Word list · Teens & Adults
Phrases for Giving Opinions in English
Give a view, agree, push back politely and keep a discussion moving.
- Age
- Ages 13+
- Level
- B1–C1
- Skill
- Vocabulary
- Format
- Interactive
- Writing & discussion
- 25 words
Practise
Three ways to learn the list. Nothing is saved: start again whenever you like.
0 of 25 learned
In my opinion,…
phrase
The list
Tap the speaker to hear each word.
In my opinion,…
phrase · B1
used to say what you think
In my opinion, public transport should be free for students.
As far as I'm concerned,…
phrase · B2
used to give your personal opinion, often strongly
As far as I'm concerned, the meeting was a complete waste of time.
I see your point, but…
phrase · B1
used to show you understand someone's idea before you disagree
I see your point, but I still think it's too risky.
I couldn't agree more
phrase · B2
used to say you agree completely
I couldn't agree more. We really need more green spaces in the city.
That's a good point
phrase · B1
used to say someone has said something sensible or important
That's a good point. I hadn't thought about the cost.
I'm not so sure about that
phrase · B1
a polite way to show you disagree
I'm not so sure about that. Lots of people still prefer printed books.
To be honest,…
phrase · B1
used before saying what you really think, especially something negative
To be honest, I didn't enjoy the film very much.
It seems to me that…
phrase · B2
a soft way to give your opinion
It seems to me that people work longer hours than they used to.
Let's look at it another way
phrase · B2
used to suggest thinking about a problem differently
Let's look at it another way: what would our customers want?
What do you think about…?
phrase · B1
used to ask for someone's opinion
What do you think about working from home?
Sorry to interrupt, but…
phrase · B2
a polite way to start speaking while someone else is talking
Sorry to interrupt, but can I add something here?
If I could just finish…
phrase · C1
a polite way to stop someone interrupting you
If I could just finish my point, then you can reply.
On balance,…
phrase · C1
after thinking about all the facts and arguments
On balance, I think the advantages are greater than the disadvantages.
I'm in favour of…
phrase · B2
used to say you support a plan or idea
I'm in favour of a four-day working week.
I'm against…
phrase · B1
used to say you do not support a plan or idea
I'm against banning phones in schools completely.
That's not entirely true
phrase · B2
a polite way to say someone is partly wrong
That's not entirely true. Some electric cars are quite cheap now.
You've got a point there
phrase · B2
used to accept that part of someone's argument is right
You've got a point there. It would save us a lot of money.
I'd go along with that
phrase · C1
(informal) used to say you accept or agree with an idea
I'd go along with that, as long as everyone gets a say.
What I mean is…
phrase · B2
used to explain more clearly what you said
What I mean is, we need a clear plan before we spend any money.
Could you explain what you mean by…?
phrase · B2
used to ask someone to make their idea clearer
Could you explain what you mean by 'flexible hours'?
It depends on…
phrase · B1
used to say the answer changes with the situation
Should we take the train? It depends on how much time we have.
There's no doubt that…
phrase · B2
used to say you are completely sure
There's no doubt that technology has changed the way we work.
I have mixed feelings about…
phrase · B2
used to say you see both good and bad sides
I have mixed feelings about social media: it's useful but addictive.
Let's agree to disagree
phrase · B2
used to end an argument when neither person will change their mind
We're never going to agree on this, so let's agree to disagree.
To play devil's advocate,…
phrase · C1
used before arguing the opposite side, just to test an idea
Just to play devil's advocate, what if the new rule makes things worse?
Use it: speaking task
For pairs or small groups, about ten minutes.
Mini-debate in groups of three or four. Choose a statement. Each person gives an opinion, then responds to someone else's. Use a different phrase from the list every time you speak; one person keeps score of the phrases used.
- Everyone should learn to cook at school.
- A four-day working week would be better for everyone.
- Phones should be banned in restaurants.
- Tourism does more harm than good to popular cities.
- Online friends can be as close as real-life friends.
Printable worksheet
One page of matching and gap-fill, the speaking task, and an answer key on a separate page.
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Name: ______________________ Date: ____________
A. Match each word with its meaning.
- 1. In my opinion,… ____
- 2. I see your point, but… ____
- 3. That's a good point ____
- 4. To be honest,… ____
- 5. Let's look at it another way ____
- 6. Sorry to interrupt, but… ____
- 7. On balance,… ____
- 8. I'm against… ____
- 9. You've got a point there ____
- 10. What I mean is… ____
- a) a polite way to start speaking while someone else is talking
- b) used to explain more clearly what you said
- c) used to say what you think
- d) used before saying what you really think, especially something negative
- e) used to suggest thinking about a problem differently
- f) used to accept that part of someone's argument is right
- g) used to show you understand someone's idea before you disagree
- h) used to say someone has said something sensible or important
- i) after thinking about all the facts and arguments
- j) used to say you do not support a plan or idea
B. Complete the sentences with words from the box.
As far as I'm concerned · Could you explain what you mean by · I couldn't agree more · I'd go along with that · I'm in favour of · I'm not so sure about that · If I could just finish · It seems to me that · That's not entirely true · What do you think about
- 1. , the meeting was a complete waste of time.
- 2. . We really need more green spaces in the city.
- 3. . Lots of people still prefer printed books.
- 4. people work longer hours than they used to.
- 5. working from home?
- 6. my point, then you can reply.
- 7. a four-day working week.
- 8. . Some electric cars are quite cheap now.
- 9. , as long as everyone gets a say.
- 10. 'flexible hours'?
C. Use it: speak
Mini-debate in groups of three or four. Choose a statement. Each person gives an opinion, then responds to someone else's. Use a different phrase from the list every time you speak; one person keeps score of the phrases used.
- Everyone should learn to cook at school.
- A four-day working week would be better for everyone.
- Phones should be banned in restaurants.
- Tourism does more harm than good to popular cities.
- Online friends can be as close as real-life friends.
Answer key
A. 1c · 2g · 3h · 4d · 5e · 6a · 7i · 8j · 9f · 10b
- B.
- 1. As far as I'm concerned (also: To be honest)
- 2. I couldn't agree more (also: I'd go along with that)
- 3. I'm not so sure about that (also: That's not entirely true)
- 4. It seems to me that
- 5. What do you think about
- 6. If I could just finish
- 7. I'm in favour of
- 8. That's not entirely true (also: I'm not so sure about that)
- 9. I'd go along with that
- 10. Could you explain what you mean by