EnglishBig city or small town?
Do you prefer living in a big city or a small town? Give two reasons.
- I prefer … because …
- In my opinion, …
- One reason is that …
Opinion phrases
- I believe [/aɪ bɪˈliːv/]
- formal opinion phrase
I believe cities need more parks. - In my opinion [/ɪn maɪ əˈpɪnjən/]
- neutral opinion phrase
In my opinion, small towns are quieter. - As far as I’m concerned [/æz fɑːr æz aɪm kənˈsɜːrnd/]
- neutral personal viewpoint phrase
As far as I’m concerned, public transport is essential. - On the one hand [/ɒn ðə wʌn hænd/]
- neutral phrase for the first side of an argument
On the one hand, cities offer more jobs. - On the other hand [/ɒn ði ˈʌðər hænd/]
- neutral phrase for the contrasting side
On the other hand, they can be expensive. - I agree [/aɪ əˈɡriː/]
- neutral phrase for the same opinion
I agree because it is practical. - I disagree [/aɪ ˌdɪsəˈɡriː/]
- neutral phrase for a different opinion
I disagree; it is not fair. - I’m not sure [/aɪm nɒt ʃʊr/]
- informal phrase for uncertainty
I’m not sure that this is the best solution. - the main reason [/ðə meɪn ˈriːzən/]
- neutral phrase for the most important cause
The main reason is safety. - a benefit [/ə ˈbenɪfɪt/]
- neutral word for an advantage
A benefit is better transport. - a drawback [/ə ˈdrɔːbæk/]
- neutral word for a disadvantage
A drawback is noise. - a solution [/ə səˈluːʃən/]
- neutral word for an answer to a problem
A solution could be more buses.
Notice the meaning
Read and compare these evaluations.
1. This film is so interesting.
2. It is such an interesting film.
3. The film is too long.
4. It isn’t short enough.
5. We have enough time.
Meaning | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
Strong degree | so + adjective/adverb | It’s so hot. |
Strong degree with a noun | such + a/an + adjective + singular noun | It’s such a hot day. |
More than necessary | too + adjective | It’s too hot. |
Sufficient quality | adjective + enough | It’s warm enough. |
Sufficient quantity | enough + noun | We have enough water. |
Meaning check
- So makes an adjective or adverb stronger: so useful, so quickly.
- Such makes a noun phrase stronger: such an interesting book.
- Too usually suggests a problem: too expensive, too difficult.
- Enough means sufficient: easy enough, enough money.
Opinion frame | Complete clause |
|---|---|
I believe that … | I believe that it is useful. |
In my opinion, … | In my opinion, it is useful. |
As far as I’m concerned, … | As far as I’m concerned, it is useful. |
Common mistakes
Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
such interesting film | such an interesting film |
enough warm | warm enough |
water enough | enough water |
too expensive is good | too expensive means more expensive than acceptable |
In my opinion useful. | In my opinion, it is useful. |
Build clear evaluations
Put each argument in a logical order
Arrange the stages of this short opinion about public transport.
Put the ideas in a logical order.
- In my opinion, public transport is important.
- The main reason is that many people need to travel every day.
- A benefit is that buses can reduce traffic.
- A solution could be more frequent bus services.
Follow the contrasting viewpoint
Arrange this argument from the first viewpoint to the final conclusion.
Put the ideas in a logical order.
- On the one hand, smartphones help children contact their families.
- On the other hand, games can distract them from homework.
- I’m not sure that every child needs a smartphone.
- In my opinion, clear family rules are a good solution.
Choose the structure that fits
Choose the best word or phrase for each evaluation.
- The instructions are [___] complicated.
- It is [___] useful app.
- We do not have [___] chairs for everyone.
Complete the evaluations
Type the missing grammar word.
- This bag is [___] heavy to carry.
- The classroom is not quiet [___] for the test.
- It was [___] an interesting discussion that we continued for an hour.
- In my opinion, this plan is [___] simple to work.
Say each completed sentence aloud as an opinion or evaluation. 🗣️
Should children have smartphones?
Should Children Have Smartphones?
Many parents ask whether children should have smartphones. In my opinion, a smartphone can be useful for children over eleven. It can help them contact family, check bus times, and find information for school. On the one hand, this is such an important benefit that parents should consider it carefully. A child may feel safer when they have enough information and a way to call home.
On the other hand, some parents disagree. They believe that smartphones are too distracting. Games and videos can be so interesting that children forget their homework, friends, and sleep. As far as I’m concerned, the problem is not the phone itself; it is how people use it. Children need rules that are clear enough to follow, and parents need enough time to talk about online safety.
- What is the writer’s opinion about smartphones for children over eleven?
- What two practical uses of smartphones does the article mention?
- Why do some parents think smartphones are a problem?
- What solution does the writer suggest for families?
Difficult words
- distracting — making it difficult to concentrate
- benefit — an advantage or positive result
- consider — think carefully about something
- essential — very important or necessary
- online safety — safe behaviour on the internet
- clear enough — easy to understand and follow
- the phone itself — the phone as an object, not the way people use it
Key language to keep
Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
so + adjective/adverb | strong degree | so useful |
such + a/an + adjective + singular noun | strong degree with a noun phrase | such an important benefit |
too + adjective | more than necessary; often a problem | too expensive |
adjective + enough | sufficient quality | clear enough |
enough + noun | sufficient quantity | enough time |
Opinion language by register
- Formal: I believe …
- Neutral: In my opinion … / As far as I’m concerned …
- Neutral contrast: On the one hand … / On the other hand …
- Agreement: I agree. / I disagree. / I’m not sure.
- Evaluation words: the main reason, a benefit, a drawback, a solution
