Shadowing Practice: Stop overusing 'I think...' - say THIS instead - 21 more advanced alternative phrases - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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- Hello everyone and welcome back to English with Lucy.
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Today I am going to give you 21 "advanced alternatives for I think." I think that I think.
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is very boring, overused, and it's just repetitive.
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In debates, in English classes, in conversation, we are always asked to give our opinion.
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And more often than not, I hear my students saying, "I think blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
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"I think blah, blah, blah, blah.
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"I don't think blah, blah, blah, blah." If you really want to show that you have an incredible and profound and advanced vocabulary,
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then you need to find some other ways of saying I think.
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So I have got 21 advanced alternatives, ranging from formal to informal.
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So this video is really going to help you with your vocabulary, but if you want to improve your listening skills and your pronunciation skills even further,
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then I highly recommend the special method of reading an actual book whilst listening to the audio book version on Audible.
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"It might sound complicated, but it's not, "and it has helped
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so many of my English students." What you have to do is take a book that you have already read in English, or a book that you would like to read in English,
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I've got loads of recommendations down below in the description box, and read it whilst listening to the audiobook version on Audible.
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So as you are reading the words, you are also hearing the words.
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Reading alone will not help you with your pronunciation.
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English is not a strictly phonetic language.
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The way a word is spelt or written in English might not give you any indication as to how it is pronounced.
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If you listen to a word, as you read it, your brain will start making connections, and the next time you see that word, you'll know exactly how it's meant to sound,
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how it's pronounced, and the next time you hear that word, you'll know exactly how it's spelt or written.
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It is such an effective method, and the best part is, you can get one free audio book, that's a 30 -day free trial on Audible.
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All you've got to do is click on the link in the description box and sign up.
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Right, let's get started with the lesson.
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Number one is an informal one, it's I'm not going to lie, or I'm not gonna lie.
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I've got a video on wanna and gonna.
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It's a very helpful one actually.
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I'm not gonna lie.
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Sometimes just shortened down to not gonna lie, or abbreviated to NGL.
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So if we're texting NGL and then our opinion.
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An example, I'm not going to lie, I was pretty insulted to not be invited to my ex -boyfriend's wedding.
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I'm not going to lie, I was pretty insulted to not be invited to my ex -boyfriend's wedding.
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Number two is in all honesty, in all honesty.
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This is very commonly used nowadays.
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And I would say it's leaning towards informal.
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An example.
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In all honesty, I had every right to be there.
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In all honesty, I had every right to be there.
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Number three is, in my view, in my view, and this one is slightly more formal actually.
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Another example, in my view, I should have been invited, so it was totally fair for me to turn up on the day.
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In my view, I should have been invited, so it was totally fair for me to turn up on the day.
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A lot of these examples will use should have, would have, and could have.
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I've recently made a video about shoulda, woulda, and coulda, so I've shared that link in the description box and up here on a card.
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Number four is, if you ask me, if you ask me, An example.
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If you ask me, the church service was wonderful, but it was a shame I had to stand at the back.
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If you ask me, the church service was wonderful, but it was a shame I had to stand at the back.
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Number five is as far as I can tell.
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As far as I can tell.
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These past two have been fairly neutral, neither informal nor formal.
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As far as I can tell.
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An example?
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As far as I can tell, the bride wasn't really expecting me.
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As far as I can tell, the bride wasn't really expecting me.
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Number six is, to my mind.
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"To my mind," and this just means to me, but we're talking about our brain rather than ourselves, and it is more formal.
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An example, "To my mind, she should have been happier to see me and receive my support." To my mind, she should have been happier to see me and receive my support.
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Number seven, again, slightly more formal, as far as I'm concerned, as far as I'm concerned.
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An example, as far as I'm concerned, she totally overreacted and shouldn't have cried.
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As far as I'm concerned, she totally overreacted and shouldn't have cried.
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Again, more info on should have, would have, and could have in the description box is a really important lesson.
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Number eight the way I see things or the way I see it.
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You can use either or.
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An example, the way I see things, I made the family photographs a lot more interesting.
