GIVING OPINIONS AND DISCUSSING LIKES AND DISLIKES

1. G I V I N G O P I N I O N S A N D
D I S C U S S I N G L I K E S A N D D I S L I K E S
AGREE AND DISAGREE
TO SUGGESTIONS
COURTEOUSLY
Source:
www.ramos.utfsm.cl/doc/212/sc/Debates
.ppt

2. I THINK ITALIAN FOOD IS FANTASTIC!!
• Yes, you are right.
• Isn't it a little difficult to prepare?
• Yes, It ´s marvelous.
• I don't really agree with you.
• Do you?
• Especially pizzas.
What do you think?
Choose and practice the answer to give your opinion

3. AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THE
FOLLOWING TOPICS
• Example:
A: Cold in here, isn´it?
B: Is it? I really think it's too hot.
1. I think we should /∫ud/ cancel the
whole project right now.
2. I think we should move production
to a country where labor costs are
cheaper.
3. My Volkswagen is very reliable.
/rilaiabl/
4. This wine is very good.
5. I think SuperAudit should audit
/odit/ our accounts next year.
Answers
• Yes, you are right
• I don't really agree with you. I
think…
• Do you? I think…
• Is it? I think…
Give your opinion to each of the situations. Do you agree or disagree?

4. LISTEN AND WATCH
• http://abcasiapacific.com/businessenglish/stories/s14654
86.htm

5. GIVING AN OPINION OF
AGREEMENT OR DISAGREEMENT.
Example:
A: How do you feel about the stray dogs of
Valparaiso?
B: Well, if you ask me, the stray dogs are a big
problem.
A: Why do you think that?
B: They are malnourished, hungry, sick, and so
sad.
A: That’s a good point.

6. MAKE UP CONVERSATIONS
Example:
A: How do you feel about the stray
dogs of Valparaiso?
B: Well, if you ask me, the stray dogs
are a big problem.
A: Why do you think that?
B: They are malnourished, hungry,
sick, and so sad.
A: That’s a good point.
Talk about…
Stray dogs
Capital punishment
Marriage
Gambling
Violence on TV and in movies
Any other topic
• Giving opinions
If you ask me…
Don’t you agree that…?
You know what I think? I think
that…
• Agreement
Exactly.
I couldn’t agree more.
That’s exactly what I think.
That’s a good point.
• Disagreement
I’m not sure if I agree.
Maybe, but don’t you think
that..?

7. AGREEING OR DISAGREEING
• Example:
A: Don’t you agree that learning English is
pointless! (1)
B: I’m not sure if I agree – I think it’s probably a
good thing to do.
A: Why do you say that?
B: Well, because English is a world language –
you need it to communicate with people from
other countries.
A: That’s a good point.

8. AGREEING AND DISAGREEING
• Example:
A: Don’t you agree that learning English is
pointless! (1)
B: I’m not sure if I agree – I think it’s
probably a good thing to do.
A: Why do you say that?
B: Well, because English is a world
language – you need it to communicate
with people from other countries.
A: That’s a good point.
Talk about: (1)
“Learning English is pointless.”
“Marriage is out of date.”
“This university is the best one in Chile.”
“The Simpsons is the most intelligent
show on TV today”
• Giving opinions
If you ask me…
Don’t you agree that…?
You know what I think? I think
that…
• Agreement
Exactly.
I couldn’t agree more.
That’s exactly what I think.
That’s a good point.
I think so, too
• Disagreement
I’m not sure if I agree.
Maybe, but don’t you think that..?
I wouldn’t say that.

