DISTANCING EXPRESSIONS
Unit 2
New English Advanced
Distancing expressions are often
used, particularly in
journalism where a speaker or
writer wants to stress that the
information is second-hand
and comes from a specific
source, rather than being their
own knowledge or opinion.
seem/appear
It seems that the less children sleep, the more
likely they are to behave badly.
It appears that the less children sleep, the more
likely they are to behave badly.
Difference between seem and appear.
appear is slightly more formal than seem
It would seem that the less children sleep, the
more likely they are to behave badly.
It would appear that the less children sleep, the
more likely they are to behave badly.
This expression is more formal than It seems/appears
Impersonality: the passive
Using the passive is a way of avoiding the naming of a specific person
who is responsible for an action.
PATTERNS:
1.It+passive v.(agree,announce,believe,expect,hope,
report,say,suggest,think and understand)+that+clause
It is said that eating garlic stops you catching colds.
2.subject+passive verb(believe,expect,report,say,think
and understand)+to+infinitive
Salaries are expected to go down in a few months.
3.There+passive verb+to+infinitive
There are said to be more than 200 students waiting to join
our school.
apparently, according to, may/might
apparently( very common in informal conversation).
Apparently,there was a robbery last night.
Is she pregnant? Apparently
According to( to specify where information comes
from)
According to the Prime Minister, there´ll be a
reduction of unemployement in the next two years.
May/might ( possiblility)
The peace conference may find a solution to the
problem.