Learn English collocations for opinions. Learn B2/C1 English collocations for expressing opinions.
These advanced expressions will be very useful to you if you are preparing for an English exam (FCE, CAE, CPE, IELTS etc) Using natural English collocations in your speaking and writing will help you to sound more native in English.
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List of collocations
Harry
English collocations for opinions
Well, in this lesson, we’re focusing again on collocations.
Collocations are really, really popular with our students and our listeners and viewers. So we thought we’d do a few more of these advanced lessons, focusing on the collocations and particular topics.
And in this particular topic, it’s English collocations for opinions
For those of you who don’t really understand collocations, it’s just a complicated way of saying two or more words together that fit together and are used together quite frequently.
Collocations are very useful in the English language because it’s better than just learning individual words that have no purpose. You can drop collocations into sentences, and use them as phrases, and it’s a much better chance for you to understand English and also for you to be understood.
stark reality
Meaning: clear facts, often unpleasant
Examples:
The stark reality is that we are entering into a phase of rising inflation.
The stark reality is that you don’t understand what I am talking about.
to be perfectly honest
Meaning: used when telling someone what you really think, even if it might upset them
Examples:
To be perfectly honest, I think that we should just scrap this expensive holiday and stay at home.
To be perfectly honest, I have no interest in doing yoga. I like to be moving.
To be perfectly honest, that movie is absolute rubbish.
To be perfectly honest, I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about. I really don’t understand it.
strongly suspect that…
Meaning: you believe that something is going to happen
Examples:
I strongly suspect that the management will make that announcement next week.
I strongly suspect that Mike and Kate are going to split up. They’ve been arguing a lot recently.
English collocations for opinions

to take someone’s point
Meaning: to understand, accept, agree with someone
Example:
I take your point, I understand. And we will consider this plan, but not at the moment.
a sneaking suspicion
Meaning: you’re not absolutely certain that something is happening, but you believe it might
Example:
I have a sneaking suspicion that someone is planning a surprise party for me for my birthday.
to make accusations
Meaning: to say someone is guilty of doing something wrong
Examples:
He made an accusation that I had taken his wallet from his locker.
She made an accusation that Sam had stolen her mobile phone.
Following the election, he repeatedly made accusations of election fraud.
it’s a matter of opinion
Meaning: a question on which people hold different views
Example:
Beauty is only a matter of opinion. If you believe you are beautiful, then that’s all that matters.
English collocations for opinions

to be highly suspicious of…
Meaning: feeling doubt in somebody’s motives for doing something
Example:
I remain highly suspicious of his motives for helping me.
to miss the point
Meaning: not to have understood what somebody said
Example:
I think you’ve missed the point. I wasn’t saying we should cancel this arrangement; we just need to change it.
to hazard a guess about…
Meaning: to make a guess
Examples:
I’d hazard a guess that David is gone to meet his friends. It’s Friday, and he hasn’t sent a text.
I’d hazard a guess that the city is going to be packed. I don’t think it’s going to be a good idea for us to go.
So there are 10 English collocations for opinions. They’re really advanced English, but you can use them, you can drop them into your conversations.
Let me give them to you one more time:
- stark reality
- to be perfectly honest
- to take someone’s point (about…)
- a sneaking suspicion
- to make accusations
- strongly suspect that…
- matter of opinion
- to be highly suspicious of….
- to miss the point
- to hazard a guess about
Try to use them try to practice them if you’ve got any problems. Send me a note www.englishlessonviaskype.com. I really appreciate you listening to them. I really appreciate you listening to me if you have any comments, happy to receive them. And this is Harry saying goodbye for now and join me again soon.
More information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
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