9. FIND THE MISTAKES
One is correct, but the others have mistakes
1 That's interesting, but I'm not sure if I am agree.
2 I think you might have right.
3 Exactly. Now, are you all agree?
4 I think you are right.
5 I'm not sure I disagree.
6 OK. Do we all agreed now?
7 I don't entirely agree

10. RIGHT ANSWERS
1 That's interesting, but I'm not sure if I agree.
2 I think you might be right.
3 Exactly. Now, Do you all agree?
4 I think you are right.
5 I'm not sure If I agree.
6 OK. Do we all agree now?
7 I ‘m not entirely agree

11. ISSUE:
TELEVISION PLAYS A POSITIVE ROLE IN
SOCIETY
• Expressions
• Well, from my point of view…
• Don’t you think that…?
• What about you?
• What’s your reaction to that?
• Would you like to add anything?
• In spite of this, …
• For instance…
• As a matter of fact…
• Even so…
• What’s more…
• Because of this…
• To put it simply…
• Unless we…, we won’t…
• That sounds like a good idea,
but…
• I’m not really sure…
• If you ask me…
• Don’t you agree that…?
• You know what I think? I think
that…
• I’m not sure if I agree.
• Maybe, but don’t you think that..?
Pro :
Well, from my point of view
television is now playing a
very important role in our lives.
Con:
Don’t you think that
television is a great time waster.

12. ACTIVITY:
• Pick up one argument from the pile.
• Decide if it is an con or pro argument.
• Move to the con or pro corner.
• Share your argument with your partners.
• Complete your arguments with a possible expression of
agreement or disagrement.
• Share your arguments with the class.

13. PART 1: WITH YOUR PARTNER, THINK OF AT
LEAST ONE STRONG REASON FOR EACH
RESOLUTION
• 1. Women should quit their job after they get married.
REASON:
2. Love is more important than money.
REASON:
3. It is better to be married than single.
REASON:
4. Writing by hand is better than writing by computer.
REASON:
Part 2: Now Compare Your Reasons with Another
Pair and Decide Whose Reasons are Stronger and Why

14. WAYS TO STATE REASONS:
• . Comparison: X is _____ er than Y.
OR: X is more _____ than Y.
• Cause-and-effect:
X causes Y.
OR: If you do X, then Y will happen.

15. AHow to Agree Strongly with an Opinion.
1. I couldn't agree more!
2. That's absolutely true!
3. Absolutely!
4. I agree with your point.
5. I'd go along with you there.
6. I'm with you on that.
7. That's just what I was thinking.
8. That's exactly what I think.
9. That's a good point.
10. That's just how I see it.
11. That's exactly my opinion.
B. How to Half Agree with an Opinion.
1. Yes, perhaps, however ...
2. Well, yes, but ...
3. Yes, in a way, however ...
4. Hmm, possibly, but ...
5. Yes, I agree up to a point, however ...
6. Well, you have a point there, but ...
7. There's something there, I suppose, however.
8. I guess you could be right, but ...
9. Yes, I suppose so, however ...
10. That's worth thinking about, but ...
C. How to Disagree Politely with an Opinion.
1. I am not so sure.
2. Do you think so?
3. Well, it depends.
4. I'm not so certain.
5. Well, I don't know.
6. Well, I'm not so sure about that.
7. Hmm, I'm not sure you're right.
8. I'm inclined to disagree with that.
9. No, I don't think so.
D. How to Disagree Strongly with an Opinion.
1. I disagree.
2. I disagree with your idea.
3. I'm afraid I don't agree.
4. I'm afraid your idea is wrong.
5. I can't agree with you.
6. I couldn't accept that for a minute.
7. You can't actually mean that.
8. I wouldn't go along with you there.
9. You can't be serious about that.
10. You must be joking.
11. It's possible you are mistaken about that.

16. MINI DEBATE WITH YOUR PARTNER,
One of you will be the pro-side and one the con-side,
The pro-side is responsible for introducing the topic.
The topic will be: Ex " a tree is more important than a car“
Then the pro-side has one minute to make arguments for his/her side.
The con-side has one minute to make arguments for his/her side.
The students in the class have to decide if they agree
or disagree with the debaters and get together for
arguments.

17. A TREE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN A
CAR
• I AGREE
TREES are more important:
• Trees are good for the
environment
• Cars pollute the
environment
• Trees prevent erosion.
• Trees are beautiful.
• I DISAGREE
CARS are more important:
• Cars are necessary for
transportation.
• Cars contribute to
business development
and commerce.

