V. Connectors and Modifiers for Expressing the Opinion

The expression of opinion in modern English depends to a considerable extent on the correct use of connecting words or phrases that help the reader or listener to understand what is being said. Such words or phrases may be used to show how an argument is organized, to prepare the reader for what is coming next or to convey the tone of what is being said.

 

A. Developing an Argument

1. Sequence

 

Most people develop an argument by making a series of points. This can be done numerically – first, second, third – but the following phrases are more commonly used:

Point 1: In the first place, To begin with, To start with, First of all.

For one thing is more conversational, and usually suggests that the speaker has not yet thought of all his reasons and listed them in his mind, so it is best to avoid it in writing.

Point 2: Secondly, In the second place.

These lead the reader or listener to expect further reasons, and should not be used unless more than two points are being made.

In addition to that tends to be used for the second and final reason.

Apart from that, Moreover (formal) and What is more (conversational) indicate second reasons of a rather different kind, but tending towards the same conclusion:

e.g. Fewer people are going on holiday in the Mediterranean this year. In the first place, the economic situation is serious, and many are staying at home. Apart from that, an increasing number of people are being attracted to more distant places.

Besides is used for a second and normally conclusive, reason that is so strong that it almost makes the first reason irrelevant:

e.g. I don’t really think we can afford to go there again for our holiday this year. Besides, I am tired of the place – I don’t want to go there.

Final Point: Finally, Lastly.

Above all indicates that the last point is the most important. Conclusion (not necessarily the last point in a list, but as the beginning of the last paragraph, to show that the argument is coming to an end, or you are summarizing it).

In conclusion, To sum up

These are markers indicating that you have reached this stage of the argument.

Taking everything into account, All things considered, All in all.

These indicate that you are summarizing all the points made and reaching a conclusion, whether or not the points listed agree.

In brief, In short, In a word (the last two more conversational).

These indicate that you are going to summarise the points made briefly, and should only be used if you are brief.

 

Examples

 

When you wish to give an example of what you mean in making a point, use:

For example, For instance.

Contrast

 

In some cases, you may want to conduct your argument not by making a list of points that all point in the same direction but by contrasting the opinions of one group with another. This can be done very simply by writing but instead of and or by using concession clauses with although, in spite of etc.

In written argument, the most common connecters to indicate a point that to some extent contradicts or limits a previous statement are:

However, Nevertheless, All the same, At the same time

After all is used to indicate a strong argument against the previous point that appears not to have been considered:

e.g. I am surprised you haven’t invited Joan to go on holiday with you. After all, she is your sister.

On the other hand is used in balanced arguments (see below) but often appears alone simply to indicate an alternative point of view:

e.g. Most people seem to think that the spread of tourism in the area has done a lot of harm. On the other hand, it has cured the unemployment problem here.

In contrast is used to indicate that the alternative point of view that follows is in direct contrast to what has gone before:

e.g. Ecologists are very critical of the spread of tourism in the area. In contrast, hotel managers are all in favour of it.

Balance

 

The connecters used for contrast tend to favour the second point raised at the expense of the first. When presenting both sides of an argument as equal, it is best to use On the one hand, … and On the other hand.

 

Cause and effect

 

Because of … and Owing to … indicate why something has taken place or is being proposed Due to … is also used in this context, but, strictly speaking, should only be used as a compliment to the verb be. Compare:

e.g. The flight was cancelled because of the fog.

The cancellation of the flight was due to the fog.

When a reason or reasons have been given, the argument can continue with For this reason, For these reasons, As a result, In consequence, Consequently.

That is why is more conversational, Therefore and Thus are more formal.

For one reason or another is used when the speaker does not know the reason.

 

B. Establishing Facts

 

This usually appears in contrast to appearance, what seems to be true or is believed to be true. Here are two ways of contrasting appearance and fact:

e.g. At first sight (on the face of it), the village seems unspoiled, but in fact it has been completely altered. The village is apparently unspoiled, but actually it has been completely altered.

More emphatic forms of In fact are The fact is that … and The fact of the mater is that …

As a matter of fact means ‘In fact, although it may surprise you …’.

e.g. It’s not the first time I’ve visited this island. As a matter of fact, I was born here.

In practice is used in contrast to In theory or In principle to show the reality compared to the idea or the original intention. In effect is close to In fact in meaning and usage. It suggests ‘for practical purposes’. An alternative is To all intents and purposes.

C. Expressing a Personal Opinion

 

When you want to make it clear that what you are saying is a personal, as distinct from a general opinion, use one of the following:

In my opinion, In my view, To my mind, As I see it (more conversational).

Personally and For my part tend to contrast the individual opinion with that of the majority.

As far as I am concerned means ‘in so far as the matter affects me’. It is less likely to appear in written argument than in speech:

e.g. I don’t care whether we go to one seaside resort or another.

As far as I’m concerned, it won’t make any difference.

 

D. Modifying what is said

 

There are many ways in which we modify statements by limiting their meaning or pointing to specific circumstances where what is said is correct.

 

General statements

 

These express what is true in general terms, though not in all circumstances:

In general, As a rule, As a general rule, On the whole, In the main, For the most part.

Partly correct

 

These limit the truth of the statement in general terms:

To some extent, To a certain extent, Up to a point.

In a way and In a sense limit the truth in terms of interpretation:

e.g. In a sense one could say that the local people are responsible for what has happened because they welcomed the tourists, but on the whole they are not really to blame.

 

Limit of knowledge

 

The fact that the speaker’s knowledge is limited can be expressed by:

As far as I know, To the best of my knowledge.

For all I know suggests ignorance of the topic.

Assigning responsibility

 

According to … By all accounts indicate that responsibility for a statement lies with someone else.

At least is used to avoid personal responsibility:

e.g. I know he intended to come on holiday with us. At least, that is what he told me.

 

Limited validity

 

Under the circumstances, As it is, Things being as they are suggest that what is suggested is only valid in the present situation but not in ideal circumstances.

 

E. Intensifying what is said

 

Obviously

 

One way of intensifying what is said is to suggest that it is obvious to everyone by using of these:

Clearly, obviously, of course, Needless to say, As everyone knows.

 

Especially

 

Another way is to draw attention to a particular aspect:

In particular, especially.

Note that especially will appear within the sentence as an adverb and not as a connector at the beginning.

e.g. They had very bad weather on holiday, especially during the first week.

 

3More noticeably

 

Let alone and Not to mention are used to indicate a more noticeable example of the same thing:

e.g. The taxi fare to the airport was very expensive, let alone the cost of the flight itself.

 

F. Rephrasing what is said

 

The most common phrases indication that the speaker is going to rephrase what has been said are:

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