Stop saying - I think

Stop saying I think

Hi, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Speaking English is way easier than it seems! You just have to use the right material and techniques.

Do you often find yourself saying “I think” in a conversation? Well, today I’ll teach you some new expressions that will enrich your English vocabulary and make you sound smarter.

Remember! You can get the transcript of this episode at speakenglishpodcast.com.

Ok. Let’s get started!

Hey, everybody! I’m back with a new episode.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t record a new episode last week because I had a cold. So, how are you? I hope you’re okay. Leave some comments on Facebook, on my YouTube channel, or on my website to let me know how you’re doing.

Let’s start with today’s topic.

When we learn a new language, and we don’t yet master much vocabulary, so we tend to repeat the same expressions over and over again.

And even if people understand what you say, if you want to sound more like a native speaker, you need to expand your English vocabulary.

For example, as an English teacher, I have noticed that some English students tend to abuse the phrase “I think”. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing terrible about starting a conversation like that, but it’s always better to learn new expressions.

So, instead of repeating, “I think,” just give your opinion and say: “In my opinion.”

For example:

1)”In my opinion, you should stop memorizing grammar rules and listen to easy English audios.”

“Tom likes you too much, in my opinion.”

As you can see, we can either place the expression at the beginning of a sentence or at the end.

Another way to start a conversation is by using the expression “If you ask me.”

2) “If you ask me

Don’t take this sentence literally. You can use this expression even though no one’s asked you your opinion. It’s just another way of saying what you think without using the word “think.”

Example:

“If you ask me, he doesn’t seem like a reliable worker.”

“She’s just a bit crazy if you ask me.”

3) Instead of saying, “I think,” just say, “The way I see it.”

As you probably guessed, we don’t use this expression literally. It has nothing to do with someone’s ability to see something. We use it to give our opinion.

Example:

“The way I see it, you should get a job as soon as possible.”

“It’s the best thing that could ever happen to you, the way I see it.”

4) Another great expression would be, “As far as I can see / As far as I’m concerned.”

Example:

“As far as I can see, he has done nothing wrong yet.” “That’s your own problem, as far as I can see.”

“He can leave anywhere he wants as far as I’m concerned.”

5) And if you want to be really honest about something, start your sentence by saying: “I honestly believe.”

Examples:

“I honestly believe that she’s not the right candidate for this position.”

“I honestly believe the worst is over.”

“Do you honestly believe he’s gonna quit his job?”

Tell things from your point of view: 6) From my point of view

“From my point of view, you already have enough money.”

“He has already done enough damage, from my point of view.”

“It’s a great idea, from my point of view, to go on vacation next summer.”

7) I assume

When you assume something, you accept something to be true without question or proof.

Examples:

“I assume David’s not coming to the meeting.”

“You already invited him to the wedding, I assume.”

8) I consider

“Although no progress has been made, I consider the outcome is positive.”

“I consider she helped her family to overcome their financial difficulties.”

9)It seems to me

Examples:

“It seems to me that he’s not an honest guy.”

“It seems to me that things are gonna change very soon.”

10) As far as I can tell.

We use this expression to tell someone what you believe to be true, based on what you’ve learned so far.

Examples:

As far as I can tell, you’re not in a position to ask for explanations.

“He’s a good father, as far as I can tell.”

Let’s listen to the expressions one more time: 1. In my opinion

1. If you ask me

2. The way I see it

3. As far as I can see/as I’m concerned 5. I honestly believe

4. From my point of view

5. I assume

6. I consider

7. It seems to me

10.As far as I can tell

Now we’ve come to the most exciting moment of the episode. Yes, I got a mini story for you so you can practice your speaking.

Mini Story

(Improve your Speaking)

What’s a mini-story?

A mini-story is very simple. I give you information using phrases, and then I ask you questions.

After each question, there will be some seconds of silence: it’s your turn to answer the question!

Just try to give an easy and short answer, not a complex one.

After you answer, I’ll give you the correct answer.

This process will continue, and little by little, I will be telling a story using questions and answers.

Are you ready?

Today’s mini-story is about Susan. She’s very stressed out with her wedding preparations, and she’s just venting to her best friend.

Venting? What does that mean?

When you vent, you let something out, whether it’s hot air or your feelings. If you vent your feelings, you let out strong and sometimes angry emotion and just say whatever you think.

Ok, let’s start!

In my opinion, this is a complete disaster.

Do you consider this a disaster?

Yes, in my opinion, it is a complete disaster.

Is it a complete disaster or just a partial disaster?

A complete disaster. It is a complete disaster.

If you ask me, my fiancé shouldn’t ask me to stop complaining about it.

Should Tom ask you to stop complaining?

If you ask me, He shouldn’t do that. He shouldn’t ask me to stop complaining. I like complaining!

Who shouldn’t ask you to stop complaining?

My fiancé. He shouldn’t ask me that! I am his princess!

The way I see it, it’s good to express my feelings.

According to you, is it wrong to express your feelings?

No, no. Not wrong! The way I look at it, it’s good! It’s liberating!

¿What’s good?

To express my feelings. It’s good to express one’s feelings.

I honestly believe we live in a society where we can’t be ourselves.

¿Do you believe that in today’s society, we can be ourselves?

No, no. I honestly believe that we can’t. We can’t be ourselves in this society.

¿In what kind of society we live according to you?

In a society where we can’t be ourselves, and that’s a shame, but let me tell you my problem.

From my point of view, my fiancé doesn’t care about the color of the flowers for the wedding.

Does your fiancé care about the type of flowers?

No, it’s not that. From my point of view, he doesn’t care about the color of the flowers. I like them yellow, but he doesn’t care.

¿Who doesn’t care?

My fiancé. He doesn’t care. He says the color of the flowers isn’t that important.

To me, it seems that my fiancé doesn’t pay too much attention to these details.

Who doesn’t your fiancé pay too much attention to?

To me, he doesn’t pay too much attention to these details.

Does your fiancé pay attention to the smallest detail of your wedding?

No. Not at all. He doesn’t pay too much attention, but it’s important to me.

I assume we are a team, and we need to decide everything together.

Do you assume you and your fiancé are part of a football team?

No, no. I don’t assume that. I assume that we are a team, and we need to decide everything together.

What do you and your fiancé have to decide? Just the color of the flowers?

Not only that. We need to decide everything together.

As far as I can see, I seem to be bothering my fiancé.

Do you think you’re bothering him?

As far as I can see, I seem to bother him.

¿Who seems to be bothered by you?

My fiancé. I think he is annoyed by my constant and endless requests and questions about the wedding. I just want it to be perfect.

“So… Ehhh… Are you even listening to me?”

Poor Susan, it turns out not even her friend was paying attention to her. However, it’s always good for Susan to express her feelings, and I guess she didn’t expect a solution to her problems anyway.

Sometimes we just need to vent our problems. :) Perfect! It’s the end of this mini-story. And as you can see, through questions and answers, you can practice and improve your speech just like in a real conversation.

Let me ask you something. Is my podcast helping you with your English?

Though the podcast is a useful resource, because of time limitations, I can hardly develop these lessons, although they allow you to try out my method.

But If you are serious about learning English, I recommend my premium English courses.

These are complete programs designed to improve your spoken English dramatically.

In fact, the courses contain hours and hours of questions and answers and point of view lessons. It’s like a podcast episode but multiplied by 100.

Get my English courses at:

www.courses.speakenglishpodcast.com That’s all for today.

I will be back next week!

Bye! Bye!