Exercise 1
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence about opinions, ideas, and arguments.
Example: She strongly ______ with the idea that everyone should learn a second language. (agrees / disagrees / suggests)
Answer: She strongly agrees with the idea that everyone should learn a second language.
Opinions, Ideas and Arguments
Have you ever had a conversation where you strongly disagreed with someone, or wanted to share your point of view but didn't know the right words? Being able to express your opinions clearly, discuss ideas confidently, and argue your case politely is a vital skill in English — and in life.
In this lesson, we explore the key vocabulary you need to share opinions, present ideas, and take part in arguments and discussions at a B1 intermediate level.
Situation: A Group Discussion
Tom, Priya, and Marcus are students. Their teacher has asked them to discuss this question: "Should mobile phones be banned in schools?" Here is part of their conversation:
"In my opinion, phones are a huge distraction," said Tom. "I strongly believe students concentrate better without them."
"I see your point," replied Priya, "but I disagree. To my mind, phones can be useful learning tools."
"That's a fair argument," said Marcus, "but I'd have to say I agree with Tom. There's plenty of evidence to support a ban."
Notice how the students use specific phrases and vocabulary to express opinions, respond to others, and build an argument. Let's look at all of this vocabulary in detail.
Key Vocabulary & Meaning Breakdown
1. Expressing Opinions and Points of View
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| opinion | noun — what you think or believe about something | In my opinion, the film was too long. | in my opinion; give an opinion; ask for someone's opinion; share an opinion |
| point of view | noun phrase — a particular way of thinking about something; a perspective | I understand your point of view, but I think differently. | from my point of view; see someone's point of view; consider different points of view |
| perspective | noun — the way someone sees or understands a situation, often based on their experience | From a student's perspective, homework can feel like too much pressure. | from a … perspective; give/offer a perspective; change your perspective |
| believe | verb — to think that something is true or right | I believe that learning a language takes time and practice. | strongly believe; believe in something; I believe (that) + clause |
| feel | verb — to have a particular opinion or emotion about something | I feel that we should give everyone a chance to speak. | feel strongly about; feel that + clause; I feel + adjective |
| reckon | verb (informal) — to think or have an opinion about something (used in spoken English) | I reckon we should leave early to avoid the traffic. | I reckon (that) + clause; used in casual conversation, not formal writing |
| attitude | noun — a settled way of thinking or feeling about something | Her attitude towards the new project was very positive. | a positive/negative attitude; attitude towards/to something; change your attitude |
| impression | noun — a feeling or idea you get about something or someone | My first impression of the city was that it was very busy. | first impression; give an impression; have the impression that; make an impression |
2. Agreeing and Disagreeing
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| agree | verb — to have the same opinion as someone else | I completely agree with what you said about the environment. | agree with someone; agree on something; agree to do something; I couldn't agree more |
| disagree | verb — to have a different opinion from someone | I disagree with the idea that technology is always helpful. | disagree with someone/something; strongly disagree; agree to disagree |
| see someone's point | phrase — to understand why someone thinks the way they do, even if you disagree | I can see your point, but I still think we need more time. | I see your point; I take your point; see the point of something |
| fair point | noun phrase — an opinion or reason that is reasonable and worth considering | That's a fair point — maybe we should reconsider the plan. | That's a fair point; make a fair point; raise a fair point |
| have to disagree | phrase — a polite way of expressing disagreement | I'm afraid I'd have to disagree with that conclusion. | I'm afraid I have to disagree; I'd have to disagree — used to soften disagreement |
| on the other hand | linking phrase — used to introduce an opposite or contrasting idea | Phones can be distracting. On the other hand, they can also be very useful. | on the other hand; on one hand … on the other hand … |
| however | adverb / linking word — used to introduce a contrasting idea or limitation | The plan sounds good. However, it might be too expensive. | however + comma; used at the start of a sentence or after a semicolon |
