12 Ways to Give an Opinion

Learning how to share what you think is essential for real-life conversations in English. Whether you’re in a meeting, chatting with friends, or discussing a movie, you need clear and confident ways to express your point of view. This lesson will teach you 12 ways to give an opinion so you can speak fluently and naturally in any situation. Let’s get started!

Common Phrases to Share Your Viewpoint

These phrases help you introduce your thoughts, making it clear to the listener that you are about to share a personal belief or judgment.

Polite and Formal Ways to Give an Opinion

Use these phrases when speaking to your boss, a customer, or in any formal setting where you need to sound respectful and considered.

1. In my opinion, …
   • Meaning & Use: This is a classic, neutral, and clear way to begin. It works well in almost any situation, especially in more formal settings.
   • Example: In my opinion, the new marketing strategy is too risky for our current budget.
2. From my perspective, …
   • Meaning & Use: This phrase emphasizes that the opinion is based on your unique experience or point of view. It suggests you’ve thought deeply about the issue.
   • Example: From my perspective, focusing on local customers first would yield better results.
3. I believe that …
   • Meaning & Use: This phrase expresses a strong, personal conviction. It’s polite but shows confidence in what you are saying.
   • Example: I believe that we should postpone the launch until all the technical issues are resolved.
4. It seems to me that …
   • Meaning & Use: This is a slightly softer way to give an opinion. It suggests your opinion is based on observation and is open to discussion.
   • Example: It seems to me that we’ve underestimated the time needed for this project.

Casual and Everyday Ways to Give an Opinion

Use these phrases when talking to friends, family, or colleagues you know well. They help you share your thoughts in a relaxed, friendly manner.

5. I think …
   • Meaning & Use: This is the most common and simple phrase in everyday English. Use it anywhere you want to share a simple thought quickly.
   • Example: I think the new coffee shop on the corner has the best croissants.
6. To me, …
   • Meaning & Use: A short and very common way to share a personal judgment, often used when comparing two things.
   • Example: To me, watching a movie at home is much more relaxing than going to the theater.
7. If you ask me, …
   • Meaning & Use: This is a casual phrase that suggests you are giving your honest or unfiltered opinion, maybe even one that is slightly controversial.
   • Example: If you ask me, they should have picked a different color for the walls; this one is too bright.
8. The way I see it, …
   • Meaning & Use: This shows you are explaining your complete perspective on a situation. It’s a good phrase for more complicated topics.
   • Example: The way I see it, we need to hire two more people to handle the increased workload.

Softer Ways to Give an Opinion (Adding Uncertainty)

Sometimes you don’t want to sound 100% certain. These phrases help you introduce your opinion while showing you are open to other ideas.

9. I’d say …
   • Meaning & Use: A common, informal way to offer an opinion that is a bit of a guess or an estimate, often used quickly in conversation.
   • Example: I’d say we have about fifteen minutes before the rain starts.
10. I guess …
    • Meaning & Use: This phrase is very soft and shows a low level of certainty. It’s often used when you’re hesitant or unsure but still want to contribute.
    • Example: I guess we could try the blue design, but I’m not totally convinced.
11. As far as I’m concerned, …
    • Meaning & Use: This clearly separates your own opinion from what others may think. It’s a slightly more assertive but still polite way to give an opinion.
    • Example: As far as I’m concerned, the deadline is flexible, but let’s double-check with the manager.
12. Personally, I feel that …
    • Meaning & Use: This emphasizes that the feeling is unique to you. It’s a good way to share an emotional or subjective thought politely.
    • Example: Personally, I feel that working from home has improved my productivity.

Phrases in Action: Short Dialogues

See how people use these 12 ways to give an opinion in everyday chats.

Dialogue 1: At Work (Formal)

• Anya: What do you think is the best way to present our quarterly results?
• Ben: In my opinion, a visual presentation with fewer statistics would be more engaging for the leadership team.
• Anya: That’s a good point. And what about the Q4 budget?
• Ben: From my perspective, we should allocate more funds to the digital advertising team next quarter.

Dialogue 2: With Friends (Casual)

• Maria: Which car should I buy? The red one or the blue one?
• Chris: I think the blue one looks much sportier, but if you ask me, the red color will hold its value better when you try to sell it.
• Maria: Hmm, that’s smart. I hadn’t thought about resale value.

Quick Tips: When to Use

• Formal Settings (Meetings, Professional Emails): Always start with a softer or more formal phrase like “In my opinion,…” or “I believe that…” to show respect and professionalism.
• Casual Chats (Friends, Family): Use simple, direct phrases like “I think…” or “To me,…” for speed and naturalness.
• When Debating or Disagreeing: Use phrases like “The way I see it,…” or “As far as I’m concerned,…” to clearly state your unique position without attacking the other person’s view. These ways to give an opinion help keep the discussion polite.

You now have 12 fantastic phrases to express yourself clearly and confidently! Stop just saying “I think” all the time, and start using this new, varied vocabulary to sound more natural. Try using one of these phrases today when you talk to a colleague or friend. Good luck!