18. DISAGREE AGREE
• I'm afraid I'm not
convinced.
I don't entirely agree.
I'm not sure about that.
I can't agree with you
there.
I don't think that's quite
correct.
• I agree
• In that case, I agree.
• I'll go along with you.
• I couldn't agree more.
• That's right.
• I concur.
• Absolutely!
Ex " a tree is more important than a car"

19. SO DO I / NEITHER DO I / ETC
• I’m very interested in
archaeology.
• I can’t stand waiting in
airports.
• My friends and I play
tennis a lot.
• I’ll be going to the south
of Chile in Dec.
• I don’t believe in
politicians.
• So am I.
• Neither can I.
• So do we.
• So will I.
• Neither do I.

20. TO AGREE WITH A POSITIVE
STATEMENT:
• We use so + auxiliarymodal verb + pronoun:
• "I like tea without sugar.'
'So do I.'
• To agree with a positive statement:
• We use nor/neither + auxiliarymodal verb + pronoun:
• "I don't like tea with sugar.'
'Nor do I.' or 'Neither do I.'
• To disagree with a positive statement:
• We use pronoun + auxiliarymodal verb + not (-n't):
• "I like tea without sugar.'
'I don't.'
• To disagree with a negative statement:
• We use pronoun + auxiliarymodal verb:
• "I don't like tea with sugar.'
'I do.

21. S0 / NEITHER
• Example: I’m tired. So am I.
I didn’t like Jurassic Park.
I can’t stand people who are rude.
I should really exercise more.
I’ve never been to Fiji.
I like going to the movies.
I usually go on vacation somewhere in the
summer.

22. PRELIMINARY PRACTICE
AGREEING
Exercise 1
Student 1 : I like spaghetti.
Student 2: So do I. I don't like snakes.
Student 3: Nor do I. I like playing tennis.
Student 4 : ?
Exercise 2
Student 1 : I've been to Rio.
Student 2: So have I. I have never done karate
Student 3: Nor have I. I have canoed in a river.
Student 4: ?

23. 1. Practice the dialogs and choose one topic for
discussion in class, or get another topic of your interest.
2. Choose another topic from slides 8 and 9 make up a
conversation with your partner and voice record the
dialog. Send the recording to the teacher by mail.
Homework

24. Tom: Well, Ken, if you ask me, there’s too much violence on television.
Ken: I’m not sure if I agree with you. I’ve never read anything about that.
Tom: Ken, it’s common sense. The point is, if you keep seeing shootings and
muggings, you won’t care if it happens on your street.
Mary: I think that’s interesting but…I’ve never met anyone who is apathetic
about violence.
Tom: Oh, I’m sorry, I don’t see what you mean. Would you mind explaining that
point
Mary: Let me put it another way, Tom. The people on my street – they’re not
influenced by what happens on TV.
Sue: Oh, but people may care about violence on their street, but not about
violence in general.
Ken: Wouldn’t you say that TV is just a passive way of letting off steam?
Sue: Oh, Ken, that’s exactly what I mean! People watching violence to cool off
proves my point – they get used to violence!
Mary: I think that’s a good point, Sue. I mean, Ken, don’t you see what she’s
saying?
Sue: Yes! There’s got to be a better way to cool off!
Mary: I agree.
Ken: So do I. Anyway, I don’t like TV very much.
Sue: (laughs) Neither do I! It’s boring.
Mary: That’s true! Why argue about it?

25. • In your dialogue, be sure to
include this language:
• Well, from my point of view…
• Don’t you think that…?
• What about you?
• What’s your reaction to that?
• Would you like to add anything?
• In spite of this, …
• For instance…
• As a matter of fact…
• Even so…
• What’s more…
• Because of this…
• To put it simply…
• Unless we…, we won’t…
• That sounds like a good idea,
but…
• I’m not really sure…
• If you ask me…
• Don’t you agree that…?
• You know what I think? I think
that…
• I’m not sure if I agree.
• Maybe, but don’t you think that..?