55.3 Enquiring about other people’s opinions
The verbs most commonly used when inquiring about other people’s opinions are
parecer, opinar and pensar.55.1 (p. 319)
¿Qué le parece a tu padre?
What does your father think?¿Qué opinan/piensan ellos?
What do they think?8.3 (p. 39)
55.4 Reporting on other people’s opinions
55.4.1 To report other people’s opinions, use decir, parecer, creer, pensar, opinar or
considerar, followed by que and a clause containing the assertion. Of these, decir,
pensar and creer are the most common.
^33 (p. 196)
José dijo que la fiesta fue un éxito.
José said that the party was a success.Ellos piensan/creen que el conflicto tiene solución.
They think the conflict has a solution.Ella opina/considera que no es correcto.
She thinks it is not correct.A él le parece que no debemos ceder.
He thinks we must not give up.In addition, we can also report someone’s opinion by using one of the following words
and expressions:55.4.2 Según... , ‘according to.. .’
This is by far the most common word used when referring to someone’s opinion in
both formal and informal contexts.Según el señor García, deberíamos despedirlo.
According to señor García, we should sack him.Según el gerente, la huelga es innecesaria.
According to the manager, the strike is unnecessary.25.1.24 (p. 128)
55.4.3 Según el parecer de... , ‘according to.. .’
This is less common and more formal than the single word según.Reporting on other people’s opinions 55.4