

2. He's my favourite.

• Yeah! I like him too!

• When?

• Really?!

• Me neither.

Multiple Select

3. She's strict but you learn loads in her classes.

• Why not?

• Yeah, I see your point.

• That's true.

• Let's agree.

Multiple Select

4. Miss McCloud's a brilliant teacher.

• I know! I lover her!

• It was awful.

• Don't worry

• Yes, she is!

Discussion

Who was your favourite teacher in school? Tell us your opinion.

Prepare to present in class.

Now exercise your understanding by expressing your opinions on the TikTok videos made by your fellow friends.

References:

https://multimedia-english.com/grammar/expressing-opinions-57

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/speakingskills