Giving an Opinion in Spanish and Supporting It with Reasons

This lesson begins B1. You will state a clear opinion on a familiar topic and support it with a reason that genuinely explains your position.

Creo que + clause

Use to introduce an opinion.

— I think that living downtown is practical.
— I think that this service is too expensive.
— I think that public transport is useful.

Keep que in Spanish. English can sometimes omit “that,” but the Spanish frame is + clause.

Pienso que + clause

— I think that the schedule is suitable.
— I think that this option is better.

Again, keep que before the clause.

Para mí + evaluation

Para mí can frame the statement explicitly as your personal view.

— For me, this neighborhood is quiet.
— For me, working from home is more comfortable.

Support the opinion with porque

— I think that living downtown is practical because there are many services.
— I think that this option is better because it costs less.
— For me, working from home is more comfortable because I do not lose time commuting.

The reason must support the opinion

Weak connection:

— I think that this hotel is better because today is Tuesday.

The reason normally does not explain the evaluation.

Better:

— I think that this hotel is better because it is closer to the station.

Opinion versus fact

Fact:

— The hotel costs 80 euros per night.

Opinion:

— For me, 80 euros per night is too expensive.

The first can be checked against the listed price. The second is an evaluation.

Use evidence to support the opinion

Fact:

— The bus takes one hour.

Opinion with reason:

— I think that the train is more practical because it takes less time.

Do not omit que

Target:

— I think that it is a good idea.

Target:

— I think that we need more time.

The full linking frame includes que.

Keep this lesson in the indicative

Use familiar affirmative opinion frames with normal indicative clauses.

— I think that Ana is right.

Negative opinion, doubt, and the subjunctive are studied later. Do not derive those rules from this lesson.

Short discussion

Person A: — What do you think about the new schedule?

Person B: — I think it is better because it finishes earlier.

Person A: — And the price?

Person B: — For me, it is a little high.

A practical opinion method

State the opinion with , pienso que, or para mí.
Keep que when the opinion phrase introduces a clause.
Add one reason that directly supports the evaluation.
Distinguish a checkable fact from your personal judgment.
Use familiar indicative grammar in these affirmative opinion frames.
Do not introduce negative-opinion subjunctive rules yet.

From Opinions to More Precise Evaluation

You can now state an opinion and support it with a connected reason. The next lesson expands your evaluative vocabulary so you can say whether something is useful, necessary, fair, or suitable instead of relying only on bueno and malo.