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What preposition should we use after opinion? Which of the following is correct:

  1. What is your opinion on this book?

  2. What is your opinion of this book?

Also, what is the correct way of saying the following:

We surveyed drivers' opinion on this device?

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1 Answer

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In British English you might use 'of' for a specific thing, eg. a book or person, and 'on' for a broad topic, eg. 'your opinion on string theory'.

But it's not a very strong rule, I wouldn't feel that either was wrong. This may be the effect of American English usage of 'on'.

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Thanks @mgb. I understand... I should say We surveyed drivers' opinion of this device? – Stat-R Mar 29 '12 at 15:32
For example: I do not give my private opinion of my nearest relations. – Carlo_R. Mar 29 '12 at 15:32
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@Stat-R: You've got mgb's distinction right, in that this device is a specific thing, so opinions would normally be of it. But it should always be drivers' opinions in the plural for your construction. – FumbleFingers Mar 29 '12 at 16:28
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Thanks you @FumbleFingers – Stat-R Mar 29 '12 at 16:30
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I don't there there's any difference between British and American usage here. – Peter Shor Mar 29 '12 at 18:24
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