“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.”

Daniel Patrick Moynihan, an American politician, sociologist, and diplomat

Which words do you use talking about your opinion? Chances are that “I think” is a phrase which oftentimes helps you to start. It’s perfectly OK, but there so many other good options! Just remember that, when choosing an opinion word or phrase, you need to keep the degree of formality in mind. Thus, writing academic essays, you might like to avoid “I” since it sounds quite informal. But in daily conversations the neutral expressions listen below will come in handy.

NEUTRAL VOCABULARY

• In my opinion: In my opinion, this book is interesting.
• From my point of view: From my point of view, we should discuss it in detail.
• Based on what I know: Based on what I know, this approach is right.
• I am convinced/certain: I am convinced that he is a decent man.
• Speaking for myself/persoanlly: Speaking for myself, I am ready to move to a different city. But I cannot be sure about Ray.
• I am confident: I am confident that we’ll cope with the task.
• To my mind: To my mind, it should be done quickly.
• To suggest that: The facts suggest that we are on the right way.
• From my standpoint/perspective: From my standpoint, it’s ridiculous.
• By my reckoning: By my reckoning, we are not so far from the center (my calculation may be not exact). 
• I reckon (informal): I reckon we’re almost there.
• In my humble opinion (humorous): In my humble opinion, you are wrong.
• I would say that: I would say that now is the right time.
• To be under the impression that: I was under the impression that Tom was hiding something (but I was wrong).
• I have no doubt that: I have no doubt that you will pass the exam.
• No doubt: I will no doubt prove that I can do it.
• I guess: I guess you are tired.
• It goes without saying: It goes without saying that we are always ready to help our customers.
• In my eye(s): In my eyes, you are the best person in the world.
• As far as I’m concerned: As far as I am concerned, there should be tougher punishments for drunk drivers.
• As for me: He likes fish. As for me, meat is better.
• I bet (informal): I bet he’s a teacher. It’s in the way he talks.
• I dare say that: I dare say that you should be more interested in what you do.
• I gather that: I gather that it’s going to rain.
• From what I can gather: From what I can gather, he loves her.
• If you ask me: If you ask me, she is a bad mother.
• To be honest/frank: To be honest, I don’t know what you mean.
• Frankly speaking: Frankly speaking, I don’t want to go to university.
• To tell you the truth: To tell you the truth, I don’t understand you.

FORMAL VOCABULARY

• To believe: Experts believe that the coming drought will be extensive.
• To strongly believe: We strongly believe that the policy should be established.
• It would seem that: It would seem that the medical community continues to make progress in the fight against cancer.
• It could be argued that: It could be argued that he is unfit to stand trial.
• To be of the opinion that: They are of the opinion that this will do him good.

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