What is opinion? Pronunciation and usage in English

opinion means . Learn how to pronounce and use opinion through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of opinion

opinionnoun

/əˈpɪnjən/
Definition & pronunciation of opinion

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "opinion" in English. Here's a breakdown:

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) – The most accurate:

  • /ˈoʊpɪnən/

Let's break that down further:

  • ˈoʊ – This is the stressed syllable. It sounds like "oh" (like in "dough").
  • pɪ – This sounds like "pity," with a quick dipthong (a glide from one sound to another).
  • n – A standard "n" sound.
  • ˈen – This is the unstressed syllable. It's a very short, quick "en" sound, almost like it’s disappearing.

How it sounds (in simpler terms):

Think of it as: "oh-pin-en"

  • Pay close attention to the stressed "oh" sound and make it prominent.
  • The "en" at the end is very quick and light.

Tips for saying it correctly:

  • Stress: The most common mistake is not stressing the first syllable. Focus on making the "oh" sound clear and loud.
  • Dipthong: Practice the "pɪ" sound. It’s a smooth transition between two vowel sounds.
  • Quick "en": Don't linger on the "en" – it should be very brief.

Resources for Hearing:

  • Google: Just type "how to pronounce opinion" into Google and you'll find audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/opinion/ – This website has pronunciations from native speakers.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences to say "opinion"?

Usage and examples with the word opinion in English

Let's break down how to use the word "opinion" in English. It’s a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its uses, with examples:

1. As a Noun (The core meaning: a belief or judgment)

  • Definition: An opinion is a belief about something, often based on personal feelings or judgment, rather than on facts. It's what you think about something.
  • Examples:
    • "I have a strong opinion about climate change." (Referring to a belief)
    • "What's your opinion on the new movie?" (Asking for a judgment)
    • "He formed a negative opinion of her after the argument." (Describing a judgement)
    • “It’s just my opinion, but I think that’s a terrible idea.” (Adding a disclaimer)

2. As a Verb (To express a belief or judgment)

  • Definition: To “opine” means to express an opinion, often formally or authoritatively. It can sometimes suggest a slightly detached or critical tone.
  • Examples:
    • “The expert opined that the evidence was inconclusive.” (Formal expression of a judgment)
    • “She opined that the politician was dishonest.” (Expressing a judgement about someone)
    • “Don’t just state your opinion; back it up with reasons.” (Giving advice on how to express a belief)

3. Phrases Using "Opinion"

  • "In my opinion...": This is a very common and polite way to introduce your opinion.
    • "In my opinion, the restaurant serves the best pizza in town."
  • "It is my opinion...": More formal than "In my opinion."
    • "It is my opinion that this policy needs to be revised."
  • "People have different opinions...": Used to acknowledge that opinions vary.
    • "People have different opinions about the best way to learn a language."
  • "He/She has a strong opinion on...": Indicates someone holds a firm belief.
    • "He has a strong opinion on animal rights."
  • "I respect your opinion, even if I don't agree.": Shows you value someone’s point of view, even if you have a different one.

4. Using "Opinion" with Qualifiers – Adding Nuance

You often want to add words to your opinion to make it more specific or cautious. Here are some helpful words:

  • Strong opinion: A very firm belief. "I have a strong opinion that we should invest in renewable energy."
  • Weak opinion: A less certain belief. "My weak opinion is that it might rain tomorrow."
  • Personal opinion: Emphasizes that it’s your individual view. “This is just my personal opinion, but…”
  • Private opinion: A view you don’t necessarily want to share publicly. “I have a private opinion about that matter.”
  • Qualified opinion: An opinion that is based on specific conditions. “With qualified opinion, I believe this project could succeed.”

5. Important Considerations:

  • Respectful Disagreement: It’s perfectly okay to disagree with someone’s opinion. You can acknowledge their viewpoint while stating your own. “I understand your opinion, but I see it differently…”
  • Distinguishing Opinions from Facts: It’s crucial to differentiate between what is a factual statement and what is a personal opinion. "The sky is blue" is a fact. "The sky looks beautiful" is an opinion.
  • Context Matters: The way you use "opinion" will depend on the situation and your audience.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you hoping to use "opinion" for specifically? (e.g., writing an essay, having a conversation, giving feedback?)

Synonyms for the word opinion

Idioms of the word opinion

be of the opinion that…
(formal)to believe or think that…
  • We are strongly of the opinion that great caution should be exercised in dealing with this matter.
your considered opinion
your opinion that is the result of careful thought
  • It is my considered opinion that you are wrong.
have a good, bad, high, low, etc. opinion of somebody/something
to think that somebody/something is good, bad, etc.
  • The boss has a very high opinion of her.

Practice with vocabulary opinion

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate word.

  1. In my professional _________, the proposed marketing strategy lacks a clear target demographic.
  2. Looking at the issue from a different _________ can often reveal new solutions that were previously overlooked.
  3. After reviewing the data, the committee formed a unanimous _________ on the feasibility of the project.
  4. The project manager's initial _________ of the risks proved to be remarkably accurate, saving the team valuable resources.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

Select all correct answers for each question.

  1. Which of the following best describes a personal judgment or belief about something, not necessarily based on fact or proof? a) fact b) opinion c) evidence d) truth

  2. When presenting a formal report, it is crucial to distinguish between verifiable facts and subjective _________. a) data b) viewpoints c) opinions d) statistics

  3. The CEO asked for everyone's _________ on the new policy, encouraging open discussion and diverse ideas. a) feedback b) instructions c) opinions d) orders

  4. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, he held a strong _________ that the market would recover quickly. a) doubt b) conviction c) assumption d) certainty

  5. Before making a final decision, it's wise to seek professional _________ from an expert in the field. a) sentiment b) guidance c) assessment d) recommendation

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions provided.

  1. Rewrite the sentence using the word "opinion": I think that the new software will significantly improve efficiency.

  2. Rewrite the sentence using a related form of "opinion": There was disagreement among the team members regarding the best approach.

  3. Rewrite the sentence without using the word "opinion" or its related forms: Many people believe that hybrid work models are the future.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. opinion
  2. perspective
  3. opinion
  4. assessment

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) opinion
  2. b) viewpoints, c) opinions
  3. a) feedback, c) opinions
  4. b) conviction, c) assumption
  5. b) guidance, d) recommendation

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. In my opinion, the new software will significantly improve efficiency.
  2. There was a difference of opinion among the team members regarding the best approach.
  3. Many people hold the view that hybrid work models are the future.

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