Discursive Language

Exercise 1

could may might

There’s a slim/good chance that….
Will possibly/probably/almost certainly
It’s likely/unlikely/most unlikely that…

1. Why take out life assurance? 2. What chance has your country of winning the next football World Cup? 3. Which political party do you think will form the government in this country after the next election? 4. What is the probability of rain this evening? 5. Why does the teacher own an English dictionary?

Exercise 2

I agree entirely ! I totally disagree! Oh, come on!

Absolutely! Rubbish! Exactly Of course! That’s (very) true…

I’d agree with that! I don’t accept that! Yes, but don’t you think that…

Perhaps I’m not sure I know exactly what you mean…!

1 The ballot is stronger than the bullet. (Lincoln)
2 All happy families resemble each other, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. (Tolstoy)
3 Genious is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration. (Edison)

Exercise 3

could’ve
Things would’ve turned out quite differently if he’d done into television. might’ve

couldn’t’ve
I wouldn’t’ve become a teacher if I had married the President of the USA. mightn’t’ve

1. If Karl Marx had been a sculptor. 2. If you had been born thirty years earlier. 3. If the aeroplane had not been invented. 4. If the USA had decided on unilateral disarmament last year.

Excercie 4

Yet however though even so nevertheless

For qualifying statements:

1. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. 2. Half a loaf is better than no bread. 3. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. 4. A rolling stone gathers no moss. 5. Every cloud has a silver lining.

Exercise 5

Our greatest health problem will be solved when we discover a cure for cancer.
Comments

Fair enough but…