Opinions and Thoughts

                                 

Opinions and Thoughts

• Expressing opinions

When we are negotiating, expressing opinions or simply chatting with a friend, we often have to agree or disagree with the other person. Also, we don’t want to make a fight out of this, so we must know how to show empathy with different opinions and also disagree without sounding aggressive. It is very difficult to convince when they think you are attacking. We need to express our opinions and, at the same time, show that we are listening, understanding and appreciating the other opinions. If they feel comfortable, they will be more open to our ideas, opinions or suggestions. Here are different ways of doing so in a conversation.

 EXPRESSING OPINION

Personal:
     In my opinion...
     In my experience...
     Speaking for myself...
     Personally, I think...
     I (strongly) believe that...
     I really feel that...
     If you ask me...
General:
     Some people say that...
     Many/Most people think/believe that...
     Everybody knows that...
     According to scientists...
     The thing is that...
     The point is that...

 CHECKING IF THEY UNDERSTAND

     Do you know what I mean?
     Does it make sense?
     I don’t know if I’m explaining it correctly.

 EXPLAINING THINGS BETTER

     What I mean is...
     What I’m trying to say is that...

 ASKING FOR AN OPINION

     What’s your idea (on...)?
     What do you think about it?
     Do you agree with that?
     Is that what you think?
     Have you got an opinion about it?
     How do you feel about it?
     Do you have anything to say about it?
     And you? What do you think?
     Is that right?

 AGREEING

     Of course
     You’re absolutely right
     Yes, I agree.
     I think so too.
     That’s a (very) good point.
     Oh yes, that’s right.
     Exactly.
     I don’t think so either.
     That’s true.
     That’s just what I was thinking.
     I couldn’t agree more.
     That’s exactly what I think.
     I think you’re right.
     I hear you.
     Yes, me too / me neither.

 PROTESTING POLITELY

     That’s not what I mean/said.
     No, what I’m trying to say is that...
     You got me wrong.
     I’m probably not making myself very clear.
     That’s not exactly what I was trying to say.

 PROTESTING RUDELY

     You’re not listening, are you?
     Did you hear a word I said?
     Can you understand what I say?
     But who said that?

 DISAGREEING POLITELY

     I see, but that’s different.
     Sorry, I don’t agree with you.
     I don’t see it that way.
     That’s not entirely true.
     That’s partly true but...
     I see your point but...
     I’m sorry to disagree with you but...
     Yes, but don’t you think...?
     I think that’s not the same thing at all.
     On the contrary...
     Well, I’m not so sure about that.
     Sorry, I think that’s wrong.
     Yeah, but the problem is that...
     Well, I think it’s not as simple as that.

 SHOWING EMPATHY BEFORE DISAGREEING

     Yes, I agree with you but...
     I can see your point, but...
     That’s very true, but...
     Of course, you’re right, but...
     I know what you mean but...
     I can understand that but...
     Well, that sounds very good but...
     I partly agree, but...
     Yeah, that’s true, but on the other hand...
     You could be right but I think that...
     You are probably right but...

 DISAGREEING IN A RUDE WAY (colloquial)

     Are you crazy or what?
     You must be kidding, right?
     I can’t believe you’re saying that.
     No way!
     I can’t buy that.
     You can’t be serious.
     How can you even say that?
     I think you’re totally wrong.
     Oh, come on, where’s your logic?
     That doesn’t make any sense.
     Absolutely wrong.
     That’s totally B.S.   (=bullshit)

 AGREEING STRONGLY (colloquial)

     Oh yea, you said it.
     But of course!
     Who can disagree with that?
     Now you’re talking.
     Yes, yes, that’s the point!
     I totally agree with you
     You’re so very right!
     You’re reading my mind.

example my dialogue about opinion with grace:

Grace : so,lia what do you think good freinds are like?

Lia : Well,I personally believe that a freind is someone who is fun to be with

Grace :Hm,fun to be with? can you give me an example?

