It's usually seen that when you have an opinion, you can use some normal expressions like:
- In my opinion, ...
- I think that ...
- In my point of view, ...
- To me, ...
These functions are widely used in both speaking and writing [ because they're easy to remember ^_^]. But using different functions to show your opinion may make your essays, your speeches more vivid and clear. This also prevent readers or listeners from feeling bored. You certainly don't want the readers or the listeners to read or hear the same expression: " In my opinion,..." every time you give out a new idea, right ? So try to use some other expressions:
+ Informal : - If you ask me ...
- I'd say that ...
- The point is ...
- As I see it ...
- I'd just like to say that I think that ...
+ Formal: I'd like to point out that ...
In addition, sometimes you need to show others how you feel about what they are saying, keep in your mind that you should always be polite when you disagree with them even though they might be your close friends.
+ Agreement: - I can't agree with you more ! [strongest]
- That's just what I was thinking.
- I agree entirely.
+ Disagreement: - Yes, that's quite true, but ...
- Well, you have a point there, but ...
- I see what you mean, but ...
* The following functions are used when you know the person speaking very well, but in my opinion, you'd better not use them in any cases:- Come off it!
- Don't be silly!
- You can't be serious!
Alright, so ... what about functions used when discussing ?
If you don't want to strongly present your opinions because you don't want to start an argument. Here are some expressions that might be useful:
- I sometimes think that ...
- Would you agree that ... ?
- Do you think it's right to say that ... ?
If you do not clearly understand what someone 's talking about and want them to explain more, you can use the following expressions:- I don't quite follow what you're saying about
- I don't quite see what you mean, I'm afraid.
- I don't quite see what you're getting at.
And if someone don't understand what you're saying, you may need the following expressions to rephrase your statements:
- That's not quite what I meant...
- Let me put it another way...
- Sorry, let me explain ...
Phew, I've just introduced some expressions that you might find useful in a discussion or a debate . Hope you'll find them useful. [Mr Violence]
[The expressions and facts come from the book "Functions of English" by Leo Jones]
Here are the links for the pictures I used:
http://www.pmcleadership.com/images/disagree.jpg
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2008/03/29/npolitics229.jpg
http://www.baronhats.com/images/gatsby-idea!.jpg
http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/236674/2/istockphoto_236674_agree_2.jpg
http://www.businessinnovationinsider.com/images/2006/03/Question%20Mark.jpg
http://picasaweb.google.com/canonsnaps/AirForceAndI/photo#4988400447734022162
http://www.reading-sfl.org.uk/images/workshop04/Discussion.jpg
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2008/03/29/npolitics229.jpg
http://www.baronhats.com/images/gatsby-idea!.jpg
http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/236674/2/istockphoto_236674_agree_2.jpg
http://www.businessinnovationinsider.com/images/2006/03/Question%20Mark.jpg
http://picasaweb.google.com/canonsnaps/AirForceAndI/photo#4988400447734022162
http://www.reading-sfl.org.uk/images/workshop04/Discussion.jpg
13 comments:
Hmm...What's more can I say? Completely agree with this entry ^^ Also thanks a lot, cos sometimes I also find myself run out of ideas when expressing my opinions. Thanks, again! ^_^
Ps: It's so long, which requires a lot of my effort and patience to read till the last word ^^. Shorten it next time, okie?
Always be ur good fellow ^_-
Wow, It's surprising that Big Sister was the first person to write a comment on our blog. Thanks. I'll try to shorten my entries next time.
you are a good student and very obdient.I couldn't agree more!. youngest member of happy family
Have you guys heard that: Can I put my two cents' worth? ^^
By the way,VIP group! That may be unfair to other groups I guess, haha.
To Mr duy k.bui: As I look up your words in wikipedia.org, I find this: ["My two cents" and its longer version "put my two cents in" is an American idiomatic expression, taken from the original British idiom expression: to put in " my two pennies worth" or " my tuppence worth". It used to preface the stating of one's opinion. By deprecating the opinion to follow — suggesting its value is only two cents, a very small amount — the user of the phrase hopes to lessen the impact of a possibly contentious statement, showing politeness and humility. However, it is also sometimes used with irony when expressing a strongly felt opinion. The phrase is also used out of habit to preface uncontentious opinions.] _Mr Violence
Are you two fighting in peace? Huh?
Uh good and useful entry!!! I think expressing your own opinion but not making others annoyed is really not easy even though you are native-speaker! But to have this ability, in my opinion, you don’t need to try much! Just have a bit inquiring mind and pay a bit attention to it!!! We can do it, ‘cause we’re all polite people! Right?!!^^
You have shown some useful ways of expressing opinions.This will help us a lot in our daily conversation.However, because this journal is for improving speaking,could you please format it in an easier for us to recognise?Thanks
he he, your entry is like the summery of the lesson we learned last week, right? ^^ It's really helpful for us to have a thorough grasp of these functions :D
Thanks ^^
I like the way you display your entry. the pictures and the content are suitable. i think you should say about something new, we need new information, not old one we have learned. please,remember to comment my blogger. thank you
wooh, i can't agree with you more! ^_^ i sometimes get into trouble when expressing my opinions. i don't know why ^_^, but i know that i will imprve myself much after learning in class & read your entry, too. Thanks a lot^_^
P.S: hope that you could visit our blog & show your idea with our new entry ^_^ thanks again
Yéah!that's sound interesting!!I really hope that your entry will help me be more confident when I join the conversation. thanka a lot!
First time I read your blog... Really useful entry! Length wasn't actually a problem, in fact I found your work very accurate, short and to the point. Thnx! ^^
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