Speaking Skills: Giving Suggestions and Opinions Effectively

Speaking Skills: Giving Suggestions and Opinions is a vital part of effective communication — whether you’re chatting with a friend, participating in a meeting, or contributing to a group discussion. Developing these skills helps you become a confident and fluent speaker who can share ideas clearly, respectfully, and persuasively.

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Why Giving Suggestions and Opinions Matters

Expressing ideas and giving suggestions builds better interaction, problem-solving, and teamwork. In English, it’s especially crucial to use polite and structured language so your suggestions sound friendly rather than commanding.

Common Phrases for Giving Suggestions

When giving suggestions, aim to sound polite and constructive. Here are some useful expressions:

You could… — “You could try reading aloud every day.”
Why don’t we… — “Why don’t we practice together this weekend?”
How about… — “How about watching English movies to improve vocabulary?”
Maybe you should… — “Maybe you should focus on pronunciation first.”
It might be a good idea to… — “It might be a good idea to take notes while listening.”

Notice that these expressions are suggestive, not commanding. They show empathy and collaboration, which encourages others to respond positively.

Examples of Suggesting in Context

Example conversation:

Alex: I often forget new words after learning them.

Sara: How about keeping a vocabulary journal? It might help you remember better.

Alex: That’s a great idea. I’ll start doing that.

Tip: Notice how Sara’s language is friendly and encouraging, which makes the suggestion easy to accept.

Common Phrases for Giving Opinions

Giving your opinion can be simple, but doing it respectfully in English requires structured expressions. Here are some examples:

I think… — “I think learning grammar helps build confidence.”
In my opinion… — “In my opinion, watching English news improves fluency.”
As far as I’m concerned… — “As far as I’m concerned, practice is the key to communication.”
From my perspective… — “From my perspective, confidence matters more than accuracy.”
I believe… — “I believe we should use simple words when speaking.”

When you give opinions, support them with examples or reasons. This makes your statements sound more confident and credible.

Politeness and Tone

How you speak affects how your message is received. Using polite language shows respect and encourages open communication. Compare these two examples:

Direct: You must speak slower.
Polite: Maybe you could try speaking a little slower.

The second sentence feels more encouraging. Tone matters as much as word choice when expressing opinions or advice.

Practicing Suggestions and Opinions

Here’s an interactive exercise you can try:

Think of a common problem such as “I can’t wake up early.”
Write two suggestions using polite forms.
Write one opinion about why that problem happens.
Practice reading them aloud with natural intonation.

Example responses:

Suggestion 1: You could set multiple alarms.
Suggestion 2: How about sleeping earlier?
Opinion: I think people stay up late because of phone usage.

Differences Between Suggestions and Opinions

Aspect	Giving Suggestions	Giving Opinions
Purpose	To recommend an action or idea.	To express personal thoughts or beliefs.
Common phrases	How about…, Maybe you should…, You could…	I think…, In my opinion…, I believe…
Style	Polite and indirect.	Assertive but respectful.

Advanced Techniques for Fluent Speakers

Once you’re comfortable with basic expressions, try combining suggestions and opinions for natural conversation flow.

Example dialogue:

Emma: We often forget what to say during meetings.

Ryan: I think we should prepare short notes.

Emma: That’s true. Maybe we could also record ourselves to improve delivery.

Here, both speakers balance opinion and suggestion seamlessly, making the dialogue engaging and solution-oriented.

Quick Tips for Better Speaking

Listen actively before giving your opinion.
Use intonation to show interest and openness.
Avoid saying “you should” too often — it can sound bossy.
Encourage feedback with questions like “What do you think?” or “Would that work for you?”

Conclusion

Giving suggestions and opinions in English isn’t just about grammar — it’s about tone, empathy, and clarity. Practice these structures daily, listen to real conversations, and reflect on how others express ideas. With time, you’ll naturally sound confident, respectful, and fluent.

Start applying these techniques in your next English conversation and see how effectively your interactions improve!