Opinions& Agreeing
I think / In my opinion / So do I
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get talking · Section 1
5 minWarm up
Say one strong opinion about food, music or films. Does your partner agree?
Think of an opinion you've changed in the last year. What changed it?
In 60 seconds, give as many opinions as you can starting with 'I think...'
Grammar focus · Section 2
8–10 minGiving opinions and agreeing/disagreeing
To give an opinion, use phrases like: I think..., I believe..., In my opinion,..., If you ask me,...
→ In my opinion, this film is overrated.
→ I love spicy food. — So do I!
→ I don't really like crowds. — Neither do I.
→ I'm not so sure about that, actually.
→ I see what you mean, but I still think it's worth it.
More detail
To AGREE with a positive statement, use 'So do I' / 'So am I' / 'Me too'. To agree with a NEGATIVE statement, use 'Neither do I' / 'Nor do I' / 'Me neither'. To disagree politely, soften it: 'I see what you mean, but...' or 'I'm not so sure about that.'
| Statement type | Agree | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive with 'do/does' | So + do/does + I | I like it. — So do I. |
| Positive with 'be' | So + am/is/are + I | I'm tired. — So am I. |
| Negative | Neither/Nor + do/be + I | I don't like it. — Neither do I. |
Word order after 'so/neither'
It's 'So do I' — NOT 'So I do'. The auxiliary comes before the subject in these short reactions.
Natural English
'Me too' and 'Me neither' are the informal, everyday versions of 'So do I' and 'Neither do I' — very common in speaking.
When to use
Use softeners ('I see what you mean, but...') in mixed groups or with people you don't know well, to disagree without sounding rude.
Question 1.I love this song. — ____
Question 2.I don't eat meat. — ____
Question 3.I'm exhausted. — ____
Question 4.Which phrase softens disagreement politely?
Question 5.Which is the informal version of 'Neither do I'?
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
Vocabulary · Section 3
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
Don't just read these — say one out loud, then use it about your life.
overrated
praised more than it deserves
"I think that restaurant is overrated."
Name something you find overrated.
to have a point
to say something valid
"You have a point — I hadn't thought of that."
Say when someone recently had a point.
to be torn
unable to decide between two options
"I'm torn between the two jobs."
Say something you are torn about.
spot on
exactly right
"Your prediction was spot on."
Say something someone got spot on recently.
biased
unfairly favouring one side
"That review seems a bit biased."
Name a topic where people are often biased.
to see eye to eye
to agree completely
"We don't always see eye to eye on politics."
Say who you don't always see eye to eye with.
Discuss with a partner
- →Name something overrated and something underrated.
- →Are you torn about any decision right now?
Finish the sentence about you
- I think...is overrated because... …
- I'm torn between...and... …
- You have a point, but... …
Rank & justify
Rank these from 'most overrated' to 'least overrated' and justify your top choice.
- Reality TV
- Superhero films
- Social media influencers
- Fast fashion
Pronunciation · Section 4
3–4 minIntonation for opinions vs agreement
- • In my opinion, it's a waste of money.
- • So do I!
- • Me neither!
- • I'm not so sure about that, actually.
How to say it
When giving an opinion, the voice often rises slightly on the key word then falls: 'I think it's OVERrated.' When agreeing quickly with 'So do I' or 'Me too', the pitch is short and enthusiastic, almost like an exclamation, to show genuine agreement rather than a flat repeat.
Reading · Section 5
8–10 minThe online review that started a debate
When Daniel posted a review calling the new café 'seriously overrated', he didn't expect forty comments within an hour. Some people agreed instantly: 'So do I — the coffee's average and it's way too expensive.' Others disagreed politely: 'I see what you mean, but I actually think it's spot on for the atmosphere alone.' A few admitted they were torn: they loved the design but weren't so sure about the food. One commenter accused the review of being biased because Daniel worked nearby and rarely tried anywhere new. In the end, nobody quite saw eye to eye, but everyone agreed on one thing: it's useful to hear different opinions before deciding for yourself.
Read carefully, then answer the detail questions. Underline the words in the text that gave you each answer.
