General English Level 3 V 3
UNIT 03 Being with people TOPIC 03 What do you think?
LANGUAGE FOCUS 03 Expressing opinions, agreeing and disagreeing
Find out how to express an opinion and how to agree and disagree with other people.

1. Expressing opinions

Linh, and Pedro say:
Linh:
I think it must be much easier to learn English here than in your country.
Pedro:
I don't really believe learning grammar in a classroom is important.
Pedro: Because I think learning new words is much more important.

Linh and Pedro are expressing their opinions . When we express our opinions we can use I think that, I believe that …

I think that it's important to travel before you go to university.
I believe that

We can ask other people about their opinions . We can use What do you think? Do you agree? Don't you agree?

Examples

1 Read the examples.
2 Listen to the examples.
3 Practise saying the examples. Use the Pause button.
What do you think about travelling before you go to university?
I think travelling before you go to university is important. What do you think?
I think it's better to live in a house than a flat. Do you agree? Don't you agree?

2. Agreeing with other people's opinions

Linh, Eddie and Pedro say:
Eddie:
Yes, I love living in a flat too.
Pedro:
Oh, yes you're probably right .
Pedro: It sure is!
Linh: Well, yes , but I think you've both got a point.

Linh, Eddie and Pedro are agreeing with each other's opinions. Here are some examples of other ways we can agree.

Examples

1 Read the examples above.
2 Listen to the examples.
3 Practise saying the examples. Use the Pause button.
I think so too.
It sure is!
You're probably right.
Absolutely!
You've (both) got a point.
I can see your point.
Of course!

3. Disagreeing with other people's opinions

Linh and Eddie say:
Linh: Oh I'm not so sure.
Eddie:
Oh why do you say that?
Eddie: Mmm, I wouldn't say that.

Linh, Eddie and Pedro are disagreeing with each other's opinions. Here are some examples of other ways to disagree with other people's opinions.

Examples

1 Read the examples above.
2 Listen to the examples.
3 Practise saying the examples. Use the Pause button.
I'm not so sure.
I wouldn't say that.
Oh really.
No, not really.
Oh why do you say that?
Do you think so? Why is that?
I don't agree with you there.


In English it is OK to disagree with other people's opinions in a polite way. In English it is OK to disagree with other people's opinions using the language in the list above. You can use I disagree but this is quite strong and it might upset some people.

If we don't know the other people very well, we usually talk about subjects like education, sport, travel, family, jobs and things that have happened in the news. We don't talk about religion, money or politics.

Now go to 04 SPEAKING What do you think?