We can’t ignore opinions. They’re all around us, whether we’re scanning a Twitter feed, watching the news, or talking to friends. While we may wish we could leave some behind [like the ones that start arguments over the Thanksgiving table], they’re an inevitable fact of life. And this makes the language we use regarding our opinions and others’ so important.
When you’re debating a topic, do you share your opinion of or opinion about the latest riveting subject? Do you ask someone for their opinion on the matter? Which of these phrases is correct?
Is there a difference between on, about, and of?
The words on, of, and about are prepositions. These types of words give additional information in a sentence, such as where something is, where it is going, or when it occurred. On, of, and about each have many meanings and uses, but when they follow the word opinion, they all serve to clarify what the subject of the opinion is. So in this sense they are similar. Read on to find out the subtle differences on how they are used.
When to use opinion on
For the most part, opinion on and opinion about can be interchanged. Your opinion on something describes your ideas or beliefs regarding a particular matter or topic. For example, “What’s your opinion on the new tax law?” Usually you’d use this phrase to ask for someone’s opinion on a broad topic that allows for many different opinions to be discussed. This phrasing can open up debates.
Both opinion on and opinion about are similar because they refer to the qualities of a topic. The preposition on emphasizes the topic of the opinion a bit more than the opinion itself. For example, “Chris has a strong opinion on taxes.” He doesn’t just have a strong opinion, he has a strong opinion on taxes.
Examples of opinion on in a sentence
- The senator refused to give his opinion on the President’s statement.
- First, the principal asked the parents their opinion on the new uniforms.
- Hector wouldn’t tell anyone his opinion on the movie, but I think he hated it.
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When to use opinion about
Like opinion on, the phrase opinion about can be used to describe your ideas or beliefs regarding a particular matter or topic. For example, “I have a strong opinion about this proposal.” The phrase opinion about is often used to express when someone doesn’t have an opinion, as in “I don’t have an opinion about this.”
Examples of opinion about in a sentence
- After you visit the new school, you can tell us your opinion about it.
- What is her opinion about how rigorous this hike may be?
- Whatever your opinion about Camilla as a person may be, you have to admit she’s a wonderful gardener.
When to use opinion of
The phrase opinion of is often used differently. Your opinion of something is your estimation of its quality or worth. This phrase indicates how much esteem someone holds for a topic.
When using opinion of, you may see an adjective before opinion. For example, “Our community has a good opinion of the city council.” The phrase opinion of indicates how the subject [our community] feels toward the object [the city council].
Examples of opinion of in a sentence
- I have a low opinion of that book.
- What is your opinion of me?
- What is Lauren’s opinion of her sister’s new boyfriend?
When you want to know what others are thinking, these three phrases will help you ask the right questions. [Just be sure to choose your conversation topics wisely the next time the whole family is gathered around the Thanksgiving table!]
opinion
Từ điển Collocation
opinion noun
1 what you think about sb/sth
ADJ. good, high | low, poor | strong | conflicting, different, mixed Opinions are mixed regarding genetically-modified food. | honest If you want my honest opinion, I think the book is awful. | expert, informed, professional | considered | personal, subjective | objective | contrary, dissenting | majority | minority | second If in doubt about your diagnosis, get a second opinion.
VERB + OPINION entertain, have, hold | air, express, give [sb], offer [sb], pass, state, venture, voice The bishop spoke without passing any opinion on the scandal. | ask sb, seek He asked me for my opinion on the course. | get | form I formed the opinion that he was not to be trusted. | change
OPINION + VERB change | differ, vary Opinions differ as to when this wine should be drunk.
PREP. in your ~ In my opinion, golf is a dull sport. | ~ about/on She holds strong opinions on education. | ~ as to opinions as to the merits of the scheme | ~ of He has a very high opinion of your work.
PHRASES be of the opinion that … [formal] [= to believe or think that], a difference of opinion a genuine difference of opinion between the experts | in my humble opinion [humorous], a matter of opinion ‘London is wonderful.’ ‘That's a matter of opinion.’
2 what people in general think about sth
ADJ. prevailing | general, popular, public Contrary to popular opinion, many adult cats dislike milk. | international, local, national | expert, informed, professional | academic, legal, medical, political
QUANT. body This view is supported by a growing body of professional opinion.
VERB + OPINION mould, shape attempts to shape public opinion
OPINION + VERB be against sth, be in favour of sth Prevailing local opinion is against the new road proposals. | be divided Public opinion is divided on the subject of capital punishment.
OPINION + NOUN poll | former, leader
PREP. ~ among Opinion among doctors is that the medication is safe.
PHRASES climate of opinion in the present climate of opinion | shades of opinion all shades of political opinion
Từ điển WordNet
- a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty; sentiment, persuasion, view, thought
my opinion differs from yours
what are your thoughts on Haiti?
- a belief or sentiment shared by most people; the voice of the people; public opinion, popular opinion, vox populi
he asked for a poll of public opinion
- a message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof; view
his opinions appeared frequently on the editorial page
- the legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision; legal opinion, judgment, judgement
opinions are usually written by a single judge
- the reason for a court's judgment [as opposed to the decision itself]; ruling
- a vague idea in which some confidence is placed; impression, feeling, belief, notion
his impression of her was favorable
what are your feelings about the crisis?
it strengthened my belief in his sincerity
I had a feeling that she was lying
n.
English Synonym and Antonym Dictionary
opinions
syn.: attitude belief conception conviction estimate feeling idea impression judgment outlook sentiment theory thought view