General English Level 3 V 3
UNIT 04 Money matters TOPIC 05 In my opinion...
LANGUAGE FOCUS 02 Written opinions
Do you have strong feelings about something? Find out how to write about your opinion.
Jo Hiller and Keith Walker write:
Keith Walker:
I think they should spend less time at parties and with their friends and more time studying to prepare for their future.
Jo Hiller:
I don't think they should get so much money.
Jo Hiller: …I feel that CEOs who have too much money should help these people.
Jo Hiller: I believe that CEOs should give some of the company's profits back to the community.

We use I think (that) , I don't think (that) , I feel (that) , I don't feel (that) , I believe (that) , I don't believe (that) when we talk or write about our opinions .
We often use should in the clause that follows these verbs.

I think
feel
believe 		(that) they should spend less time at parties.
CEOs should help these people.
don't think
don't feel
don't believe 		(that) they should get so much money.
people should pay more tax.

Examples

Read the examples.

I think the government should help poor people.
I don't think that people should have to pay for education.
I don't think money makes people happy.
I feel that we should spend more money on education.
I believe people should pay less tax.

Jo Hiller and Keith Walker write:
Jo Hiller:
I'm writing to complain that we pay CEOs of companies too much.
Keith Walker:
In my opinion , young people should study harder and think about the future.
Jo Hiller: Personally, I believe that CEOs should give some of the company's profits back to the community.

Sometimes when we write our opinion, we begin by writing I'm writing to… + our reason for writing.
We can also use Personally and In my opinion to begin a sentence.

Personally, I think
feel
believe 		(that) CEOs should give some of the company's profits back to the community.
the government should help poor people.
In my opinion, young people should study harder and think about the future.

Examples

Read the examples.

I'm writing to complain about public transport.
I'm writing to say that I don't agree with the government's ideas.
Personally, I feel that nurses should get more money.
In my opinion, smoking is a waste of money.

Now go to 03 DISCUSSION What's your opinion?