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UNIT 3
GIVING OPINIONS AND PREFERENCES
by Syahara Dina Amalia, Fitri Kurniawan, and Hartati Widiastuti LPIDB UNIVERSITAS MUHAMMADIYAH SURAKARTA
1. Asking for and Giving an Opinion Conversation 1 A : So Dave, what do you think a good friend is? B : Well for me, a friend is someone who is good fun to be with. A : Hmm…fun to be with? Can you give me an example? B : I like friends who like to go out and have fun together – go down town, go to the beach, see a movie, something like that. A : So….does that mean a friend has to like the same things you do? B : No…not really, just that they have a fun personality. You know, fun to be with whatever we do. (Source: internet) Conversation 2 A : So, do you think that Bangkok is a great place to live? B : I believe that, yes. Food and clothes are very cheap and it’s easy to travel around the city. A : What do you think about the idea that there are too many people living in Bangkok? B : I don’t think so. There are a lot of people but the city is always busy and exciting. (Source: internet) Grammar focus *Expressions of Giving an Opinion It is very imporant to show people when you are saying an opinion and show that it is not a fact. Giving an opinion as a fact is not very polite in the UK.
- I reckon...
- I'd say...
- Personally, I think...
- What I reckon is...
- If you ask me...
- The way I see it...
- As far as I'm concerned...
- If you don't mind me saying...
- I'm utterly convinced that...
- In my humble opinion... We often need to give our opinions to friends and colleagues. Here are ten ways of giving your opinion about a choice between options
- In my opinion, this one would be better.
- To my mind this one's better.
- If you ask me, this one's better.
- To my way of thinking, this one's fine.
- In my view, this one is best.
- Know what I think? That one's best.
- I'd say that one's better.
- What I think is that one's better.
- For me, that one's better.
- I tell you what I think, that one's best. How to Use These Phrases in Your English
- We follow all the phrases with a sentence or clause that shows the speaker's opinion.
- Phrases 1 - 3 are really quite informal. You can use these phrases when you are discussing something with friends or people who you know well.
- In phrase 1, 'reckon' is a very common word in the UK today. It means 'I think' but British people use the word 'reckon' much more often than 'think'.
- Phrases 5, 6 and 7 are all quite polite and show clearly that the statement is only an opinion.
- Phrase 8 is more polite because it says to the other speaker that they might not agree with what you are saying.
I personally believe … I personally think … I personally feel Not everyone will agree with me, but … To my mind … From my point of view… Well, personally … If I had my way I would … What I’m more concerned with is … In my case … Absolutely … Examples : Asking for Opinions: What do you think? What's your opinion? What are your ideas? Do you have any thoughts on that? How do you feel about that? Giving Opinions I think we should get a new car. I don't think we need one. I believe (that) smoking should be outlawed. I don't believe (that) it should be illegal. In my opinion, Gone with the Breeze is the best movie ever made. I feel that it's the right thing to do. I don't feel that it's such a good idea.
1. Giving Preference Conversation 1 Listen and practice. Brett : These wool sweaters are really nice. Which one do you like better? Lisa : Let’s see… I like the green one more. Brett : The green one? Why? Lisa : It looks warmer.
5 Brett : That’s true, but I think I prefer the blue one. It’s more stylist than the green one. Lisa : Hmm. There’s no price tag. Brett : Excuse me. How much is this sweater? Clerk : It’s $139. Would you like to try it on? Brett : Uh, no. That’s OK. But, no. That’s OK. But thanks anyway. Clerk : You’re welcome. (Source: New Interchange) Conversation 2 Listen and practice. Amir : Hello Duffy. Let’s go buy a T-shirt. Duffy : Alright. But I want a shirt not a T-shirt. Amir : Don’t you like T-shirt, Duffy. Duffy : I prefer shirts to T-shirt. Amir : So you choose to be formal rather than casual. Duffy : Yes, I prefer formal wear. Amir : That’s your choice, Duffy. But I always prefer a casual look. (Source: internet) Grammar focus Preference, comparisons with adjectives. Which sweater do you prefer? I prefer the blue one. It’s nicer than the green one. Which one do you like more? I like the blue one more. It’s prettier than the green one. Which one do you like better? I like the blue one better. It’s more stylist than the green one. Expressing preferences using prefer, would rather, or would sooner. Prefer + noun/ing I prefer Coke to Pepsi. I prefer relaxing to working.
7 Handout 2: Exercises
1. Asking for and Giving an Opinion A. Complete the dialogue using the following expressions in the box! I agree with you I think so b. No, definitely not That’s a good idea c. I don’t think so
B. Entertainment Survey I. Group Work Write five questions about entertainment and entertainers. Then ask and answer your questions in groups. Do you like ________? (pop music, TV, movies, plays) What kinds of ________ do you like? (music, movies, TV programs) What do you think of ________? (Fast and Furious 7, horror films, jazz) II. Group Work Complete this information about your group. Our Group Favorites What’s your favorite kind of __?
- Music : - Movie : - TV program : Who’s your favorite __? - Singer : - Actor : - Actress :
C. Create a short dialogue using preferences, then practice in front of the class.
