Do you know how to share your opinions in English – and ask other people about their opinions, too?
In this free lesson, you’ll learn useful English phrases to:
- Ask someone what they think about something
- Share your opinion clearly
- Respond politely to other people’s views
Let’s start with a real conversation between two friends discussing smartphones for children.
Contents
Asking for and sharing opinions: example dialogue
This short conversation shows two friends using natural English phrases to share opinions and ask questions about what they think.
Jim asks Ben what he thinks about children having smartphones. Jim and Ben use common English phrases to ask for and give opinions.
Listen
Listen to the conversation. Try to hear each opinion phrase and how the other person responds.
Dialogue transcript
Read the full conversation below. These are real-life English phrases you can use to ask for and share opinions.
Jim: Hey Ben, what are your views on smartphones for kids?
Ben: How do you mean?
Jim: Well, how do you feel about parents who give their kids smartphones? You know, where do you stand?
Ben: So, the way I see it, parents should try and give their kids as much freedom as possible.
Jim: So you reckon it’s OK, then, yeah?
Ben: Yeah, I’m all for smartphones for kids… but, you know, as long as parents teach their kids how to use them safely and everything
.Jim: What about very young children? Do you think it’s OK for them to have smartphones, as well? What do you reckon?
Phrase guide: asking for and sharing opinions
Here’s a breakdown of the phrases from the dialogue.
Asking what someone thinks
These phrases help you ask other people for their opinion.
- What are your views on ……..?
- How do you feel about …
- Where do you stand?
- Do you think it’s OK for them to have smartphones?
- What do you reckon?
You can also say:
- What are your thoughts on ..?
- What’s your take on ..?
- What do you reckon to ..?
- Any views on …?
Giving your opinion
These phrases help you give your own opinion clearly.
- The way I see it, parents should give their kids freedom.
- Yeah, I’m all for smartphones for kids…
You can also say:
- In my view, …
- I guess I’d say that …
- To be honest …
Checking understanding or agreement
These phrases help you confirm the other person’s meaning or ask for clarification.
- How do you mean?
- So you reckon it’s OK, yeah?
- What about very young children?
Example questions
- What are two polite ways to ask someone for their opinion?
- What does “What do you reckon?” mean?
- What’s another way to say “I’m all for it”?
More useful phrases to talk about opinions
Use these extra phrases to improve your speaking and sound more natural when you talk about opinions in English.
Extra expressions
| Phrase | Plain English |
|---|---|
| What’s your take on it? | What do you think about it? |
| Any views on that? | Do you have any opinion on that? |
| To be honest, I think… | This is my real opinion. |
| I guess I’d say… | I think… |
| I’m all for it. | I support this completely. |
Exercises
Practise what you’ve learned with these simple activities.
1. Match the phrase to its meaning
- What are your views on smartphones?
- Where do you stand?
- I’m all for it.
- In my view…
- What do you reckon?
a. What’s your opinion?
b. I totally support it.
c. What’s your position on this?
d. I think that…
e. What do you think?
2. Match the phrases to a likely response
- A: What’s your take on this?
- A: I’m all for letting kids use phones.
- A: What do you reckon?
a. I think it depends on the age.
b. I agree – if they’re safe.
c. I think it’s a great idea.
3. Finish the sentence (speaking practice)
Complete the sentence, then try saying it aloud.
- What do you think about..
- The way I see it..
- To be honest..
Answer key
1. Match the phrase to its meaning
- What are your views on smartphones? → a. What’s your opinion?
- Where do you stand? → c. What’s your position on this?
- I’m all for it. → b. I totally support it.
- In my view… → d. I think that…
- What do you reckon? → e. What do you think?
2. Match the phrases to a likely response
- A: What’s your take on this? → c. I think it’s a great idea.
- A: I’m all for letting kids use phones. → b. I agree – if they’re safe.
- A: What do you reckon? → a. I think it depends on the age.
3. Finish the sentence (possible examples)
- What do you think about young children having phones?
- The way I see it, it depends on the parents.
- To be honest, I think it’s too risky.
