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Common mistake Punctuation and style

Giving an opinion without "I think"

Overusing “I think”: better ways to give an opinion

Starting many sentences with "I think" or "I believe". In short: Give your opinion without “I think”: start with “In my view” or “Arguably”, or simply say your point and give a reason.

This guide is for writers moving from B1 to B2 or from B2 to C1.

The rule for overusing “I think”

Give your opinion without “I think”: start with “In my view” or “Arguably”, or simply say your point and give a reason.

Pattern: In my view, ... / Arguably, ... / It seems clear that ... / It could be argued that ... Or state the point and give a reason.

Use this when you give your view more than once. "I think" at the start of sentence after sentence sounds simple. C1 writers vary how they show a view.

Overusing “I think”: wrong and right examples

  • Start with "In my view,"

    Wrong I think the tax is too high.

    Right In my view, the tax is too high.

  • Start with "Arguably,"

    Wrong I think online courses are the future of education.

    Right Arguably, online courses are the future of education.

More right sentences

  • In my view, the plan is too expensive.
  • Arguably, cities need fewer cars.
  • It could be argued that exams test memory, not skill.

Traps to avoid with overusing “I think”

  • One "I think" is fine. The problem is three or four close together.
  • In a formal essay, an impersonal phrase ("It could be argued that") often works better than "I".

Skills that train overusing “I think”

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