Question 1.What did Daniel call the café?
Question 2.Why might Daniel's opinion be biased?
Question 3.What did everyone eventually agree on?
Q1.Everyone in the comments agreed with Daniel.
Q2.Some commenters were torn about the café.
Q3.Everyone saw eye to eye by the end.
Listening · Section 6
8–10 minBook club discussion
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Nina:In my opinion, the ending was disappointing.
Tom:Really? I actually thought it was spot on.
Nina:I see what you mean, but it felt too rushed for me.
Priya:I'm torn, honestly. I loved the characters but not the plot.
Tom:Fair enough. I don't usually like slow endings though.
Nina:Neither do I, normally! Maybe that's why this one bothered me.
Priya:You might have a point there.
Listen once for the whole picture, then again for the details before you answer.
Question 1.What was Nina's opinion of the ending?
Question 2.What was Priya torn about?
Question 3.What does Nina say she 'doesn't usually like'?
Exam skills · Section 7
5 minCambridge PET — Speaking Part 3/4 (opinions & discussion)
Task
Give and justify an opinion, then respond to a partner's opposing view.
Strategy
Always give a reason after your opinion, not just the opinion alone. Use softeners to disagree ('I see what you mean, but...') rather than blunt disagreement, and use short reaction phrases (So do I / Neither do I) to show active listening.
Example
In my opinion, online courses are just as good as classroom lessons, because you can learn at your own pace. — I see what you mean, but I still think face-to-face contact helps more. — That's a fair point, actually.
Practice · Section 8
8–10 minFill in the blank
Question 1.I love travelling. — ____ ____ ____.
Question 2.I don't like horror films. — ____ ____ ____.
Question 3.____ my opinion, the film was too long.
Question 4.That review seems a bit ____.
Question 5.I'm not so ____ about that.
Q1.Agree with 'I'm really tired' using 'So...':
Q2.Agree with 'I don't drink coffee' using 'Neither...':
Q3.Give an opinion about your favourite hobby using 'In my opinion':
Writing · Section 9
5 minPut it in writing
Write your own version first, then open the model and compare — what would you change?
Your task
Write a 120-word forum comment giving your opinion on a topic (social media, working from home, fast fashion, etc.), including one clear reason and one polite disagreement with an imaginary previous comment.
Compare with the model
I see what the previous commenter means, but I'm not so sure I agree. In my opinion, working from home is actually more productive for most people, because there are fewer interruptions and no commute. Of course, I understand it doesn't suit everyone — some people feel torn between the flexibility and the lack of social contact. If you ask me, though, a hybrid model is spot on: a couple of office days and the rest at home. So do I think it's the future? Honestly, yes.
Speaking · Section 10
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
GROUPS OF 3 · Discuss a light debate topic (best season, best type of holiday, city vs countryside). Each person gives an opinion with a reason, then reacts to the others using 'So do I' / 'Neither do I' / a polite disagreement.
Useful phrases
- • In my opinion,...
- • If you ask me,...
- • So do I! / So am I!
- • Neither do I. / Me neither.
- • I see what you mean, but...
- • I'm not so sure about that.
Role-play & swap
Role-play the scenario once. Then swap roles and change two details so the second run is not a repeat.
- AI think remote work is overrated.
- B_______________
- AI don't really trust online reviews.
- B_______________
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Push students to react naturally and quickly — the reaction phrases should become automatic. ~30 min total
Homework · Section 11
Take-homeTake it home
Write 5 opinions about current trends, each with a reason.
Record a 1-minute opinion on a topic you care about, using at least 2 agreement/disagreement phrases.
Read 3 online reviews and note how the writers express opinions.
Recap · Section 12
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Give opinions with: I think / I believe / In my opinion / If you ask me.
- Agree with positives: So do I / So am I / Me too.
- Agree with negatives: Neither do I / Nor do I / Me neither.
- Soften disagreement: I see what you mean, but... / I'm not so sure about that.
- Always back up an opinion with a reason.
Extra Practice
Grammar · Vocabulary · Speaking · Review
Found this lesson tricky? Practise the language from Lesson 23 again.
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