OPINIONS, AGREEING AND DISAGREEING ENGLISH VOCABULARY IN USE PRE INTERMEDIATE

 

ENGLISH VOCABULARY IN USE PRE INTERMEDIATE UNIT 67 OPINIONS, AGREEING AND DISAGREEING

 

A Asking someone for their opinion What do you think of his new book / Tom’s girlfriend? (asking about a specific thing or person) What do you think about global warming / cosmetic surgery? (asking about a general topic) How do you feel about working with the others? B Introducing your own opinion Personally, I think Helena was probably right. Personally, I feel that we should increase the price. In my opinion [I think], we need to change the direction of the company. My view/feeling is [my opinion is] that we need to wait a bit longer. Common mistakes   Personally, I don’t think it’s a good idea. (NOT I think it’s not a good idea.) In my opinion, motorbikes are dangerous. (NOT On my opinion OR In my meaning) In most situations, it is probably easier and more natural to use personally. C Giving the opinion of others The newspaper says that his death was not an accident. (NOT It’s written in the newspaper) According to the paper [the paper says], the government didn’t know about it. D Agreeing and disagreeing (with someone) I totally agree (with you) [agree completely, 100%]. I partly agree (with you) [agree but not completely]. I agree (with you) to a certain extent [partly agree]. Common mistakes   I agree with you. (NOT I’m agree with you.) Do you agree? (NOT Are you agree?) In British English, it is common to agree with someone before giving a different opinion. That’s true, but I think … I see what you mean, [I understand what you are saying] but … I agree to some extent, but … I think that’s a good point [idea or opinion], but … I take your point [I understand and partly agree with your opinion], but ... E Giving a strong opinion EXERCISES 67.1 Complete the questions in different ways to ask people their opinion. 1 What do you think ______about_______ sending people to Mars? 2 ___________ these shoes? Do you like them? 3 ___________ having more responsibility? 67.2 Complete the dialogues. 1 A: Did you think he was right in what he said? B: Not completely, but I _____partly_________agreed with him. 2 A: What did you think ________________ the film? B: Well, ________________ I didn’t like it. 3 A: Do you agree with her? B: Yes, to a certain ________________. 4 A: She feels very ________________ about protecting the environment. B: Yes, I know, and I think she’s absolutely ________________. 5 A: ________________, I think all politicians tell lies. B: Sorry, but I ________________ completely. 6 A: We can’t send everyone to university. B: Yes, that’s ________________, but we should give everyone a chance to go. 7 A: My ________________ is that we should make all chocolate and sweets more expensive, and then people couldn’t afford to eat so many things that are bad for them. B: That’s a good ________________, but it seems unfair on people who don’t eat too many sweet things. 8 A: I see what you ________________ about spending more money, but can we afford it? B: Well, in my ________________ we have no choice. 67.3 Rewrite the sentences using the words in capitals. Keep a similar meaning. 1 I think you’re right. AGREE ___________ I agree with you. __________________ 2 I think the club needs new players. OPINION ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_______________________________ 3 I completely disagree with you. AT ALL _______________________________ 4 The newspaper says the fire was started on purpose. ACCORDING _______________________________ 5 I partly agree with her. EXTENT _______________________________ 6 I see what you mean, but I’m not sure I agree. POINT _______________________________ 67.4

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