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- The way I see things, I made the family photographs a lot more interesting.
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"an alternative as I see things or as I see it." An example: "As I see it,
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they obviously didn't take me into consideration when drawing up the seating plans." "As I see it,
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they obviously didn't take me into consideration when drawing up the seating plans."
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Now you might have noticed there's a bit of a story going on through the examples which I think is quite interesting.
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Fun.
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But you might need a little bit more explanation about British weddings.
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We always have a seating plan.
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So we'll have a list of all the table names for the meal, and it's called the seating plan, and everyone is put in a certain spot, and we have our name on the table.
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And we use drawing up because of the phrasal verb, to draw up normally a plan or a document.
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It means to write and prepare a document or plan.
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Now number 10 is it seems to me that.
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It seems to me that.
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quite a neutral one, maybe leaning on formal.
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An example, it seems to me that everyone overreacted when I tried to sit at the top table.
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It seems to me that everyone overreacted when I tried to sit at the top table.
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Now, another bit of info for you on British weddings, there is often a top table.
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Most weddings have round tables, and all the guests will sit on round tables, but there is a big, long table, a bit higher up,
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overlooking all of the other guests, where the bride, the groom, two people getting married, and their families sit, so it's the most important people,
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and the bridesmen and the groomsmen as well.
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Number 11, I believe.
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I believe.
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alternative for i think if you're in a pinch
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and you want to say i think and you don't know what else to say just say i believe An example, I believe they should have just made space for me in the first place.
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I believe that they should have just made space for me in the first place.
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Number 12 is I would say, or shortened down to I'd say, I'd say.
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An example, I'd say the food was very good, but it was a shame I had to share it with my neighbour.
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I'd say the food was very good, but it was a shame I had to share it with my neighbour.
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Now you might know the word neighbor as someone who lives next to you.
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If you are sitting at a table, then you might also say the word neighbor.
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Your teacher might say it when you're sitting at a desk.
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Swap your answers with your neighbor.
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Swap your answers with the person next to you.
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Number 13, I consider.
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I consider, normally followed by something then, to be.
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I consider something to be.
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An example, I consider it to be very rude
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that I was forced to sit down when I stood up to make a speech.
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I consider it to be very rude that I was forced to sit down when I stood up to make a speech.
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Number 14 is to me.
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To me, just another way of saying in my opinion.
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An example: To me, no one knows my ex better than I do, so I should have been able to tell all of his funny stories.
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To me, no one knows my ex better than I do, so I should have been able to tell all of his funny stories.
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My god, can you imagine?
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Can you imagine if this happened at your wedding?
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My wedding's coming up.
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I don't think we have any crazy exes. Yet?
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What do I mean by yet?
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Carry on, Luce.
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Carry on.
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Number 15 is from my point of view from my point of view.
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This again is slightly more formal, but can be used in both informal and formal situations.
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An example, from my point of view, the first dance was cringeworthy, so I did everyone a favour by joining in.
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From my point of view, the first dance was cringeworthy, so I did everyone a favour by joining in.
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Part of our wedding culture is to have a first dance together
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and everyone watches and then after that everyone can join in.
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But after they have finished or if they have said, come in, you do not butt in.
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The first chance.
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Number 16 is, it is my view that, or it is my belief that, both are more or less the same.
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An example, it is my view that the open bar made everything worse.
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It is my view that the open bar made everything worse.
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Now, a bit of extra info, an open bar is something that you really hope is at a wedding that you're attending.
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It's when the bar is already paid for.
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You don't have to pay anything at that bar.
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I'd say it's probably 30, 70 at weddings in the UK, you're most likely to have an open bar,
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but it just depends on the couple's financial situation.
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It's typical for the parents of the bride, of the lady getting married, to pay for the But if they're not in a good financial situation,
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or maybe the bride and groom are funding it themselves, they might not be in a position to offer an open bar.
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Number 17 is a very slang one.
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It's I reckon, I reckon.
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And I think that this is a very British one.
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If any Americans are watching, can you let me know, do you use reckon, I reckon, I think, in your...
