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MarvinTheMartian Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
How to report a discovery
0 Hi, once again, I'm having trouble to accurately put my thoughts into words. Some time ago, I was reading a scientific article about the possibility of life on Titan, a moon orbiting Saturn. When I tried to summarize what I had just read, the first sentence that came to my mind was "Scientists believe they may have found another celestial body that might be capable of sustaining life." However, this sentence is problematic as it suggests that the scientists in question weren't aware of the planetoid's existence prior to hypothesizing that it might harbor life. 02 br
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00 I considered an alternate way of saying it ("Scientists believe they may have discovered that there might be life on another celestial body"), but thought it was too vague (i.e. it could be referring to 01 i 00 any 02 i 00 celestial body) in addition to being awkward-sounding. 02 br
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00 Finally, I thought of the following sentence: "Scientists believe they may have found evidence of possible life on another celestial body." However, I have a problem with the word "evidence" as it makes it sound like an irrefutable discovery. In addition, I can't help but think there must be a simpler way of putting it (preferably, without having to specify the name the celestial body in question.) Any suggestions? 02 br
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00 Also, I would appreciate if you could point out 01 b 00 ANY 02 b 00 mistakes or inaccuracies you find in this message. Any mistake -- even the slightest! Precision of speech is sacrosanct to me. Thank you. 0-
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00 I considered an alternate way of saying it ("Scientists believe they may have discovered that there might be life on another celestial body"), but thought it was too vague (i.e. it could be referring to 01 i 00 any 02 i 00 celestial body) in addition to being awkward-sounding. 02 br
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00 Finally, I thought of the following sentence: "Scientists believe they may have found evidence of possible life on another celestial body." However, I have a problem with the word "evidence" as it makes it sound like an irrefutable discovery. In addition, I can't help but think there must be a simpler way of putting it (preferably, without having to specify the name the celestial body in question.) Any suggestions? 02 br
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00 Also, I would appreciate if you could point out 01 b 00 ANY 02 b 00 mistakes or inaccuracies you find in this message. Any mistake -- even the slightest! Precision of speech is sacrosanct to me. Thank you. 0-
Top answer
0 According to recent reports, scientists think they may have evidence of a celestial body that supports possible life-forms. 0-
- 0 According to recent reports, scientists think they may have evidence of a celestial body that supports possible life-forms.
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6 Answers
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0 According to recent reports, scientists think they may have evidence of a celestial body that supports possible life-forms. 0-
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1 blockquote 00 to 02 del 00 accurately putting my thoughts into words." 02 br
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00 As for your trouble with
01 cite 10 MarvinTheMartian 12 cite 10 I'm having trouble to accurately put my thoughts into words. 12 blockquote10 Well, since you ask for correction of any mistake. Say, "I'm having trouble 01 del
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00 As for your trouble with
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0 00 <<>> "Scientists believe they may have found another celestial body that might be capable of sustaining life." 02 br
00 <<>>>" 00 Scientists believe they may have found evidence of possible life on another celestial body." 02 br
00 I see no problem with the above statements. A lot of reported findings in the scientific community is based o
00 <<>>>" 00 Scientists believe they may have found evidence of possible life on another celestial body." 02 br
00 I see no problem with the above statements. A lot of reported findings in the scientific community is based o
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0 Thanks, Ray. I have this regrettable habit of splitting infinitives. Do you detect any more mistakes / incorrect sentence structures on my part? 02 br
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00 Thanks to everybody else on this thread. Is there really no other way of wording this? I understand that the word "evidence" is appropriate in my example, but surely there must be an easier way of saying it. After all, it
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00 Thanks to everybody else on this thread. Is there really no other way of wording this? I understand that the word "evidence" is appropriate in my example, but surely there must be an easier way of saying it. After all, it
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0 The fact is, any of your suggestions are fine; however, in the interest of your peace of mind I've modified your originals: 02 br
00 "Scientists believe they may have found another celestial body 01 del 00 that might be 02 del 00 capable of sustaining life." 02 br
00 "Scientists believe they may have discovered 01 del 00 that there might be 02
00 "Scientists believe they may have found another celestial body 01 del
00 "Scientists believe they may have discovered 01 del
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0 Your modifications make my statements sound too conclusive (in my opinion.) Is it ungrammatical to use so many auxiliaries in the same sentence? Did you feel my original sentences sounded awkward? 02 br
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00 Your last suggestion sounds acceptable to me. (i.e. "Scientists have discovered evidence that they believe points to the possibility of life on another celestial body.")
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00 Your last suggestion sounds acceptable to me. (i.e. "Scientists have discovered evidence that they believe points to the possibility of life on another celestial body.")
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