Lesson 3: Expressions That Affirm and Negate You most likely often use the words yes and no. These two words are used to affirm or negate. But what are the other words that may be used to affirm or negate? How are these words used in argumentative writing? In this lesson, you will learn about these expressions. Warm-up! Triad Activity Part 1. Form a group of three. Take a look at the words in the left box. Use each of these words in a sentence to express the truth or validity of an idea. Afterward, t ake a look at the set of words in the right box. Use each of these words in a sentence to express a denial or falsity of an idea. Share your work in class. really certainly undoubtedly truly surely absolutely no not without against no longer neither 13 Copyright © 2018 Quipper Limited 0 0 Learn About It! There are certain words and/or expressions that you may use to help you affirm or negate a particular idea or view. It is common in argumentative writing for writers to use these expressions to strengthen their claims or rebut counterarguments. These are often adverbs of affirmation and negation. Expressions That Affirm An affirmation, also called an affirmative or positive statement, expresses the truth or validity of an idea. It would be of great help to use affirmative expressions in writing to guide your line of reasoning or give emphasis to your claims. These may also help you i ntensify ideas to convince readers of the strength of your claims. Keep in mind, though, that you should use these adverbs sparingly in order for them to be effective. Using too many of these in your argumentative paper may weaken your claims rather than strengthen them. Here are some examples of affirmative expressions: Affirmative Expressions really truly affirmatively certainly absolutely positively definitely undoubtedly yes exactly precisely all right convincingly surely doubtlessly 14 Copyright © 2018 Quipper Limited 0 0 Here are sentences that use affirmative expressions: Taking public transportation is certainly better than driving a car in terms of saving money and reducing one’s negative impact on the environment. It is undoubtedly unethical to engage in acts of euthanasia. Good governance will absolutely make our country great again. One’s grades in college is surely an important consideration for hiring managers when choosing whether to hire a fresh graduate. Using social media every day can definitely affect one’s self-esteem. Expressions That Negate On the other hand, expressions that negate are words that convey contradiction or opposition. These help in rebutting or arguing against the claims of the opposite side. They are used to express a denial or falsity of an idea. Here are some examples: Negative Expressions no without nobody nor against yet no longer never not scarcely not at all nothing neither rarely invalidly 15 Copyright © 2018 Quipper Limited 0 0 Here are sentences that use negative expressions: Taking public transportation is not better than driving a car, as it brings with it many inconveniences such as longer travel time and a less comfortable commute. The practice of euthanasia is not at all unethical when the person concerned specifically requests it to end his or her suffering or when it is the more humane option for sick animals or pets. What our country needs is not good governance but well-disciplined people. Hiring managers often make a decision to hire a fresh graduate without looking at that applicant’s grades in college. Whether social media use affects one’s self-esteem has yet to be proven. Check Your Understanding Use the following affirmative and negative expressions in a sentence. 1. scarcely - ______________________________________________________________________ 2. precisely - _____________________________________________________________________ 3. all right - _______________________________________________________________________ 4. never - _______________________________________________________________________ 5. neither - _____________________________________________________________________ 16 Copyright © 2018 Quipper Limited 0 0 Let’s Step Up! 17 Copyright © 2018 Quipper Limited 0 0
