ASKING AND GIVING OPINIONS When we listen to someone giving his opinion, we might either agree or disagree.

A. When we are asking someone’s opinion, we say: There are many ways to express our agreement or disagreement with someone’s
• What do you think • What’s your opinion about...? opinion.
of/about...? Expressing an opinion Agreeing with an opinion Disagreeing with an opinion
• How do you feel about...? The programs on this I (completely) agree (with Do you think so? I think a
B. When we want to express our opinion, we say: channel are quite good. you). few of them are not quality
• Well, if you ask me, they are terrible. (Positive) program.
• As far as I’m concerned, they are pretty good. I think the film is not I think so. I don’t know about that. I
• I think the film is not suitable for children. suitable for children. think children of a certain
• Most of programs are not educative. (Negative) age can watch it with
• The programs are quite good. parental guide.
• They broadcast some great talk shows these days. I think this shirt will look I agree. This color will I don’t think so. It makes
When we want to express an opinion, we say: good on you. (Positive) complement my complexion. my skin look washed out.
A. Certain verbs such as feel, think, believe, understand, regard, assume. E.g. When disagreeing with someone’s opinion, Pay attention to the following.
• I think the government should do something to overcome this problem. A. Do not attack the person with rude expressions. Do not say things such as:
• She feels that Japanese cars are better than European cars. • You are a fool. • You are too dumb to understand.
• I believe that the United Nations has done a great job so far. B. Even if you disagree with the opinion, do not use sarcastic comments, such
B. Linking verbs such as appear, seem, look, get. E.g. as:
• He seems the right person for the job. • That’s stupid/ridiculous idea. • You are wrong. I am right.
• She appears younger than her age. • My idea is better than yours. • Your idea is not good enough.
C. Adjectives such as the best, the most, nice, clean, good, bad, worse, terrible, C. Express your disagreement using polite expressions and ‘I’ statement, such
etc. E.g. as:
• This is the most luxurious hotel I have ever seen. • I personally partly agree with the idea. • I am afraid I can’t agree
• My father bought a horrible mask. • I don’t completely agree with the idea. with that opinion.
D. Phrases such as in my opinion..., it is my opinion that..., I’m in the same D. Listen to the other person until they finish and do not interrupt them.
opinion that..., according to me..., as far as I’m concerned... E.g. E. Try to find common ground even if you disagree with the idea, for example:
• In my opinion, Indonesia has too many holidays. • While I agree that homeschooling is good. I think Traditional schooling
• It is my opinion that he will be a great leader of the nation someday. has more benefits.
• As far as I’m concerned, the school holidays are too short. • Your Idea is interesting. It seems we have different point of view. Do you
mind if I explain my thought to you?
Expressing a negative opinion It is also possible that we do not have an opinion (yet) about something or do not
To express a negative opinion, we can say: want to express it. Here are some ways to avoid expressing an opinion.
• There is too much advertising and not enough educational programs. • I could not say that.
• There are too many students in the classroom and not enough chairs to sit on. • I really can’t say.
• You are asking the wrong person.
• I’m not in a position to give an opinion.
Exercise! Please read dialogue below and answer the questions! 8. Identify the EXPRESSIONS of asking and giving opinions. Complete this
Five people are involved in a TV program called ‘Parents Speak Out’. They are table. (The answers may be more than one for each box.
talking about the education system in Fantasia Island. Asking Opinions Giving Opinions Agreeing with Disagreeing with
MODERATOR : Today’s topic on ‘Parents Speak Out’ is the education system in opinions opinions.
Fantasia Island. Why don’t we just go around first and get your opinions. Angie, ... ... ... ...
could we begin with you? What do you think of education system in Fantasia
Island?
ANGIE : Well, if you ask me, it’s terrible. The education system in
Fantasia Island is out of date. It does not make students improve their knowledge.
MODERATOR : So, that’s what you think. Ryan, how do you feel?
RYAN : Well, in general, I agree with Angie. But what bothers me more
is that they memorize without understanding the knowledge. The learning method
puts the students under pressure. Students have to do homework, study at school
for hours and sit in a boring class.
SUZAN : I think so, too. As far as I am concerned, the education fees in
Fantasia Island are expensive. It seems to me that higher education is only for rich
people.
MODERATOR : What about the teacher?
ANGIE : Yes, well, in my opinion, the quality of the teachers in Fantasia
Island is very poor. They lack qualified teachers. This problem arises because the
government does not pay attention to the teacher’s standard of living. Therefore,
many Fantasians are not interested in becoming a qualified teacher.
BOB : Oh, I don’t know about that. I think they implement British
Education system in Fantasia Island. The British education system is super
SUZAN : Maybe, the teachers in Fantasia Island put the British
education system into practice with wrong methods. They don’t teach Fantasian
students much about how to apply knowledge in Practical Situations.

Questions!
1. What is the topic of the discussion?
2. Why does Angie say the education system in Fantasia Island is terrible?
3. Who supports Angie’s opinion?
4. Why does Ryan agree with Angie’s opinion?
5. Does Suzan add a new aspect? What is that?
6. Who does not agree with Angie’s opinion? Why?
7. Who does not agree with Bob? Why?