Lia : I like freind who like to go out and have fun together go down town,go to beach,see a movie,something like that

Grace : so,does that mean a freind has to like same things you do ?

Lia : No,not really,just that they have a fun personality you know.fun to be with whatever we do.How about you ? wgat do you thing good freinds are like ?

Grace : In my opinion,a good freind must be on the side of his freind when or sad.

Lia : That's a good answer

Grace : Thank you.

https://youtu.be/cbymYfJ4oiI

Though

Defintion and Using Thoughts (Conjunction)

Though as a conjunction (conjunction) starts an adverbial clause and relates it to the main clause in a complex sentence. The adverbial clause can be in front or in the middle of a sentence. If in front of a sentence, a comma is usually pinned afterwards to separate it from the main clause.

Though at the Beginning of Sentence:

adverbial clause (though + S + V +/- ...) +, + main clause (S + V +/- ...)

Thoughts at the End of Sentences:

main clause (S + V +/- ...) + adverbial clause (though + S + V +/- ...)

This conjunction is used in a statement (adverbial clause) which makes the main statement (main clause) sound surprising or surprising. The meaning is "despite of the fact that" (despite the fact that). Synonym although 

In addition, although it can also be used to add facts or opinions that cause the previous statement  to be less true, less strong , or less important.

Apart from being a conjunction, although it can also be used as an adverb.

Hyphen though it can be used in several contexts at the same time which differ from one another. There are many ways to use it though in sentences.

But the most common is to use the word though at the end of the sentence, to show contrast or comparison with the previous sentence.

In a dictionary, the definitions though are:

Despite the fact that However

In the "however" context, though use is as an adverb. So it is easy for us to understand in Indonesian that even though it is "though".

This word has been known since 1150 in the Middle English era. The pronunciation though is to disguise the letters which don't even sound at all.

To clarify, let us consider some examples of usage though in the following sentence:

“There’s enough like that kind, though interrupted Uncle John."

" The mass was an ornate one, though not more so than they were accustomed to at Beaulieu."

" He felt morally bound to get it repaired, thoughhe was guiltless of the damage."

" Though younger than myself, she reciprocated the love she had inspired."

Thought use. 

The use of Thought in English can be in the form of simple past tense when used as verb 2, and if thought is used as verb 3, then the form is present or past perfect tense. Whereas in the form of nouns, thought is used as an object.

The following is an example of using thought in simple past tense, perfect tense and as noun.

Examples of Using Thought in Simple Past Tense. 

1. I Thought I would never meet you again.

2. I thought He sent a letter last morning. 

3. My mother tought I cooked fried rice for dinner. 

4. I thought They were at the school library yesterdat aftenoon. 

5. He thought I was arrived last night at home. 

6. I can’t believe my boyfriend did something I thought he wouldn’t. 

7. We never thought his would happen. 

Examples of using Though In Perfect Tense. 

1. I thought you have bought a new car. 

2. My mother thought my sister has started a new job this week. 

3. She has thought about getting much money when she only worked as a waiter. 

4. My friend hasn’t tought I can do it. 

5. I thought my student’s have improved their English. 

Examples of using Thought as a noun. 

1. I can’t get rid of the thought of afraid him. 

2. After this incident he could not stop Thought about it. 

3. When the night comes, it’s getting harder to avoid this sleepy thought. 

4. Everyone has their own thought for their future. 

5.Although we are different but we have the same thought.

example my dialogue about Though with grace:

Lia : Grace,what do you think ?

Grace : what is that ?

Lia : it's cake.I cook it myself,what do you think ?

Grace : I have to say something seems wrong

Lia : I know right ?but i don't know what's wrong

Grace : it should be a given a little more backing powder

Lia : i thought you would say the cake lacked sugar

Grace : It sweet enough,no need for sugar anymore

Lia : Ok ,Thank you .