Opinion vs. Statement — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 5, 2024
Opinion reflects personal beliefs or judgments without requiring factual backing, while a statement is a clear expression of fact, idea, or opinion, often presented as information.
Difference Between Opinion and Statement
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An opinion is a subjective expression that reflects an individual's feelings, beliefs, or preferences, often influenced by personal experiences, emotions, and perspectives. In contrast, a statement can be any declarative sentence that conveys information, which can be factual, false, or even an opinion itself, serving as a broader category of communication.
Opinions are characterized by their subjectivity and the lack of necessity for objective evidence to support them. They are personal interpretations or judgments about various subjects, such as art, food, politics, or morality. On the other hand, statements, when conveying facts, are objective and verifiable, requiring evidence and truthfulness to be validated.
While opinions are inherently personal and can vary widely among individuals, statements, especially factual ones, aim for universal acceptability and are subject to verification through evidence and observation. However, it's important to note that statements can also express opinions, making them versatile in usage.
The value of an opinion often lies in the diversity of thought and personal insight it brings to discussions, allowing for a plurality of perspectives. Conversely, the value of factual statements lies in their ability to inform, educate, and form the basis for rational decision-making and debate, grounded in objective reality.
The distinction between opinion and statement becomes particularly crucial in debates, research, and media, where clarity, accuracy, and objectivity are paramount. Recognizing whether a piece of communication is an opinion or a statement helps in critically assessing the information and its source, fostering more informed and constructive discourse.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Subjective and personal
Can be objective (factual) or subjective (opinion)
Requirement
No need for factual backing
Factual statements require evidence
Purpose
To express beliefs, feelings, or preferences
To convey information, facts, or opinions
Verifiability
Not verifiable
Factual statements are verifiable
Example
"I believe that classical music is superior."
"The Earth orbits the sun."
Compare with Definitions
Opinion
A personal view, attitude, or appraisal.
In my opinion, summer is the best season for outdoor sports.
Statement
A formal written or spoken declaration or assertion.
The company released a statement announcing the new CEO.
Opinion
A formal statement of advice by an expert on a professional matter.
The lawyer provided his opinion on the legal implications of the contract.
Statement
A definite or clear expression of something in speech or writing.
The witness made a statement to the police detailing what she saw.
Opinion
A belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
Her opinion on the matter was based on her personal experiences, not facts.
Statement
An expression of an idea, fact, or opinion.
His statement on climate change highlighted its impact on agriculture.
Opinion
A personal interpretation or perspective on a particular issue.
His opinion on modern art varies greatly from traditional critiques.
Statement
A document showing an account of financial transactions over a period.
She reviewed her bank statement to check for any unauthorized transactions.
Opinion
An evaluation or judgment given without the necessity for it to be based on fact or knowledge.
The critic’s opinion of the movie was largely negative, despite its popularity.
Statement
Something stated; a single sentence or assertion.
The keynote speaker’s statement that innovation drives progress was widely quoted.
Opinion
An opinion is a judgement, viewpoint, or statement that is not conclusive, rather than facts, which are true statements.
Statement
The act of stating or declaring
The attorney's statement took an hour.
Opinion
A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof
"The world is not run by thought, nor by imagination, but by opinion" (Elizabeth Drew).
Statement
Something stated; a declaration
The witness made many false statements.
Opinion
A judgment based on special knowledge and given by an expert
A medical opinion.
Statement
A formal oral or written declaration, especially with regard to facts or claims
In a statement, the firm denied any wrongdoing.
Opinion
A judgment or estimation of the merit of a person or thing
Has a low opinion of braggarts.
Statement
An abstract of a commercial or financial account showing an amount due; a bill.
Opinion
The prevailing view
Public opinion.
Statement
A monthly report sent to a debtor or bank depositor.
Opinion
A court's formal, usually written statement explaining its reasons for its decision in a case.
Statement
(Computers) An elementary instruction in a programming language.
Opinion
An attorney's formal, usually written statement giving an assessment of how the law should be or is likely to be applied in a particular situation.
Statement
An overall impression or mood intended to be communicated, especially by means other than words
Glass, exposed beams, and antiques created a strong decorative statement.
Opinion
A piece of testimony that is not usually admissible when given by a layperson, as in contrast to an opinion given by an expert witness.
Statement
Having a striking appearance, often because of large size, unusual design, or extensive ornamentation
A statement necklace.
Statement furniture.
Opinion
A belief, judgment or perspective that a person has formed, either through objective or subjective reasoning, about a topic, issue, person or thing.
I would like to know your opinions on the new filing system.
In my opinion, white chocolate is better than milk chocolate.
Every man is a fool in some man's opinion.
We invite you to state your opinions about the suggestions.
