How to sound less definite [on hold]
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Consider the below example:
1- Public transportation reduces the volume of traffic.
2- Public transportation would reduce the volume of traffic.
Is the sentence 2 less definite than the sentence 1?
Is it grammatically correct?
Overall, I mean that I am not 100% sure that public transportation reduces the volume of traffic, but I am pretty sure (maybe 99%) that it will reduce traffic. Besides, I do not want to use "may" because it is too weak.
grammar modal-verbs
asked yesterday
Jo Makintash
133
put on hold as unclear what you're asking by RegDwigнt♦ 16 hours ago
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
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up vote
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down vote
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Consider the below example:
1- Public transportation reduces the volume of traffic.
2- Public transportation would reduce the volume of traffic.
Is the sentence 2 less definite than the sentence 1?
Is it grammatically correct?
Overall, I mean that I am not 100% sure that public transportation reduces the volume of traffic, but I am pretty sure (maybe 99%) that it will reduce traffic. Besides, I do not want to use "may" because it is too weak.
grammar modal-verbs
asked yesterday
Jo Makintash
133
put on hold as unclear what you're asking by RegDwigнt♦ 16 hours ago
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
No. It may indicate certainty instead. You meant to use could, right?. Please see also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
21 hours ago
1
Less definite than what? What is the original sentence that you are changing? What is the context of this sentence? Please supply all the information that you have. All of it. If you can't answer this question with all the information that you have, we certainly cannot answer this question with none of it.
– RegDwigнt♦
16 hours ago
Also, "english" is the spin you put on a ball in golf or billiards. I don't think that's the word you're looking for. "March" is not the same as "march", "august" is not the same as "August", "May" is not the same as "may", and "english" is a completely different thing from "English".
– RegDwigнt♦
16 hours ago
Thank you for your time guys. I edited my question.
– Jo Makintash
16 hours ago
I think the term you are either looking for is either "less direct" or "hedging" You might want to consider changing word "definite" in the title
– Mari-Lou A
15 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
Consider the below example:
1- Public transportation reduces the volume of traffic.
2- Public transportation would reduce the volume of traffic.
Is the sentence 2 less definite than the sentence 1?
Is it grammatically correct?
Overall, I mean that I am not 100% sure that public transportation reduces the volume of traffic, but I am pretty sure (maybe 99%) that it will reduce traffic. Besides, I do not want to use "may" because it is too weak.
grammar modal-verbs
asked yesterday
Jo Makintash
133
Consider the below example:
1- Public transportation reduces the volume of traffic.
2- Public transportation would reduce the volume of traffic.
Is the sentence 2 less definite than the sentence 1?
Is it grammatically correct?
Overall, I mean that I am not 100% sure that public transportation reduces the volume of traffic, but I am pretty sure (maybe 99%) that it will reduce traffic. Besides, I do not want to use "may" because it is too weak.
grammar modal-verbs
grammar modal-verbs
asked yesterday
Jo Makintash
133
asked yesterday
Jo Makintash
133
edited 12 hours ago
asked yesterday
Jo Makintash
133
asked yesterday
Jo Makintash
133
asked yesterday
Jo Makintash
133
133
put on hold as unclear what you're asking by RegDwigнt♦ 16 hours ago
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
put on hold as unclear what you're asking by RegDwigнt♦ 16 hours ago
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
No. It may indicate certainty instead. You meant to use could, right?. Please see also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
21 hours ago
1
Less definite than what? What is the original sentence that you are changing? What is the context of this sentence? Please supply all the information that you have. All of it. If you can't answer this question with all the information that you have, we certainly cannot answer this question with none of it.
– RegDwigнt♦
16 hours ago
Also, "english" is the spin you put on a ball in golf or billiards. I don't think that's the word you're looking for. "March" is not the same as "march", "august" is not the same as "August", "May" is not the same as "may", and "english" is a completely different thing from "English".
– RegDwigнt♦
16 hours ago
Thank you for your time guys. I edited my question.
– Jo Makintash
16 hours ago
I think the term you are either looking for is either "less direct" or "hedging" You might want to consider changing word "definite" in the title
– Mari-Lou A
15 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
No. It may indicate certainty instead. You meant to use could, right?. Please see also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
21 hours ago
1
Less definite than what? What is the original sentence that you are changing? What is the context of this sentence? Please supply all the information that you have. All of it. If you can't answer this question with all the information that you have, we certainly cannot answer this question with none of it.