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dialect.
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An example, I reckon the sixth gin and tonic tipped me over the edge.
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I reckon the sixth gin
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and tonic tipped me over the edge to tip someone over the edge is to make someone either really sad
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or a bit crazy.
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or to lose the plot, to be crazy.
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So I might have been you know, tipsy or merry up until the sixth gin and tonic,
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and then it was that sixth one that tipped me over the edge and made me downright crazy.
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Number 18 is I honestly believe that.
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I honestly believe that.
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An example, I honestly believe that if I hadn't started cutting the cake, no one would have.
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I honestly believe that if I hadn't started cutting the cake, no one would have.
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In your culture, does the bride and groom have the first cut of the wedding cake together?
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Quite an important part of the day.
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19 is honestly speaking, honestly speaking, and this one is informal.
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An example, honestly speaking, I probably shouldn't have thrown my slice at the bride.
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Honestly speaking, I probably shouldn't have thrown my slice at the bride.
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Number 20 is I feel that, I feel, and that's another good one word alternative for think, just like believe.
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I feel, I think, I believe.
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An example, I feel that my ex could have found a more welcoming bride with a better sense of humour.
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I feel that my ex could have found a more welcoming bride with a better sense of humour.
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And number 21, the last one, this is again quite neutral, it's personally speaking, personally speaking.
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An example: Personally speaking, calling the police was a bit OTT.
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Personally speaking, "Calling the police was a bit OTT." OTT means over the top,
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too much, over the top we often shorten it down to OTT.
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Right, that is it for today's lesson.
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This is a new format.
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It just came to me whilst I was looking at all of these words and phrases, and I just thought it would be really, really fun if we could follow a ridiculous story through all of the examples.
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Did you enjoy it?
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Did it make you stay to the end?
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Well, if you're watching this, it did.
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Let me know your feedback in the description box.
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I'd happily do it again because I had a lot of fun writing it, especially now that my wedding's coming up this year.
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Don't forget to check out Audible.
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You can claim your free audiobook by clicking on the link in the description box.
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And don't forget to connect with me on all of my social media.
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I've got my Facebook, my Instagram, my Twitter, and my personal channel, Lucy Bella Earl, where I talk about everything that isn't related to English.
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I will see you soon for another lesson.
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Mwah!
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About This Lesson
In this lesson, you will learn advanced alternatives to the commonly used phrase "I think." Often overused in conversations and debates, this phrase can make your speech sound repetitive and less engaging. By incorporating diverse expressions into your vocabulary, you will not only refine your speaking skills but also show that you possess a more sophisticated command of the English language. You will practice various phrases ranging from informal to formal, providing you with the flexibility to express your opinions in different contexts. This will enhance your ability to articulate thoughts clearly and confidently.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
- I'm not going to lie - a casual way to express honesty.
- In all honesty - a phrase indicating sincere opinion.
- In my view - a more formal expression for giving an opinion.
- If you ask me - an informal way to present your perspective.
- As far as I can tell - a neutral phrase for stating an opinion based on available information.
- NGL - shorthand for "not gonna lie," frequently used in texting.
- Opinion - a personal belief or judgment about something.
- Expression - the act of conveying thoughts or feelings.
Practice Tips
To effectively grasp and use these advanced phrases, try employing the shadowing technique, which can significantly aid in improving your English pronunciation. Listen to the instructor's delivery of these phrases in the video, paying close attention to the speed and tone of their speech. Shadowspeaking involves mimicking the audio while simultaneously reading. This will help establish the connections between how words are pronounced and how they are written.
As you practice, select a few phrases and incorporate them into your daily conversations. Aim for a fluent and natural delivery, similar to the instructor’s style. Utilize resources such as audiobooks or engaging podcasts to enhance your shadow speak experience further. Repetition is key—by stating these phrases aloud in context, you will not only bolster your vocabulary but also pave the way to improve your English pronunciation. Embrace this dynamic method, and let it transform your speaking abilities!
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | are always asked · is pronounced · be invited |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | has helped · have already read · I've shared |
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.