Stop Saying “I Think” - Powerful Phrases For Your Opinions

Summary

In this lesson, teacher Tiffany introduces nine powerful phrases to replace the common phrase 'I think' when sharing opinions in English. These alternatives, such as 'In my experience,' 'From what I've observed,' and 'I'm convinced that,' help learners sound more confident, professional, and credible. Tiffany explains the subtle nuances and impactful changes that occur by using these phrases, providing practical examples to demonstrate their power. By mastering these expressions, English learners can enhance their communication skills, making their opinions stand out more effectively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Using alternatives to 'I think' makes your English sound more confident and professional.
• 😀 'In my experience' is a great way to show you're speaking from personal knowledge, making your opinion more credible.
• 😀 'From what I've observed' suggests you've witnessed something firsthand, giving your opinion more authority.
• 😀 'It seems that' sounds more objective and analytical, giving a stronger impact to your opinion.
• 😀 'I've found that' implies you've conducted research or gained knowledge through experience, adding weight to your statement.
• 😀 'I'm convinced that' expresses a strong belief, showing confidence in your opinion.
• 😀 'Based on my research' provides a foundation for your opinion, showing that it’s backed by actual investigation.
• 😀 'My perspective is' sounds more professional and stronger than simply saying 'I think'.
• 😀 'I've concluded that' suggests you've made a decision after careful consideration, adding a sense of finality to your opinion.
• 😀 'From my understanding' reflects humility, acknowledging that your view is based on what you've learned without claiming absolute certainty.

Q & A

Why do English learners commonly say 'I think' in their sentences when expressing opinions?

English learners often say 'I think' because it feels like a safe and neutral way to introduce personal opinions, but native speakers tend to use more varied expressions that sound more confident and natural.

What is the advantage of using the phrase 'In my experience' instead of 'I think'?

'In my experience' is stronger because it implies that the opinion is based on personal knowledge or experience, making it more credible and confident than simply saying 'I think'.

How does the phrase 'From what I've observed' improve the credibility of an opinion?

'From what I've observed' shows that the speaker is offering an opinion based on actual observations, making the statement feel more grounded in reality and supporting the opinion with real evidence.

Why is 'It seems that' considered more objective than 'I think'?

'It seems that' sounds more analytical and less personal, suggesting the speaker is considering the situation from a more detached or logical perspective, which can make the opinion seem more impartial.

What does the phrase 'I've found that' imply about the speaker's opinion?

'I've found that' suggests that the speaker has conducted some research or gained knowledge through experience, adding weight and authority to the opinion.

What is the significance of using the phrase 'I'm convinced that' in an opinion?

'I'm convinced that' indicates a strong belief or certainty in the opinion, showing that the speaker has a high level of conviction and confidence in their perspective.

Why is 'Based on my research' a stronger phrase than 'I think'?

'Based on my research' adds credibility by suggesting that the speaker's opinion is backed by actual data or investigation, making it seem more reliable and factual.

How does the phrase 'My perspective is' improve the tone of an opinion?

'My perspective is' sounds more professional and objective, signaling that the opinion is a personal view while also implying that there are other possible perspectives.

What is the purpose of using 'I've concluded that' when expressing an opinion?

'I've concluded that' suggests that the speaker has carefully thought through the matter and arrived at a final decision after considering all the information, which makes the opinion seem more thoughtful and well-considered.

How does the phrase 'From my understanding' show humility in expressing an opinion?

'From my understanding' implies that the speaker acknowledges the possibility of other viewpoints or incomplete knowledge, making the opinion sound more humble and open to other interpretations.