– RegDwigнt♦
16 hours ago
Also, "english" is the spin you put on a ball in golf or billiards. I don't think that's the word you're looking for. "March" is not the same as "march", "august" is not the same as "August", "May" is not the same as "may", and "english" is a completely different thing from "English".
– RegDwigнt♦
16 hours ago
Thank you for your time guys. I edited my question.
– Jo Makintash
16 hours ago
I think the term you are either looking for is either "less direct" or "hedging" You might want to consider changing word "definite" in the title
– Mari-Lou A
15 hours ago
No. It may indicate certainty instead. You meant to use could, right?. Please see also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
21 hours ago
No. It may indicate certainty instead. You meant to use could, right?. Please see also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
21 hours ago
1
1
Less definite than what? What is the original sentence that you are changing? What is the context of this sentence? Please supply all the information that you have. All of it. If you can't answer this question with all the information that you have, we certainly cannot answer this question with none of it.
– RegDwigнt♦
16 hours ago
Less definite than what? What is the original sentence that you are changing? What is the context of this sentence? Please supply all the information that you have. All of it. If you can't answer this question with all the information that you have, we certainly cannot answer this question with none of it.
– RegDwigнt♦
16 hours ago
Also, "english" is the spin you put on a ball in golf or billiards. I don't think that's the word you're looking for. "March" is not the same as "march", "august" is not the same as "August", "May" is not the same as "may", and "english" is a completely different thing from "English".
– RegDwigнt♦
16 hours ago
Also, "english" is the spin you put on a ball in golf or billiards. I don't think that's the word you're looking for. "March" is not the same as "march", "august" is not the same as "August", "May" is not the same as "may", and "english" is a completely different thing from "English".
– RegDwigнt♦
16 hours ago
Thank you for your time guys. I edited my question.
– Jo Makintash
16 hours ago
Thank you for your time guys. I edited my question.
– Jo Makintash
16 hours ago
I think the term you are either looking for is either "less direct" or "hedging" You might want to consider changing word "definite" in the title
– Mari-Lou A
15 hours ago
I think the term you are either looking for is either "less direct" or "hedging" You might want to consider changing word "definite" in the title
– Mari-Lou A
15 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
1 Answer
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When you say 'less definite', do you mean as an if statement e.g. if I go, will you come too? or as a factual statement that is just less forceful?
For the former, using would makes sense but you also need 'if' to make it a subordinate clause.
For the latter, consider 'could', 'should', 'might', or 'could possibly'.
answered 22 hours ago
Joseph Paduch
894
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Overall, I mean that I am not 100% sure that public transportation reduces the volume of traffic, but I am pretty sure (maybe 99%) that it will reduce traffic. Besides, I do not want to use "may" because it is too weak.
– Jo Makintash
12 hours ago
In that case, consider constructions like 'is able to' or 'shows promise of' - these both indicate public transport has the capability of achieving it, without any real guarantees. Using 'would' implies other provisos - it would improve traffic if [something else occurs]
– Joseph Paduch
7 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
When you say 'less definite', do you mean as an if statement e.g. if I go, will you come too? or as a factual statement that is just less forceful?
For the former, using would makes sense but you also need 'if' to make it a subordinate clause.
For the latter, consider 'could', 'should', 'might', or 'could possibly'.
answered 22 hours ago
Joseph Paduch
894
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Overall, I mean that I am not 100% sure that public transportation reduces the volume of traffic, but I am pretty sure (maybe 99%) that it will reduce traffic. Besides, I do not want to use "may" because it is too weak.
– Jo Makintash
12 hours ago
In that case, consider constructions like 'is able to' or 'shows promise of' - these both indicate public transport has the capability of achieving it, without any real guarantees. Using 'would' implies other provisos - it would improve traffic if [something else occurs]
– Joseph Paduch
7 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
When you say 'less definite', do you mean as an if statement e.g. if I go, will you come too? or as a factual statement that is just less forceful?
For the former, using would makes sense but you also need 'if' to make it a subordinate clause.
