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Anonymous Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
A question on language structure and the representation of opinion???
I am in a debate with a person on the proper representation of opinion and would appreciate some input.
I am going to put forward a sentence and ask that you view it from the viewpoint of someone reading it or hearing the speaker.
"In any event, I think the whole "proper use of English" thing comes from a commonly held belief that English is actually your first language."
Is this entire sentence properly structured as a opinion or does the part "comes from a commonly held belief" suggest that they have an opinion supported by the following fact "that there is a commonly held belief"? If it is only the person's belief that there is a "commonly held belief" have they represented it properly or improperly?
I suggested that a person has a right to hold such an opinion but that the part of the sentence saying there "is a commonly held belief" is not properly represented as opinion and is more represented as a factual representation that supports the opinion portion of the sentence.
Any comments or insights are appreciated.
I am going to put forward a sentence and ask that you view it from the viewpoint of someone reading it or hearing the speaker.
"In any event, I think the whole "proper use of English" thing comes from a commonly held belief that English is actually your first language."
Is this entire sentence properly structured as a opinion or does the part "comes from a commonly held belief" suggest that they have an opinion supported by the following fact "that there is a commonly held belief"? If it is only the person's belief that there is a "commonly held belief" have they represented it properly or improperly?
I suggested that a person has a right to hold such an opinion but that the part of the sentence saying there "is a commonly held belief" is not properly represented as opinion and is more represented as a factual representation that supports the opinion portion of the sentence.
Any comments or insights are appreciated.
Top answer
Hi, Well, for starters, I'm inclined to think that fact and opinion are sometimes hard to define and to separate. If I say I believe there is a commonly held belief that the Earth is flat , is that a fact or an opinion? Or I believe that many people believe that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction ?
- Hi, Well, for starters, I'm inclined to think that fact and opinion are sometimes hard to define and to separate.
- If I say I believe there is a commonly held belief that the Earth is flat , is that a fact or an opinion?
- Or I believe that many people believe that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction ?
- Best wishes, Clive
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2 Answers
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Hi,
Well, for starters, I'm inclined to think that fact and opinion are sometimes hard to define and to separate. If I say I believe there is a commonly held belief that the Earth is flat, is that a fact or an opinion?
Or I believe that many people believe that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction?
Best wishes, Cl
Well, for starters, I'm inclined to think that fact and opinion are sometimes hard to define and to separate. If I say I believe there is a commonly held belief that the Earth is flat, is that a fact or an opinion?
Or I believe that many people believe that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction?
Best wishes, Cl
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[ (1) ] [ D ]oes the part "comes from a commonly held belief" suggest that they have an opinion supported by the following fact "that there is a commonly held belief"? [ (2) ] If it is only the person's belief that there is a "commonly held belief" have they represented it properly or improperly?
1. Yes, I would say so.
2. No, I don't see it that way.
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