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I've noticed that in the introduction to a presentation of some sort (whether
it be an academic presentation or a YouTube video explaining something), the
presenter will often say something along the lines of 「 … したいと思います。」 Why is
this? Doesn't this give the message of "I think I want to present this"?
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2016-09-27T00:10:44.907
39509
2016-09-27T08:09:22.057
10795
question
usage
Use of ...と思います at beginning of presentation
It's just a very common way of saying "I'd like to ..."

An adult saying 「 … したい。」 is pretty uncommon.

See [~したいと思います Does it mean exactly as translated? I think I want
to](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/14121/16344)
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2016-09-27T00:31:45.053
39510
2016-09-27T00:31:45.053
2017-04-13T12:43:48.447
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answer
As far as I understand, using -と思います is a polite and respectful way of
expressing your opinion (what you want to do in your example). In other words,
if you don't use it, you might sound a little strong and assertive.

For example, if you say

> そうだと[思]{おも}います。

It means

> I think it could/might be true.

If you say

> そうだ

in place of "そうです" or "そうだと[思]{おも}います", you would not sound as polite and
respectful.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-27T04:21:20.890
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2016-09-27T08:09:22.057
2016-09-27T08:09:22.057
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answer