Statement
A declaration or remark.
Make a statement
Publish a statement
Utter a statement
Opinion
The judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things; estimation.
Statement
A presentation of opinion or position.
Opinion
(obsolete) Favorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem.
Statement
(finance) A document that summarizes financial activity.
A bank statement
Opinion
(obsolete) Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.
Statement
(computing) An instruction in a computer program, especially one that returns no value, as opposed to a function call.
Opinion
The formal decision, or expression of views, of a judge, an umpire, a doctor, or other party officially called upon to consider and decide upon a matter or point submitted.
Statement
(transitive) To provide an official document of a proposition, especially in the UK a Statement of Special Educational Needs.
Opinion
(European Union law) a judicial opinion delivered by an Advocate General to the European Court of Justice where he or she proposes a legal solution to the cases for which the court is responsible
Statement
The act of stating, reciting, or presenting, orally or on paper; as, to interrupt a speaker in the statement of his case.
Opinion
To have or express as an opinion.
Statement
That which is stated; a formal embodiment in language of facts or opinions; a narrative; a recital.
Opinion
That which is opined; a notion or conviction founded on probable evidence; belief stronger than impression, less strong than positive knowledge; settled judgment in regard to any point of knowledge or action.
Opinion is when the assent of the understanding is so far gained by evidence of probability, that it rather inclines to one persuasion than to another, yet not without a mixture of incertainty or doubting.
I can not put off my opinion so easily.
Statement
A message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc;
According to his statement he was in London on that day
Opinion
The judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things; estimation.
I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people.
Friendship . . . gives a man a peculiar right and claim to the good opinion of his friend.
However, I have no opinion of those things.
Statement
A fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true;
It was a strong argument that his hypothesis was true
Opinion
Favorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem.
Thou hast redeemed thy lost opinion.
This gained Agricola much opinion, who . . . had made such early progress into laborious . . . enterprises.
Statement
(music) the presentation of a musical theme;
The initial statement of the sonata
Opinion
Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.
Statement
A nonverbal message;
A Cadillac makes a statement about who you are
His tantrums are a statement of his need for attention
Opinion
The formal decision, or expression of views, of a judge, an umpire, a counselor, or other party officially called upon to consider and decide upon a matter or point submitted.
Statement
The act of affirming or asserting or stating something
Opinion
To opine.
Statement
(computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer program
Opinion
A personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty;
My opinion differs from yours
What are your thoughts on Haiti?
Statement
A document showing credits and debits
Opinion
A belief or sentiment shared by most people; the voice of the people;
He asked for a poll of public opinion
Opinion
A message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof;
His opinions appeared frequently on the editorial page
Opinion
The legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision;
Opinions are usually written by a single judge
Opinion
The reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
Opinion
A vague idea in which some confidence is placed;
His impression of her was favorable
What are your feelings about the crisis?
It strengthened my belief in his sincerity
I had a feeling that she was lying
Common Curiosities
How can I tell if something is an opinion or a factual statement?
Check for subjective language for opinions and verifiable evidence for factual statements.
Why is it important to distinguish between opinions and statements?
Distinguishing between them is crucial for critical thinking, informed decision-making, and constructive debate.
Why do people have different opinions on the same topic?
Differences in opinions can result from varying personal experiences, knowledge, values, and perspectives.
Can a statement be both an opinion and a fact?
A statement can contain both an opinion and factual information, but it's essential to distinguish which part is opinion and which is fact.
Is it important for opinions to be informed?
Informed opinions are more likely to be constructive and respected, even in the face of disagreement.
Is every opinion a statement?
Yes, opinions can be expressed through statements, but not all statements are opinions.
Can opinions be changed?
Yes, opinions can change with new experiences, information, or perspectives.
Are all statements true?
No, statements can be true, false, or opinions. Factual statements aim to be true and verifiable.
Can a factual statement become an opinion over time?
Factual statements remain facts unless disproven, but interpretations of facts can vary, leading to opinions.
How can opinions influence decision-making?
Opinions can shape personal and public decision-making by influencing perceptions and preferences.
How should opinions be treated in academic or professional settings?
Opinions should be clearly identified as such and, when relevant, supported by evidence and reasoning.
Can the expression of opinions be harmful?
While opinions are valuable for diversity of thought, expressing them irresponsibly or without consideration can be harmful or divisive.
What is the role of evidence in opinions and statements?
Evidence is crucial for supporting factual statements and can also strengthen the credibility of opinions.
What is the significance of stating opinions in a debate?
Stating opinions in a debate provides insight into different perspectives and enriches the discussion.
How do media outlets differentiate between opinions and statements?
Media outlets typically label opinion pieces clearly and strive to separate them from factual reporting.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