For the latter, consider 'could', 'should', 'might', or 'could possibly'.
answered 22 hours ago
Joseph Paduch
894
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Overall, I mean that I am not 100% sure that public transportation reduces the volume of traffic, but I am pretty sure (maybe 99%) that it will reduce traffic. Besides, I do not want to use "may" because it is too weak.
– Jo Makintash
12 hours ago
In that case, consider constructions like 'is able to' or 'shows promise of' - these both indicate public transport has the capability of achieving it, without any real guarantees. Using 'would' implies other provisos - it would improve traffic if [something else occurs]
– Joseph Paduch
7 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
When you say 'less definite', do you mean as an if statement e.g. if I go, will you come too? or as a factual statement that is just less forceful?
For the former, using would makes sense but you also need 'if' to make it a subordinate clause.
For the latter, consider 'could', 'should', 'might', or 'could possibly'.
answered 22 hours ago
Joseph Paduch
894
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
When you say 'less definite', do you mean as an if statement e.g. if I go, will you come too? or as a factual statement that is just less forceful?
For the former, using would makes sense but you also need 'if' to make it a subordinate clause.
For the latter, consider 'could', 'should', 'might', or 'could possibly'.
answered 22 hours ago
Joseph Paduch
894
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 22 hours ago
Joseph Paduch
894
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 22 hours ago
Joseph Paduch
894
answered 22 hours ago
Joseph Paduch
894
894
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Joseph Paduch is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Overall, I mean that I am not 100% sure that public transportation reduces the volume of traffic, but I am pretty sure (maybe 99%) that it will reduce traffic. Besides, I do not want to use "may" because it is too weak.
– Jo Makintash
12 hours ago
In that case, consider constructions like 'is able to' or 'shows promise of' - these both indicate public transport has the capability of achieving it, without any real guarantees. Using 'would' implies other provisos - it would improve traffic if [something else occurs]
– Joseph Paduch
7 hours ago
add a comment |
Overall, I mean that I am not 100% sure that public transportation reduces the volume of traffic, but I am pretty sure (maybe 99%) that it will reduce traffic. Besides, I do not want to use "may" because it is too weak.
– Jo Makintash
12 hours ago
In that case, consider constructions like 'is able to' or 'shows promise of' - these both indicate public transport has the capability of achieving it, without any real guarantees. Using 'would' implies other provisos - it would improve traffic if [something else occurs]
– Joseph Paduch
7 hours ago
Overall, I mean that I am not 100% sure that public transportation reduces the volume of traffic, but I am pretty sure (maybe 99%) that it will reduce traffic. Besides, I do not want to use "may" because it is too weak.
– Jo Makintash
12 hours ago
Overall, I mean that I am not 100% sure that public transportation reduces the volume of traffic, but I am pretty sure (maybe 99%) that it will reduce traffic. Besides, I do not want to use "may" because it is too weak.
– Jo Makintash
12 hours ago
In that case, consider constructions like 'is able to' or 'shows promise of' - these both indicate public transport has the capability of achieving it, without any real guarantees. Using 'would' implies other provisos - it would improve traffic if [something else occurs]
– Joseph Paduch
7 hours ago
In that case, consider constructions like 'is able to' or 'shows promise of' - these both indicate public transport has the capability of achieving it, without any real guarantees. Using 'would' implies other provisos - it would improve traffic if [something else occurs]
– Joseph Paduch
7 hours ago
add a comment |
No. It may indicate certainty instead. You meant to use could, right?. Please see also English Language Learners Good Luck.
– Kris
21 hours ago
1
Less definite than what? What is the original sentence that you are changing? What is the context of this sentence? Please supply all the information that you have. All of it. If you can't answer this question with all the information that you have, we certainly cannot answer this question with none of it.
– RegDwigнt♦
16 hours ago
Also, "english" is the spin you put on a ball in golf or billiards. I don't think that's the word you're looking for. "March" is not the same as "march", "august" is not the same as "August", "May" is not the same as "may", and "english" is a completely different thing from "English".
– RegDwigнt♦
16 hours ago
Thank you for your time guys. I edited my question.
– Jo Makintash
16 hours ago
I think the term you are either looking for is either "less direct" or "hedging" You might want to consider changing word "definite" in the title
– Mari-Lou A
15 hours ago