June, 16, 2020 Beliefs and opinions	
Speaking about beliefs and opinions (1)	
collocation	example	
firmly believe- твердо верить	I firmly believe that young people should have the
right to vote at 16.	
share opinion on- разделять мнение
a great believer in - ярый сторонник	I share your opinion on the issue of hunting.
I’m a great believer in animals’ rights.	
popular belief-поверье, широко распространенное убеждение 	Contrary to popular belief, it is not true that blondes are dumb.	
have reason to believe-есть основания полагать	We have reason to believe that you witnessed the
accident.	
be poles apart-как небо и земля, диаметрально противоположны	We are poles apart in our attitudes to life.	
a matter of opinion- спорный вопрос	It’s a matter of opinion whether men are better
drivers than women.	
difference of opinion- расхождение во мнениях	I had a difference of opinion with my brother.	
a sneaking suspicion- смутное подозрение	I’ve got a sneaking suspicion you may be right.	
More formal ways of discussing beliefs (2)	
make assumptions-строить предположения
unshakeable belief-непреложная истина
set of beliefs-свод убеждений
colour judgement-влиять на чьи-либо суждения
lead to conclude-привести к заключению
evidence is based on-доказательства основаны на
attach  importance-придавать большое значение
cast doubt on- подвергнуть сомнению
opinions are divided- мнения разделились
considered opinion-твердое убеждение
have serious misgivings about-иметь серьезные опасения по поводу
have doubts- усомниться	The writer seems to make assumptions based on an unshakeable belief in the superiority of her own value system. She seems to be unaware of the extent to which her own set of beliefs has coloured her judgement. Her research leads her to conclude that military action was justified. However, her evidence is based on one single document and attaches too much importance to this. I do not trust her
judgement. Moreover, other documents cast doubt on her conclusions. Opinions on the issue are divided and my own considered opinion is that the writer is not to be trusted. I have serious misgivings about  her research and I have doubts about
the accuracy of some of her facts.	
Some error warnings (3)	
collocation	comment	
I hope you’ll come to my party.	NOT wish	
They’ve given up hope of any survivors.	NOT the hope	
We need to think hard about this problem.	NOT consider hard – could be consider this problem carefully	
I wish they would just leave me alone.	NOT let	
Many people hold the view/opinion that …	NOT meaning	
He has strong opinions on many subjects.	NOT heavy or big	
Exercise 1. Correct the seven collocation errors in this text.

I wish we can solve a big problem we have regarding our student committee. Opinions are separated about how to approach the issue and, naturally, some members have very heavy opinions. Some of their views are based on their unstirred belief that they are always right and that no one can challenge their group of beliefs. My own thoughtful opinion is that we should have new elections, but I know that others have quite a different meaning.	
Exercise 2. Match each verb in the box with its noun collocation in the table below. Then write one
sentence for each collocation.

cast colour attach make have trust

	
verb	
noun	

1	
	
assumptions	

2	
	
somebody’s judgement	

3	

4	
	
importance to	

5	
	
doubt on	

6	
	
serious misgivings	

	
doubts	

Exercise 3. Make seven collocations using the words in the box. Use each word once only.

apart  belief   believe  cast   think   firmly  hard   opinions
  sneaking   strong   suspicion   doubt   poles   popular

	
Все материалы из  книги "English Collocations in Use" by M. McCarthy, F. O'Dell.