Page 57 - English Vocabulary in Use Pre Intermediate

25 Opinions, agreeing and disagreeing

Asking someone for their opinion
What do you think of his new book?
How do you feel about working with the others?
What are your feelings (p/) about the change in the timetable?
What’s your honest opinion of that painting?

Giving your opinion
I think Charles had the best idea.
I don’t think he knew very much about the subject.
Personally, I think his first book is terrible.
In my opinion we should sell the old car and buy a new one.
As far_as the whole evening was a waste of time.
I’m
concerned
Note:
e If you want to say something isn’t a good idea you make ‘think’ negative:
I don’t think it’s a good idea. [NoT Lthink it’s net-ageedidea-]
¢ Personally and As far as I’m concerned are more common in spoken English.
e As far as I’m concerned can mean, ‘this is my opinion and I don’t care what others
think’.

Giving the opinion of others

According to one of the journalists on television (= in the opinion of this journalist), the
Prime Minister knew nothing about it.
The newspaperssays that the Prime Minister knew weeks ago. (Note: we still use the verb
say when referring to a written opinion)

Agreeing with someone
We often agree by continuing with the same opinion or adding to it.
A: I think we should concentrate on this one project.
B: Yes, it’s better to do one thing well than two things badly.
But if we want to make it clear we agree, we can use these expressions:
Yes, I agree (with you). (Note: agree is a verb in English. [NoT Lam-agree])
Yes, I think you’re right.

Disagreeing with someone
It is very common in English to begin with a short expression of agreement, and then give a
different opinion. Here are some expressions used to introduce the disagreement:
perhaps, jaybefpossibly} but don’t you think ...
Yes, i! at’s true but I’m not sure that ...
ou could be right but don’t forget ...

If you disagree strongly with someone you can say: I’m afraid I totally disagree (with you).
Note: When we want to disagree but not completely, we can use these phrases:
Yes, I partly agree (with you), but ...
I agree to some extent / a certain extent, but ...

54 English Vocabulary in Use (pre-intermediate & intermediate)