Asking for opinion

It's a good idea to ask another person about their opinion before you tell them your opinion loudly and strongly. Maybe they completely disagree with you. Here are ten ways to ask.

What do you think of...?
What do you think about...?
How d'you feel (about...)?
What d'you reckon (about...)?
What's your opinion of...?
(What do think about) that?
What are your views on...?
Where do you stand (on...)?
What would you say to... / if we...?
Are you aware of...?

Explanations

• Phrases 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are followed by a noun or gerund (-ing form).
• Phrases 1 and 2 are general phrases for asking for an opinion. We can use them both formally and informally. In informal speech, "do you" becomes "d'you?".
• Phrases 3 and 4 are more informal. We can use them with "about" and a noun or gerund phrase e.g. "How d'you feel about having a class outside in the garden?"
• We use phrase 6 (with that) after another sentence (e.g. "They're going to build a new supermarket here. What do you think of that?").
• Phrases 7 and 8 are more formal. You could use them in a business meeting and you might hear them on interviews on the news.
• Phrase 9 is asking the other person's opinion of an idea or proposal. We follow to with a noun or gerund and follow if we with a sentence with a verb in the simple past tense.
• Phrase 10 is an indirect way of asking for an opinion. We ask if the other person knows about the situation. They are then expected to react with an opinion.