| although | conjunction — despite the fact that; even though | Although I understand your argument, I don't fully agree. | although + subject + verb; do not confuse with "however" |
3. Arguments, Evidence and Reasoning
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| argument | noun — a reason or set of reasons given to support an idea; also a disagreement between people | She made a strong argument for reducing car use in city centres. | make/put forward an argument; a strong/weak argument; win/lose an argument |
| evidence | noun — facts or information that show something is true | There is plenty of evidence that exercise improves mental health. | evidence of/for something; provide/show evidence; there is evidence that + clause |
| support | verb / noun — to agree with or provide reasons for an idea or opinion | Do you have any data to support that claim? | support an argument/idea/view; support + noun; in support of something |
| claim | noun / verb — a statement that something is true, which may or may not be proven | He claims that social media is making people unhappy. | make a claim; claim (that) + clause; a bold/false claim; support/reject a claim |
| point | noun — a single idea or fact used in a discussion or argument | She made several good points during the debate. | make a point; a good/valid/key point; get to the point; miss the point |
| reason | noun — a fact or explanation that shows why something is true or should happen | Give me one good reason why we should change the plan. | give a reason; the reason for something; for this reason; reason + to + infinitive |
| conclusion | noun — a final decision or opinion reached after thinking something through | After much discussion, we came to the conclusion that more research was needed. | come to/reach a conclusion; draw a conclusion; jump to conclusions |
| debate | noun / verb — a formal or serious discussion about a topic where people express different opinions | There is a lot of debate about whether homework is useful. | a heated debate; open a debate; join a debate; debate a topic/issue |
| convince | verb — to make someone believe something is true or to persuade them to do something | He tried to convince me that his plan was the best option. | convince someone of something; convince someone to do something; I'm not convinced |
| consider | verb — to think carefully about something before making a decision or expressing an opinion | We should consider all the arguments before making a final decision. | consider + noun/-ing; consider doing something; all things considered |
Collocations & Useful Expressions
Learning how words combine naturally with other words — called collocations — helps you sound more fluent. Here are the most important collocations for opinions, ideas, and arguments:
Expressing Opinions
in my opinion
In my opinion, working from home has many benefits.
Use this phrase at the start of a sentence to introduce your personal view.
to my mind
To my mind, the most important issue is education.
A slightly more formal way of saying "in my opinion."
as far as I'm concerned
As far as I'm concerned, we've already waited long enough.
Used to emphasise that this is your personal view, and others may disagree.
I strongly believe (that)
I strongly believe that everyone deserves equal opportunities.
Use strongly to show you feel very sure about your opinion.
I tend to think (that)
I tend to think that small changes can make a big difference.
A softer, less direct way of giving an opinion — useful for polite conversations.
Agreeing
I couldn't agree more
"We need better public transport." — "I couldn't agree more!"
Used to show complete and enthusiastic agreement.
That's exactly what I think
That's exactly what I think — we need to act now.
You have a point
You have a point — it is expensive, but it's worth it.
Acknowledges that the other person's idea has some merit.
Disagreeing Politely
I'm not sure I agree with that
I'm not sure I agree with that — the research suggests something different.
I see what you mean, but …
I see what you mean, but I think we're missing an important point.
Acknowledge the other person's view before giving your own — very polite and natural.
I'm afraid I disagree
I'm afraid I disagree — I think the evidence shows the opposite.
A formal and polite way of disagreeing.
Building an Argument
put forward an argument
She put forward a strong argument for changing the law.
make a point
He made a very good point about the cost of the project.
come to a conclusion
After a long discussion, they came to a conclusion that satisfied everyone.
provide evidence
Can you provide any evidence to support your claim?
support an argument
These statistics clearly support the argument for better healthcare funding.
Important Differences & Confusing Words
Opinion, View, or Belief?
