Discussing

Expressing Opinion

Poll

How do you consider yourself expressing your opinions?

• Outstanding

• Can't complain

• I try not to touch any topic

• Really bad!

Open Ended

What was the last heated argument/debate you had about?

We use "Functional language" to perform various "functions" such as giving advice or apologizing. Functional language typically uses fixed expressions for each function

In this case, We're going to practice some Functional Language to Give or Express opinion

How can we do it?

Expressing Opinion

I (really) think that …

I believe (that) …

I’m sure that …

In my opinion / My opinion is …

I agree with …

I feel that …

I guess/imagine …

I have no doubt that / I’m certain that …

I strongly believe that …

I’ve never really thought about this before, but …

My personal opinion is that / Personally,

I’m pretty sure that …

It seems to me that …

It’s a complicated/difficult issue, but …

My (point of) view (on this) is …

Obviously, …

This is just my opinion, but …

Without a doubt, …

You probably won’t agree, but …

my opinion is that …

To be honest / In my honest opinion, …

As far as I know, …

I agree with the opinion of …

I could be wrong, but …

I’d definitely say that …

I’d say that …

I’m absolutely certain that …

I’m fairly confident that …

I’m no expert (on this), but …

I’m positive that …

Expressing Opinion

After much thought, …

After weighing up both sides of the argument, …

Although I can see both points of view / Although I can understand the opposite point of view, …

As I see it, ...

Correct me if I’m wrong, but …

For me/ From my point of view, …

Frankly, …

I am not very familiar with this topic, but …

I do believe/ feel/think …

I have come to the conclusion that …

I might change my mind later, but …

I reckon/suppose …

I tend to think that …

I’m pretty confident that …

I’ve always thought that …

If you ask me, …

I'm (absolutely) convinced that …

In my humble opinion / IMHO, …

It could be said that …

It seems clear to me that …

Multiple Choice

Which expression is used to indicate a high level of certainty?

• I (really) think that

• I guess/imagine

• I’m sure that

• I feel that

Multiple Choice

Which expression is used to indicate that the speaker has not previously considered the topic?

• I’ve never really thought about this before, but

• My personal opinion is that

• I feel that

• I'm certain that

Multiple Choice

Which expression is used to indicate agreement with someone else’s opinion?

• I believe (that)

• My personal opinion is that

• in my opinion

• I agree with

Multiple Choice

Which phrase can be used to introduce a personal perspective?

• To be honest / In my honest opinion...

• It's a complicated/difficult issue, but...

• My opinion is that...

• I'm afraid that...

Multiple Choice

Which phrase can you use to express your uncertainty or lack of opinion?

• After weighing up both sides of the argument

• I'm sure that

• My opinion is that

• I guess/imagine

Multiple Choice

Which phrase can you use to express your belief or feeling about a topic?

• Although I can understand the opposite point of view

• I believe

• I have no doubt that

• My personal opinion is that

Multiple Choice

Which phrase can you use to express your lack of familiarity with a topic?

• I'm sure that

• As I see it

• I am not very familiar with this topic, but

• I strongly believe that

Multiple Choice

Which phrase can you use to express your understanding of the opposite point of view?

• After much thought

• Although I can see both points of view

• Correct me if I'm wrong, but

• I have no doubt that

Multiple Choice

Which phrase can you use to emphasize your confidence in your opinion?

• I have no doubt that

• I'm sure that

• Correct me if I'm wrong, but

• My personal opinion is that

Multiple Choice

Which phrase can be used to introduce an honest opinion?

• Obviously, ...

• It seems to me that ...

• You probably won't agree, but...

• This is just my opinion, but ...

Open Ended

Choose one of the topics below and write a short opinion paragraph about it. (MINIMUM: 50 WORDS)

a) The efficiency of the public transport system in your town.

b) The best ways for people and governments to deal with the financial crisis.

c) The advantages/disadvantages of debating.