1003S Discussion Speculating and qualifying claims

Here is the language used to put forward a view cautiously:

verbs adverbs modals expressions

a. seem to/appear d. It is likely that i. I would think that l. That’s probably
to (generally) true.
b. It seems/appears e. It is possible that j. can/could m. In general
that
c. It looks like f. perhaps/maybe k. may/might n. That would hold
true.
g. probably/possibly o. We can’t be sure.
h. quite

Fill in the blanks with appropriate expressions.

1. There ____________________ be a relationship between GDP per capita and people’s happiness.

2. ____________________ that people in a democracy are happier. ____________________ they

are happier because there isn’t a “heavy” interfering government.

3. This is ____________________ true, but we ____________________.

4. It is ____________________ people are happier if their government provides better healthcare.

5. I ____________________ think that education is also important to happiness.

6. It ____________________ difficult for Bhutan to preserve some of its traditional values.

7. Air pollution will ____________________ damage your health.

8. ____________________ air pollution ____________________ damage your health.

9. ____________________ that there are some states that don’t ____________________ fit the
pattern.

10. The notion of ‘kapwa’ ____________________ help Filipina workers to overcome homesickness.

11. The countries that top the list in happiness have high GDP per capita, but Bhutan _____________
an exception.

12. It ____________________ be that access to nature has a positive impact on happiness.

13. Urbanisation is ____________________ not something that necessarily makes a person happy.

14. ____________________ it will be easier for the people if social changes are introduced gradually.
Answer key:

1. seems to

2. It seems ….. Perhaps/Maybe

3. probably ….. can’t be sure

4. likely/possible that

5. would

6. could be

7. probably

8. It is possible that ….. can

9. It looks like ….. quite

10. seems to

11. looks like

12. could/might

13. probably

14. Perhaps