Opinion
We use opinion as a noun to mean beliefs or judgements about someone or something. When it refers to the beliefs or judgements of individuals, it is countable:
- I’ve never agreed with Chris’s opinion on taxation.
- A lot of people have strong opinions about bullfighting. (referring to their individual opinions)
When it refers to the beliefs or judgements of a group of people, opinion is usually uncountable:
- The government is worried about public opinion.
We use phrases such as in my opinion, in your opinion, in Peter’s opinion to show whose opinion we are referring to:
- In Maria’s opinion*, we paid too much.*
We often introduce ideas, especially in writing, with the phrase in my opinion:
- In my opinion*, there are too many cars on the road with just one person in them.*
- Not:
On my opinion/To my opinion/According to me/In my point of view
warning
We don’t use in my opinion and I think together:
- In my opinion*, she’s wasting her time.*
- Not:
In my opinion I think she’s wasting her time.
The phrases It is my opinion that … and I am of the opinion that … are more formal:
- It is my opinion that everyone should have free healthcare.
- I am of the opinion that the Prime Minister should resign.
See also
- According to