How to say it · Saying no and disagreeing

Giving your opinion softly

You have a view, but you don't want to sound like a know-it-all. A small phrase first makes your opinion easier to hear.

5 ways to say it

How sureUnsureSure

I'd saybest default I might be wrong, buthumble I wonder ifidea as a question For what it's worthmodest advice If you ask mestrong view

Way 1 · best default

I'd say

Your honest guess or view, said calmly. Natural for estimates too.

How sureMiddle

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

I'd say it's about an hour's drive.

I'd say the blue one suits you better.

In a conversation

A: How long do you think the queue is?
B: I'd say twenty minutes, maybe a bit more.

Common mistake

Not: ~~According to me,~~ it's too expensive.

Say: I'd say it's too expensive.

"According to" is for other people or sources ("according to the BBC"), never for yourself.

Practice saying this

Next: I might be wrong, but

Way 2 · humble

I might be wrong, but

You admit you're not certain. Good when you're junior or questioning someone's work.

How sureVery unsure

ToneNeutral

Use itAt work

Examples

I might be wrong, but I think these numbers don't add up.

I might be wrong, but wasn't the meeting moved?

In a conversation

A: OK, so that's the final budget.
B: I might be wrong, but I think the travel costs are missing.

Practice saying this

Next: I wonder if

Way 3 · idea as a question

I wonder if

You suggest an idea as if you're just thinking out loud. Very easy to say yes to.

How sureUnsure

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

I wonder if we should leave a bit earlier.

I wonder if it would be cheaper to get the train.

Common mistake

Not: I wonder should we leave earlier.

Say: I wonder if we should leave earlier.

After "I wonder", use "if" and normal word order: "if we should", not "should we".

Practice saying this

Next: For what it's worth

Way 4 · modest advice

For what it's worth

You offer an opinion and accept it may not help much. Kind when someone is upset.

How sureUnsure

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

For what it's worth, I think you did the right thing.

For what it's worth, I never liked him much either.

Practice saying this

Next: If you ask me

Way 5 · strong view

If you ask me

You have a clear opinion and you're sharing it, but in a relaxed, chatty way.

How sureSure

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

If you ask me, they'll win the final easily.

If you ask me, the old logo was better.

In a conversation

A: Who do you think will win on Saturday?
B: If you ask me, it's going to be Arsenal.

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which would you say?

Pick the right one

Which would you say?

Read the moment, then choose the way that fits it best.

Now say it out loud

Pick one and practise it in a real conversation. Save the ones you want to remember.

I'd say I might be wrong, but I wonder if For what it's worth

Which would you say?

Now say it out loud

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