I think works, but it wears out fast. Reckon, suppose, doubt, admit, fair enough — these are the words that let you agree, disagree and back down without sounding rude or robotic.
1. What Do You Reckon?
Nate: Blue wall or green?
Sofia: What do you reckon?
Nate: I reckon green. The room's dark.
Sofia: Green it is, then.
Nate: That was easy.
Sofia: You'd already decided.
2. That's a Fair Point
Isa: We should leave at six.
Jun: Six is early.
Isa: The road fills up after seven.
Jun: That's a good point.
Isa: So, six?
Jun: Six. You made your point.
3. Fair Enough, Then
Petra: I'm skipping the party.
Adam: Any reason?
Petra: I've worked eleven days straight.
Adam: Fair enough. Sleep instead.
Petra: That's the plan.
4. I Doubt It
Rafi: Will they finish by Friday?
Wendy: I doubt it.
Rafi: They promised.
Wendy: They promised last month too.
Rafi: So Monday, realistically.
Wendy: Tuesday, realistically.
5. Owning Up
Dev: Someone moved my file.
Anya: I'll admit it. That was me.
Dev: Where is it now?
Anya: Second drawer. I should have asked.
Dev: You should. It's fine.
6. Do You Mind?
Lucia: Do you mind waiting ten minutes?
Karl: I don't mind at all.
Lucia: The doctor's running late.
Karl: They always are.
Lucia: Coffee's free, at least.
Karl: Then I really don't mind.
7. I Suppose So
Milo: Should we tell her tonight?
Greta: I suppose so.
Milo: You don't sound sure.
Greta: I'm not. But waiting is worse.
Milo: Tonight, then.
8. Stating It Plainly
Tariq: The new logo. Honest answer.
Bel: In my opinion, it's too busy.
Tariq: Too busy how?
Bel: Four colours. Two would do.
Tariq: That's useful. Thanks.
Bel: You asked for honest.
Words to know
| reckon | to think or believe (informal) I reckon green. The room's dark. |
| point | one idea in an argument, and a good reason That's a good point. |
| fair enough | all right, I accept your reason Fair enough. Sleep instead. |
| doubt | to think something is probably not true Will they finish by Friday? I doubt it. |
| admit | to say that something bad is true or your fault I'll admit it. That was me. |
| mind | to be bothered or annoyed by something Do you mind waiting ten minutes? |
| suppose | to think something is probably so, without being sure I suppose so. |
| in my opinion | a phrase for introducing what you think In my opinion, it's too busy. |
Quick practice
Complete each sentence with an expression from the lessons.
1. A: Blue wall or green?
B: What do you ________?
2. A: The road fills up after seven.
B: That's a good ________.
3. A: I've worked eleven days straight.
B: ________. Sleep instead.
4. A: Will they finish by Friday?
B: I ________ it.
5. A: Someone moved my file.
B: I'll ________ it. That was me.
6. A: Do you ________ waiting ten minutes?
B: Not at all.
Show the answers
1. reckon 2. point 3. Fair enough 4. doubt 5. admit 6. mind
Common mistakes
Not: In my opinion, I think the logo is too busy.
Say: In my opinion, the logo is too busy.
In my opinion and I think say the same thing. Use one or the other, never both.
Not: I doubt about it.
Say: I doubt it.
Doubt takes the thing straight after it. About belongs with the noun: I have doubts about it.
Not: I don't mind to wait.
Say: I don't mind waiting.
Mind is always followed by the -ing form, never to.
Your turn
Think of something you were asked for an opinion on recently. Say these five things aloud, using the words from this lesson.
- Answer out loud: What do you reckon about working from home?
- Disagree politely with this: Cities are better than villages. Use point.
- Admit one small thing you got wrong this week, using I'll admit.
- Say one thing you doubt will happen this year.
- Give an opinion on your favourite film, starting with In my opinion.
Quick review
Opinions come in three strengths. I suppose so is weak, I reckon is normal, In my opinion is firm. Say the same sentence three ways tonight and listen to how different you sound. Choosing the strength is half of sounding natural.