Distancing Language

Part I Activity: Complete the following sentences with one word to distance the speaker from the information. Sometimes more than one answer may be possible.

It __________ that the less children sleep, the more likely they are to behave badly.

2. It __________ appear that someone has been stealing personal items from the changing rooms.

Mark __________ to have aged a lot over the last year.

He may not look it, but he is __________ to be one of the wealthiest people in the country.

__________ to some sources, the latest research is seriously flawed.

Despite the fact that there will be an autopsy, his death is __________ to have been from natural causes.

__________ are thought to be several reasons why the species died out.

The missing couple are believed __________ have had financial difficulties.

It is understood __________ the minister will be resigning in the near future.

Part II Activity: Activity: Rewrite the Second sentence so that it means the same as the first.

Apparently, people who work night shifts die younger.

It would ____________________.