These three words are very similar but are used in slightly different ways.
| Word | Meaning | Example | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| opinion | What you personally think about something — can be based on feelings or limited knowledge | In my opinion, the restaurant wasn't worth the price. | Most common and flexible; used in both formal and informal situations |
| view | What you think about something, often based on knowledge or experience; similar to opinion but slightly more formal | What are your views on climate change? | Often used in discussions of serious or complex topics; "views on" is a common collocation |
| belief | Something you strongly feel is true, often related to values, religion, or deep personal conviction | It is my belief that every child deserves a good education. | Stronger than opinion; suggests a deep or long-held conviction |
Argument or Discussion?
Argument and discussion can both describe people talking about different ideas, but they are not always the same:
- A discussion is a conversation where people share ideas calmly and openly. It does not have to involve disagreement.
We had a really interesting discussion about travel after class. - An argument can mean either: (1) a reason or set of reasons used to support an idea (formal/neutral), or (2) an angry disagreement between people (informal/negative).
She made a convincing argument for the new policy. (= a set of reasons)
We had a big argument about whose turn it was to do the washing up. (= an angry disagreement)
Context will tell you which meaning is intended. At B1 level, be careful not to always assume "argument" is negative.
Convince or Persuade?
These two verbs are very close in meaning, but the grammar patterns are different:
- Convince is followed by someone of something or someone + that clause:
She convinced me that the plan would work.
He convinced me of the importance of saving money. - Persuade is often followed by someone to do something:
She persuaded me to try the new restaurant.
He persuaded us to stay a little longer.
In everyday conversation, many speakers use both words interchangeably, but in formal writing it is better to follow these patterns correctly.
Although, However, or Despite?
These three words all introduce a contrast, but the grammar is different for each:
- Although is a conjunction — it connects two clauses in one sentence:
Although I understand your point, I still disagree. - However is an adverb — it usually starts a new sentence or clause, followed by a comma:
The idea sounds good. However, it will cost a lot of money. - Despite is a preposition — it is followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form):
Despite the high cost, I think we should go ahead.
Despite working hard, she didn't pass the exam.
Common Mistakes
❌ In my opinion, I think that homework should be banned.
✅ In my opinion, homework should be banned. — Do not use both "in my opinion" and "I think" together. They mean the same thing, so choose one.
❌ He convinced me to change my mind about it.
✅ He persuaded me to change my mind about it. — Use persuade + someone + to do something. Use convince + someone + that (e.g. He convinced me that I was wrong).
❌ Although the argument was good, but I didn't agree.
✅ Although the argument was good, I didn't agree. — Do not use "but" after "although." "Although" already shows the contrast — adding "but" is a double connector and incorrect in English.
❌ She made me a strong argument for leaving early.
✅ She made a strong argument for leaving early. — The correct phrase is make an argument for/against something, not make someone an argument.
❌ I am agree with your point of view.
✅ I agree with your point of view. — "Agree" is a verb in English, not an adjective. Never say "I am agree." Always say "I agree."
❌ From my point of view of, we should try a different approach.
✅ From my point of view, we should try a different approach. — The correct phrase is from my point of view (no extra "of" at the end).
❌ Despite the weather was bad, we still went out.
✅ Despite the bad weather, we still went out. — "Despite" must be followed by a noun phrase or an -ing verb, never by a subject + verb clause. Use "although" if you want to use a clause: Although the weather was bad, we still went out.
Opinions, Ideas and Arguments: Quick Summary & Review
Here is a quick summary of the key vocabulary and ideas from this lesson:
- Use phrases like in my opinion, to my mind, and as far as I'm concerned to introduce your personal opinion.
- Use believe, feel, and reckon (informal) to express what you think is true.
- Show agreement with phrases like I couldn't agree more and you have a point.
- Disagree politely with I see what you mean, but … or I'm afraid I disagree.
- Build arguments using evidence, reasons, and key phrases like put forward an argument and support a claim.
- Connect contrasting ideas with although (+ clause), however (+ sentence), and despite (+ noun/-ing).
- Remember the difference between opinion, view, and belief — they are similar but not always interchangeable.
- Never say I am agree — always say I agree.
Now practise opinions, ideas and arguments vocabulary in the exercises below.
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