Fact & Opinion
Difference between a Fact and an Opinion for Class 3 English
The ability to distinguish fact and opinion helps to develop critical and analytical skills in students. In this concept, students are introduced to the definition of fact and opinion with examples and differences. They are also made aware of the common errors that could come up while determining both in the text.
From this learning concept students will also learn:
- Opinion Signal Words.
- Fact Signal Words.
- Difference between Fact and Opinion with examples.
- Fact and opinion examples.
- Fact and opinion sentences.
All the learning concepts covered on this website have illustrations, mind maps, and examples. Class 3 students can determine their understanding by attempting to solve the two printable PDF fact and opinion worksheets. The solutions to these worksheets are also available in PDF format.
Fact and Opinion Meaning:
-
A fact is something that always holds true. They can be proven, and we can
find them by doing in-depth research.
Examples:
- All living beings need oxygen to survive.
- Jawahar Lal Nehru was the first prime minister of India.
-
An opinion is what you feel or think or a judgement about a certain thing
or person or a matter. It cannot be proven right or wrong.
Examples:
- He is a gentleman.
Different people could have different opinions about the person.
Opinion Signal Words
Let us have a look at the signal words that indicate it is an opinion.
| Opinion Signal Words | |
|---|---|
| best | believe |
| feel | good |
| important | greatest |
| may | might |
| most | must |
| probably | really |
| should | should not |
| worst | never |
| every | seem |
| bad | usually |
| better | always |
| claim | argue |
| think | in my point of view |
| in my experience | |
Fact Signal words
There are certain signal words that indicate that a statement is a fact.
| Fact Signal Words |
|---|
| verified |
| statistics/numbers |
| proven |
| confirm |
| discovered |
| evidence |
| demonstrated |
What is the Difference between Fact and Opinion?
How do you identify a fact and an opinion? Some think they are quite similar, but actually, they are very different.
| Fact | Opinion |
|---|---|
| Facts never change, it always remain the same. It is a proven truth. | Opinion varies from person to person. |
| A fact is a statement that can be proven false or true as it is supported by evidence or documents. | An opinion is a personal view which cannot be proved true or false. |
| It is something that has happened in reality. | This is mostly a perception. |
| Example: We ordered pizza for lunch. | Example: The lunch was very tasty. |
Common Mistakes
- Sometimes it becomes difficult to identify a fact and an opinion.
Examples:
- Here it is raining now. – Fact
- I think it might rain today. – Opinion
You can see it is raining; hence it is proven.
You are not sure and cannot prove it until later so it is an opinion.
