Ways of distancing

Apparently, Sally's pregnant!

Really????

Becoming a reporter

Ways to distance ourselves from the informationwe give

That's absolutely not true!

SEEM AND APPEAR

SEEM AND APPEAR

It seems / appears that the less children sleep, the more likely they are to behave badly We often use seem and appear to give information without stating that we definitelyknow it is true, and in this way distancing ourselves from the information

iT WOULD SEEM THAT SOMEONE'S BEEN STEALING PERSONAL ITEMS FROM THE CHANGING ROOMS

wE USE iT WOULD SEEM / APPEAR + THAT+ CLAUSE

to distance us even further from the information, and to make it sound less sure.

This is more formal than It seems / it appears

REPORTING INFORMATION

Another way of distancing ourselves from the facts, especially in formal written English, is to report the information we have heard.

REPORTING VERBS

Let's revise the basics first...

' I am sorry I disappointed you', she said. She said she was sorry she had disappointed me 'Why are you so mad?', she asked. She asked why I was so mad.

Remember: There are changes in pronouns and verb tenses. Indirect questions have regular word order.

REMINDER: Instead of "say" and "tell" there are a wide range of verbs that express the intention of the speaker

I made a mistake. I'm sorry --- ApologisingShe said she was sorry --- She apologised

Can you move my desk close to the window? --- SuggestingHe asked if I could move his desk close to the window -> He suggested that I moved his desk close to the window

REPORTING VERB PATTERNS

This wide range of introductory verbs to use instead of 'say' and 'tell' might be followed by either a to-infinitive, -ing form or that clause to express the intention of the speaker.

REPORTING VERB PATTERNS

Click on the bird above to see reporting verbs followed by a that clause

Click on the bird above to see reporting verbs followed by To infinitive

Click on the bird above to see reporting verbs followed by -ing

DISTANCING USING STRUCTURES WITH REPORTING VERBS

My missing Mr Right is thought to be hitting it off with a Ms Wrong

Subject + passive verb+ to + intinitive

Verbs commonly used in this pattern: believe expect report say think understand

It + passive verb+ that

It has been announced that Judge Smith's death was not an accident

Verbs commonly used in this pattern: Agree Report Announce Say Believe Suggest Expect Think Hope Understand

oTHER WAYS OF DISTANCING

1. Apparently, Maurice and Yvette have separated
2. According to new research, drinking beer is more benefitial than drinking water
3. The boss may be asked to make more staff redundant

Just checking...

Click on me too answer a questionnaire with comprehension questions!

http://lorenasenglishcorner.blogspot.com.es/

Lorena Alonsoguez

EOI VALDEMORO