Kind of Expression

1. Expressing Interest
Hobby and interest are usually placed together in the phrase "Hobbies and Interests" or in questions like "What are your hobbies or interests?" What are the finer points of differences between them?According to my dictionary, there is only one definition for "hobby", "an activity that you enjoy doing in your free time"; while one of the 14 definitions for "interest" is "something you enjoy doing or a subject you enjoy studying when you are not working: Her main interest in life is tennis." Yet the example given here seems to imply a lot more than leisure time activity.

As you yourself have already noticed, the word interest has a number of definitions and the varying definitions are also regularly used. It is always important to keep context in mind. 'Reducing the threat of a nuclear war' is not comparable to 'playing basketball' and that fact alone is a good indication that you need to apply a different definition to the word interest.I would say that interest is synonymous with concern in your first sentence. It refers to a matter of importance.

That is some example of expressing interest:
What is your hobby?
What do you do in your spare time?
what is your fovorite sport?
My hobby is reading.
She practices basketball in her spare time
For recreation, he likes to go shopping.


2. Expressing Opinion
Below are some phrases that you can use to help express opinions. Some of these phrases are more appropriate for written English such as giving your opinion in an essay whereas some can also be used in spoken English.

Personal Point of View
We use these words and phrases to express a personal point of view:
In my experience…
As far as I’m concerned…
Speaking for myself…
In my opinion…
Personally, I think…
I’d say that…
I’d suggest that…
I’d like to point out that…
I believe that…
What I mean is…

General Point of View
We use these words and phrases to express a point of view that is generally thought by people:
It is thought that...
Some people say that...
It is considered...
It is generally accepted that...

Agreeing with an opinion
We use these words and phrases to agree with someone else’s point of view:
Of course.
You’re absolutely right.
Yes, I agree.
I think so too.
That’s a good point.
Exactly.
I don’t think so either.
So do I.
I'd go along with that.
That’s true.
Neither do I.
I agree with you entirely.
That's just what I was thinking.
I couldn't agree more.

Disagreeing with an opinion
We use these words and phrases to disagree with someone else’s point of view:
That’s different.
I don’t agree with you.
However…
That’s not entirely true.
On the contrary…
I’m sorry to disagree with you, but…
Yes, but don’t you think…
That’s not the same thing at all.
I’m afraid I have to disagree.
I'm not so sure about that.
I must take issue with you on that.
It's unjustifiable to say that...

3. Agreeing and Disagreeing
Sooner or later you will get the urge to agree or disagree with something that is being said in English. Offering an opinion can be difficult when it is not in your first language. You may know exactly what you want to say in your native tongue, but are unsure of how to express your views in English. You may also worry that your words will not come out properly or that you might hurt someone's feelings by being too forward. Although it is easier to sit back and say nothing at all, you will become bored or frustrated if all you can do is nod your head yes or shake your head no, especially if you have a strong opinion about something.
The best thing to do is to learn and practise some common expressions that are used in discussions and debates. For example, there is a difference between agreeing strongly or only slightly. Study the common expressions and practise saying them before you move on to the practice exercises. After you have completed the exercises successfully, find a friend or a group that you can practise debating with. Use the suggested topics, or make up topics of your own.


Stating an opinion
In my opinion...
The way I see it...
If you want my honest opinion....
According to Lisa...
As far as I'm concerned...
If you ask me...

Asking for an opinon
What's your idea?
What are your thoughts on all of this?
How do you feel about that?
Do you have anything to say about this?
What do you think?
Do you agree?
Wouldn't you say?

Expressing agreement
I agree with you 100 percent.
I couldn't agree with you more.
That's so true.
That's for sure.
(slang) Tell me about it!
You're absolutely right.
Absolutely.
That's exactly how I feel.
Exactly.
I'm afraid I agree with James.
I have to side with Dad on this one.
No doubt about it.
(agree with negative statement) Me neither.
(weak) I suppose so./I guess so.
You have a point there.
I was just going to say that.

Expressing disagreement
I don't think so.
(strong) No way.
I'm afraid I disagree.
(strong) I totally disagree.
I beg to differ.
(strong) I'd say the exact opposite.
Not necessarily.
That's not always true.
That's not always the case.
No, I'm not so sure about that.

Interruptions
Can I add something here?
Is it okay if I jump in for a second?
If I might add something...
Can I throw my two cents in?
Sorry to interrupt, but...
(after accidentally interrupting someone) Sorry, go ahead. OR Sorry, you were saying...
(after being interrupted) You didn't let me finish.

