1
general::
opinion
verbs
have/hold an opinion
• Everyone seemed to have a different opinion. • He holds strong opinions on these issues.
ask somebody (for) their opinion
( also ask for sb’s opinion )
• We asked people for their opinions about the Olympics. • Nobody asked my opinion. • It’s a good idea to ask people for their opinions and suggestions.
give/express an opinion
(= say what your opinion is )
• He gave his opinion only when asked.
voice/state an opinion
written (= give your opinion, especially in a formal situation )
• She has every right to voice her opinion.
form an opinion
(= gradually decide what your opinion is )
• Olson had not yet formed an opinion as to Mark’s reliability.
adjectives
the general opinion
(= the opinion that most people have about something )
• The general opinion seems to be that the government has made a mess of the war.
popular/public opinion
(= what ordinary people think about something )
• How much do newspapers influence popular opinion?
sb’s personal opinion
• My personal opinion is that his first film was better.
strong opinions
• People have strong opinions about this subject.
phrases
have a difference of opinion
(= two people disagree )
• He and Luke had a difference of opinion.
something is a matter of opinion
(= used to say that you disagree, or that people disagree about something )
• "He’s a very nice man." "That’s a matter of opinion," thought Sam.
contrary to popular opinion
(= in spite of what most people think )
• Contrary to popular opinion, many cats dislike milk.
in my humble opinion
(= used when giving your opinion, especially when you want to emphasize what you are about to say )
• In my humble opinion, he is the greatest sportsman Britain has produced.
keep your opinions to yourself
(= not say what you really think )
• As the youngest person there, I knew enough to keep my opinions to myself.
opinion is divided as to/on/over something
(= people have different opinions about it )
• Opinion was divided as to whether the program will work.
everyone is entitled to their opinion
(= used especially when politely disagreeing with what someone says )
• Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I can't accept what he is saying.
COMMON ERRORS
>>> Do not say ' according to my opinion '. Say in my opinion .
>>> Do not say ' say your opinion '. Say give your opinion or express your opinion .
transnet.ir
2
general::
opinion
what you think about something or someone:
• People didn’t usually ask his opinion about anything. • She has rather a low opinion of young people.
view
your opinion about a serious or important issue:
• She has strong views about education. • In my view , footballers are paid too much.
point of view
your opinion, especially when this is influenced by the situation you are in:
• From a farmer’s point of view, foxes are a nuisance. • It all depends on your point of view.
position
the official opinion of a government, political party, or someone in authority:
• The Prime Minister has made his position perfectly clear. • The party has changed its position on nuclear weapons.
attitude
your opinions and feelings about something or someone, especially when this shows in your behaviour:
• My parents and I have very different attitudes to life. • It was his attitude to women that shocked me.
school of thought
an opinion that one group of people have about a subject, especially when this is different from that of another group:
• There is one school of thought that says that coffee is addictive and is therefore a bad thing. • There are two schools of thought on this.
Longman-Thesaurus
5
general::
noun what you think about sb/sth ADJ. good, high | low, poor | strong | conflicting, different, mixed Opinions are mixed regarding genetically-modified food. | honest If you want my honest opinion, I think the book is awful. | expert, informed, professional | considered | personal, subjective | objective | contrary, dissenting | majority | minority | second If in doubt about your diagnosis, get a second opinion. VERB + OPINION entertain, have, hold | air, express, give (sb), offer (sb), pass, state, venture, voice The bishop spoke without passing any opinion on the scandal. | ask sb, seek He asked me for my opinion on the course. | get | form I formed the opinion that he was not to be trusted. | change OPINION + VERB change | differ, vary Opinions differ as to when this wine should be drunk. PREP. in your ~ In my opinion, golf is a dull sport. | ~ about/on She holds strong opinions on education. | ~ as to opinions as to the merits of the scheme | ~ of He has a very high opinion of your work. PHRASES be of the opinion that … (formal) (= to believe or think that), a difference of opinion a genuine difference of opinion between the experts | in my humble opinion (humorous), a matter of opinion ‘London is wonderful.’ ‘That's a matter of opinion.’ what people in general think about sth ADJ. prevailing | general, popular, public Contrary to popular opinion, many adult cats dislike milk. | international, local, national | expert, informed, professional | academic, legal, medical, political QUANT. body This view is supported by a growing body of professional opinion. VERB + OPINION mould, shape attempts to shape public opinion OPINION + VERB be against sth, be in favour of sth Prevailing local opinion is against the new road proposals. | be divided Public opinion is divided on the subject of capital punishment. OPINION + NOUN poll | former, leader PREP. ~ among Opinion among doctors is that the medication is safe. PHRASES climate of opinion in the present climate of opinion | shades of opinion all shades of political opinion
Oxford Collocations Dictionary