Talking Facts, Opinions and Experiences

You are out to eat with some of your friends from the United States. They are talking about a topic you know a lot about, but you aren’t sure how to jump into the conversation.

Here are some phrases to help you talk about the facts you know (or think you know), your opinions and even your experiences.

Talking about a fact (100% sure that it is true)

It has been established that…
It has been established that the Earth is round.

It is true that…
It is true that when ice melts it turns to into water.

Research has proven that…, in fact, …

Research has proven that a hippopotamus is, in fact, very dangerous.

Expressing a supposed fact (85-99% sure that it is true)

I recently read/saw in the news that…
I recently saw in the news that the presidential primary race is very close.

Research seems to show that…
Research seems to show that vaccines do not cause autism.

I’ve heard that…
I’ve heard you shouldn’t drink alcohol when you are taking antibiotics.

Expressing a supposed fact (not very sure that it is true)

Isn’t it true that….?
Isn’t it true that black widow spiders are very deadly?

Apparently, …
Apparently, the water in southern Vermont is unsafe to drink.

Expressing your strong opinion

I’m absolutely sure….
I’m absolutely sure that you shouldn’t go swimming in a hurricane.

I am convinced that…
I am convinced that he is not telling the truth.

It’s clear to me that…
It’s clear to me that this is the wrong plan of action.

It is obvious that…
It is obvious that this man doesn’t know what he is doing.

As far as I’m concerned,…
As far as I’m concerned, you should never call anyone past 8 pm.

Expressing your opinion (not very strongly)

I suppose…
I suppose that you are right.

I guess…
I guess that this is the best option.

I think…
I think that we should probably follow his lead.

It seems to me that…
It seems to me that the president knows what he is doing.

My understanding is that…

My understanding is that you shouldn’t go swimming if you have a fever.

I am not sure, but I think that…
I am not sure, but I think that you should probably buy renter’s insurance.

Talking about your opinion based on your experience

In my experience,…
In my experience, you should never walk in that neighborhood after dark.

I have found from my experience that…
I have found from my experience that wearing sun block at the beach is a must.

What I have found is…
What I have found is that people here are just as nice as people from my home country.

Judging from my personal experience, I can say that…
Judging from my personal experience, I can say that traveling is well worth the expense and effort!