Settling an argument
Let's just move on, shall we?
Let's drop it.
I think we're going to have to agree to disagree.
(sarcastic) Whatever you say./If you say so.


4. Convincing Others
Many people have changed the way they live to become environmentally aware. Several of these people have influenced their children to become equally aware. This has begun a chain reaction throughout their entire generation. I would like to thank and congratulate these people for a job well done. My article this week deals with the thousands of others who have not made changes in their lifestyles and continue to harm the environment. There are many ways to get more people involved and I intend to list several options throughout my articles. I also felt that one article dedicated to this issue was necessary. How do you convince someone to do something different after thirty or maybe even fifty years of doing it the way they were taught? They have their own routine way of thinking and have no interests in doing things differently. Why fix it if it is not broken is the way several people have commented to me on this issue. Many people do not think that the earth is in need of respect or caring for. They believe that the trees are here for our consumption and that someone else will figure out a plan for the placement of garbage and the replacement of forests. Perhaps they do not feel it is their responsibility. After all, they are not the ones that created the packaging or the lumber industry. I have found that people usually have many reasons why other ways are more expensive, time consuming, and just one more duty to add to their lists of things to be responsible for. People just seem to have to many things taking up their time and never enough time for themselves. There will only be a true change set forth, when enough people get involved. Through boycotts, strikes, demonstrations and communities banning together we have made several changes in the corporate world that we live in. It will take this type of involvement and dedication to make the changes necessary for us to live in harmony with the earth and nature. I have taken every step possible in my family's life to insure that we live an environmentally friendly lifestyle. So now we are left with the question, How do we get other people to become environmentally aware of their actions? The first step that I have found to be helpful in converting people into an environmentally aware lifestyle is education. There are books, web sites, newsletters, organizations, and meetings that focus around the information needed to educate consumers. Spreading the word would be the second step and learning by example would be the third step.
The copyright of the article Convincing Others in Consuming Less is owned by Michele Shelton. Permission to republish Convincing Others in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

5. Greeting
Greeting is an act of communication in which human beings (as well as other members of the animal kingdom) intentionally make their presence known to each other, to show attention to, and to suggest a type of relationship or social status between individuals or groups of people coming in contact with each other. While greeting customs are highly culture- and situation-specific and may change within a culture depending on social status and relationship, they exist in all known human cultures. Greetings can be expressed both audibly and physically, and often involve a combination of the two. This topic excludes military and ceremonial salutes but includes rituals other than gestures.
Greetings are often, but not always, used just prior to a conversation.
Some epochs and cultures have had very elaborate greeting rituals, e.g., greeting of a king.
Secret societies have clandestine greeting rituals that allow members to recognize common membership.

A greeting can consist of an exchange of formal expression, a simple kiss, a hand shake or a hug. The form of greeting is determined by social etiquette, as well as by the relationship of the people.
Beyond the formal greeting, which may involve a verbal acknowledgment and sometimes a hand shake, facial expression, gestures, body language and eye contact can all signal what type of greeting is expected. Gestures are the most obvious signal, for instance greeting someone with open arms is generally a sign that a hug is expected. However, crossing arms can be interpreted as a sign of hostility. Facial expression, body language and eye contact reflect emotions and interest level. A frown, slouching and lowered eye contact suggests disinterest, while smiling and an exuberant attitude is a sign of welcome.
Throughout all cultures people greet one another as a sign of recognition, affection, friendship and reverence. While hand shakes, hugs, bows, nods and nose rubbing are all acceptable greetings, the most common greeting is a kiss, or kisses, on the cheek. Cheek kissing is most common in Europe and Latin America and has become a standard greeting in Southern Europe.
While cheek kissing is a common greeting in many cultures, each country has a unique way of kissing. In Russia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro the Netherlands and Egypt it is customary to “kiss three times, on alternate cheeks.” Italians usually kiss twice in a greeting and in Mexico and Belgium only one kiss is necessary. In the Galapagos women kiss on the right cheek only and in Oman it is not unusual for men to kiss one another on the nose after a handshake. French culture accepts a number of ways to greet depending on the region. Two kisses are most common throughout all of France but in Provence three kisses are given and in Nantes four are exchanged.

By convention, formal letters in English commence with the salutation "Dear" followed by the name or title of the recipient. If the name or title of the recipient is unknown, then it is conventional to write "Dear Sir," or "Dear Madam," or where the sex of the recipient is also unknown, "Dear Sir/Madam," or "Dear Sir or Madam" is used. In other forms of written communication (such as fax or email), or in informal messages the salutation is often absent or replaced with a personal variant.