The Best Professional Connectors to Explain Your Opinions in English

Summary

This video lesson helps English learners structure and confidently express their opinions in both professional and social settings. It emphasizes the importance of using connectors like 'because', 'since', and 'due to' to explain reasoning clearly and persuasively. The lesson introduces a three-step structure for sharing opinions: stating the opinion, explaining the reason, and concluding with reinforcement or inviting discussion. It also covers connectors for cause, result, purpose, and adding additional reasons. By the end, learners will be able to speak more confidently, avoid hesitation, and express themselves in a more professional manner.

Takeaways

• 😀 Clear structure improves your ability to express opinions confidently in English.
• 😀 The three-step structure for expressing opinions includes: stating your opinion, explaining why, and concluding or inviting further discussion.
• 😀 Connectors such as 'because', 'since', and 'due to' help explain why you have a certain opinion and make your ideas clearer.
• 😀 Using connectors strengthens your reasoning and enhances the flow of your opinion.
• 😀 Confidence in explaining your opinion makes it more persuasive and professional.
• 😀 Practice using a variety of connectors to express causality, purpose, and add additional reasons.
• 😀 'Because' is a common connector, but there are more formal options like 'due to' and 'because of'.
• 😀 Purpose connectors such as 'in order to', 'to', and 'so that' help explain why you did something or why you made a decision.
• 😀 Adding extra reasons using connectors like 'also', 'plus', or 'on top of that' can strengthen your argument and make your opinion more compelling.
• 😀 Always ensure that connectors like 'due to' and 'because of' are followed by a noun (e.g., 'due to traffic').

Q & A

Why might someone struggle to express their opinion in English during a conversation?

Someone might struggle to express their opinion in English because they don't have the right connectors in place. This can result in their thoughts feeling scattered and unclear, making it harder to explain the reasoning behind their perspective.

How can connectors improve the flow of an opinion?

Connectors help structure the opinion by explaining the reasoning behind it. Words like 'because', 'since', and 'due to' help make the opinion clearer, more logical, and persuasive, leading to a stronger and more confident explanation.

What is the three-step process to structure an opinion in English?

The three-step process to structure an opinion in English includes: 1) Clearly stating your opinion, 2) Explaining why you have that opinion using connectors, and 3) Wrapping up with a conclusion or inviting further discussion.

What are some sentence starters commonly used to express an opinion in English?

Common sentence starters to express an opinion include 'I believe', 'I think', 'I would say', and 'I feel'. These help introduce your perspective in a clear and confident way.

Why are connectors important in explaining the reasoning behind an opinion?

Connectors are important because they provide clarity and structure. They help explain why a person holds a certain opinion, making the reasoning more transparent and helping the listener follow the thought process easily.

What is the difference between 'due to' and 'because of'?

'Due to' is more formal and is typically used in written or professional contexts, whereas 'because of' is more common in everyday speech. Both are used to show cause but 'due to' is usually followed by a noun, while 'because of' can be followed by a noun or a clause.

Can you give an example of using 'since' to explain the reason for an opinion?

An example would be, 'Since the sun is shining, let's go to the park.' Here, 'since' is used because the reason for the decision is already clear and obvious.

How do purpose connectors like 'in order to' and 'so that' help explain decisions?

Purpose connectors like 'in order to' and 'so that' explain the intention behind a decision. 'In order to' is more formal, while 'so that' emphasizes the desired outcome of the action taken.

How does 'so' differ from 'so that' in expressing results?

'So' is used to indicate a consequence or result, whereas 'so that' emphasizes the purpose or intended outcome. For example, 'I studied hard so I passed the exam' vs. 'I studied hard so that I could pass the exam.'

What are some ways to add additional reasons to an opinion?

To add more reasons to an opinion, you can use connectors like 'another reason is', 'plus', 'also', and 'on top of that'. These connectors help expand and reinforce your argument by presenting multiple supporting points.