Opinion Of, Opinion On, or Opinion About? Preposition Rules and Examples

Quick Summary:

All three phrases—“opinion of,” “opinion on,” and “opinion about”—are grammatically correct, but they express different meanings. Use “opinion of” to express respect, esteem, or estimation of worth (e.g., “She has a high opinion of her colleague”). Use “opinion on” when discussing a specific debate topic or formal subject (e.g., “What is your opinion on the new policy?”). Use “opinion about” to emphasize a personal belief or state a lack of opinion (e.g., “I don’t have an opinion about that movie”).

Introduction: Why Prepositions Following “Opinion” Cause Confusion

English grammar organizes words into eight primary categories known as parts of speech: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.

When expressing thoughts, beliefs, or judgments, combining nouns with the correct prepositions is essential. A noun is a naming word for a person, place, thing, or concept (such as car, teacher, or opinion). A preposition is a short word—like in, to, on, of, or about—that links nouns or pronouns to other elements in a sentence.

One of the most frequent grammar questions English language learners ask is:

Should I write “opinion of,” “opinion on,” or “opinion about”?

The word opinion is a countable noun that refers to a judgment, view, or perspective formed about something, or professional advice given by an expert. While of, on, and about can all follow the word “opinion,” changing the preposition alters the meaning of your sentence.

This guide breaks down the preposition rules, explains how each phrase alters meaning, and provides real-world examples to help you choose the right combination every time.

What Does “Opinion Of” Mean? (Estimation of Worth and Esteem)

The phrase “opinion of” is primarily used to indicate how much value, respect, or esteem someone has for another person, group, or object. When you have an “opinion of” someone, you are evaluating their character, quality, or worth.

"Opinion Of" Structure:

  [ Subject ] + [ Verb ] + [ Adjective + OPINION OF ] + [ Person / Object ]
  e.g., "The manager has a HIGH OPINION OF your work."

Key Rules for “Opinion Of”:

1. Accompanied by Modifying Adjectives: In most cases, an adjective comes directly before “opinion” when paired with “of” (such as high opinion of, low opinion of, good opinion of, or poor opinion of).

2. Evaluates Quality or Character: It answers the question: How much do you value or respect this person or thing?

Real-World Sentence Examples:

• “The department director has a very high opinion of your problem-solving skills.”

• “Unfortunately, the public has a low opinion of the recent political decision.”

• “It is easy to see that she holds a good opinion of her sister’s artistic talents.”

What Does “Opinion On” Mean? (Topics, Issues, and Debates)

The phrase “opinion on” is used when discussing a specific topic, subject, policy, or matter open to formal discussion or debate.

When you ask for or share an “opinion on” something, you are focusing on a broad, structured topic rather than evaluating a person’s individual character.

Key Rules for “Opinion On”:

1. Pairs with Specific Subjects or Issues: Use “on” when referring to news events, academic theories, business decisions, or societal questions.

2. Invites Discussion or Debate: It signals that the topic is open for varying viewpoints.

Real-World Sentence Examples:

• “What is your personal opinion on the new remote-work policy?”

• “Dr. Aris presented a well-researched opinion on climate change trends.”

• “I would like to get an expert opinion on this financial contract before signing it.”

What Does “Opinion About” Mean? (Beliefs and Lack of Opinion)

The phrase “opinion about” is very similar to “opinion on,” but it is used in two specific everyday scenarios: stating a lack of opinion, or placing strong emphasis on the feeling/belief itself rather than the broader topic.

Key Rules for “Opinion About”:

1. Expressing a Lack of Opinion: “About” is the most natural preposition to use when someone does not have a viewpoint on a matter.

2. Emphasizing the Personal Feeling: “About” draws attention to the personal opinion itself rather than the technical details of the subject.

Real-World Sentence Examples:

• Stating a Lack of Opinion: “To be honest, I don’t really have an opinion about the new restaurant decor.”

• Emphasizing Personal Beliefs: “The members of the committee expressed strong opinions about yesterday’s debate.”

• General Thoughts: “Do you have any strong opinions about who should win the award?”

Combining Prepositions in the Same Sentence

Because “opinion of” refers to the person holding or receiving the judgment, and “opinion about/on” refers to the topic, you can combine them in a single sentence to create precise meaning.

Look at how prepositions work together in this example:

“I heard the mean opinion of Michael about Anne.”

• Opinion of Michael: Identifies Michael as the person who holds or expressed the opinion.

• About Anne: Identifies Anne as the person who is the target of that opinion.

By understanding how prepositions assign roles in a sentence, you can prevent ambiguity in your writing.

Summary Comparison Table

Usage Frequency: Which Phrase Is Most Common?

Linguistic research and digital text analysis reveal clear usage patterns among native English speakers:

1. Opinion of is the most common variation in literature, academic papers, and daily speech when evaluating quality or respect.

2. Opinion on is moderately common, particularly in professional news, business discussions, and formal debates.

3. Opinion about is the least common overall in formal writing, but it remains popular in casual, spoken English when expressing personal feelings or neutrality.

Practice Exercise: Test Your Knowledge

Choose the correct preposition to complete each sentence:

1. The CEO has a very high ________ the new marketing manager’s performance.

   a) opinion of

   b) opinion on

   c) opinion about

2. What is your official ________ the proposed tax rate increases?

   a) opinion of

   b) opinion on

   c) opinion from

3. I really don’t have an ________ which color we paint the living room walls.

   a) opinion of

   b) opinion on

   c) opinion about

(Answers: 1 = a, 2 = b, 3 = c)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “opinion on” more formal than “opinion about”?

Yes. “Opinion on” is slightly more formal and is preferred in news journalism, academic papers, and official business reports. “Opinion about” is more conversational and commonly heard in everyday speech.

Can you say “in my opinion about”?

No. When introducing your own viewpoint at the start of a sentence, the correct fixed phrase is “in my opinion” (e.g., “In my opinion, the test was fair”). Do not add “about” or “of” after “in my opinion.”

What is the difference between “opinion of” and “view on”?

“Opinion of” usually evaluates how much you value or respect a specific person or object. “View on” is a synonym for “opinion on” and describes your stance regarding a topic or issue (e.g., “What is your view on the current situation?”).

Master English Prepositions and Grammar

Mastering prepositions like “opinion of, on, or about” ensures that your writing conveys your exact meaning without causing confusion.

To keep expanding your understanding of prepositions, nouns, and sentence structures, explore our full library of educational articles on the English Forward Grammar Hub.

Have a question about prepositions or sentence context? Share your sentence in the English Forward Language Community Forum to receive direct feedback and help from certified ESL teachers and native speakers!

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