Thoughts on the phrase "In my opinion"

[erpowers]

Some grammar authorities state that people should usually not use the phrase "In my opinion". They claim the phrase adds nothing to a sentence. How is someone supposed to know that a person is making a statement of opinion if that person do not use the phrase "In my opinion"? I understand that if a person is making a statement it is likely that the statement is there opinion, but is is not possible for a statement of opinion to seem like a statement of fact. For instance, "President Obama is wonderful" versus "In my opinion President Obama is wonderful." I understand that someone could make the argument that both statements regardless of how they are written are statements of opinion. My response would be, but the first statement could be met with the response, "well that is your opinion".

So, should people follow the grammar rules and not use the phrase "In my opinion"? Should people use the phrase if they feel it is necessary?

[Skinner]

1. I think it's a really useful phrase on an Internet discussion forum.

Whatever the statement, it softens delivery and makes it less controversial.

[TDale313]

3. I agree.

Online, where tone is so hard to gage, it makes it clear that you understand and respect that yours isn't the only take on things. Similar to ymmv. That's not always a given.

[The Straight Story]

13. Well, at least in your opinion

[Arkansas Granny]

2. "In my opinion" clearly shows that what you are saying is not necessarily a proven fact,

but your personal thoughts about a topic of conversation. I think it's use can help avoid confusion during a discussion.

[pipi_k]

4. I prefer it when

people say, "In my opinion".

It sounds less arrogant than saying (using your example), "President Obama is wonderful", which makes the statement sound like a fact that the listeners better agree with or else.

I can deal with opinions.

I don't like someone sounding like they are the sole fountains of Truth.

[randome]

5. And also implies that you're open to hearing someone else's opinion.

IMO.

[Wait Wut]

6. Well, in my opinion...

...some grammar authorities need to find another hobby. The phrase is necessary in some instances, as you mentioned, to separate fact from opinion. In this day and age, it should be used more often, not less. Too many people are accepting opinion as fact because some 'journalist' didn't tell them they could think for themselves.

[quinnox]

7. I often use IMHO

which stands for in my humble opinion.

[Quantess]

8. That's, just, like... some grammar expert's opinon, man.

[geek tragedy]

9. 8 year olds, dude. 8 year olds. nt

[rrneck]

10. I think there is frequently an underlying attitude

that when we type something lots of other people read it is a pronouncement from on high. It ain't. This is just a big cocktail party with court reporters.

[lumberjack_jeff]

11. Some things are obvious opinion, such as the phrase "you think...".

In the above case it's also an obviously ill-considered opinion.

There are some things that may not be obvious in which case the statement is clarified by adding "in my opinion" or "it is demonstrably true that" (or a link better yet)

This is a discussion board so if it's unclear most of us assume that a statement is opinion.

[graham4anything]

12. IMHO negates the "Prove It Totally Annies" who demand proof.How the hell do you prove an opinion?

everything is an opinioin, everyone has an angle, and saying IMHO means it is ones personal opinion, especially if there are no links/articles, which of course, if there is there is a discussion on that.