English grammar
Hedging: I wouldn't say, I have the impression, I don't know to what extent, in a way, you'd need to
Soften a strong claim so it sounds reasonable in public.
From the scene I wouldn't say that
In short
Soften a strong claim with I wouldn't say, I have the impression, in a way, or you'd need to.
Your turn
Which one goes with I have the impression (that)…?
Options: I wouldn't say he's a thief · I don't know to what extent that's true · I have the impression he isn't telling us everything
Show answer
I have the impression (that)… → I have the impression he isn't telling us everything
How it works
In a debate you soften strong claims. I wouldn't say (that) and I have the impression (that) take a whole clause after them.
Good to know
I don't know to what extent and in a way make a statement less absolute. You'd need to + infinitive suggests something without giving a direct order.
I wouldn't say (that)… I wouldn't say he's a thief
Nuria
Come on, Tomás... I wouldn't say he's a thief.
Hombre, Tomás... Yo no diría que sea un ladrón.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Come on, Tomás... (blank).
Options: I don't know to what extent that's true · I wouldn't say he's a thief · I have the impression he isn't telling us everything
Show answer
Nuria
Come on, Tomás... I wouldn't say he's a thief.
Hombre, Tomás... Yo no diría que sea un ladrón.
I have the impression (that)… I have the impression he isn't telling us everything
Nuria
Say: I have the impression he isn't telling us everything.
Di: tengo la impresión de que no nos cuenta todo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Say: (blank).
Options: I have the impression he isn't telling us everything · I wouldn't say he's a thief · I don't know to what extent that's true
Show answer
Nuria
Say: I have the impression he isn't telling us everything.
Di: tengo la impresión de que no nos cuenta todo.
I don't know to what extent… I don't know to what extent that's true
Javi
Well, I don't know to what extent that's true. Yesterday you sold loads.
Bueno, no sé hasta qué punto eso es verdad. Ayer vendiste muchísimo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well, (blank). Yesterday you sold loads.
Options: I wouldn't say he's a thief · I have the impression he isn't telling us everything · I don't know to what extent that's true
Show answer
Javi
Well, I don't know to what extent that's true. Yesterday you sold loads.
Bueno, no sé hasta qué punto eso es verdad. Ayer vendiste muchísimo.
in a way in a way, yes
Tomás
In a way, yes. But the tourists buy one strawberry for the photo.
En cierto modo, sí. Pero los turistas compran una fresa para la foto.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). But the tourists buy one strawberry for the photo.
Options: I have the impression he isn't telling us everything · In a way, yes · I wouldn't say he's a thief
Show answer
Tomás
In a way, yes. But the tourists buy one strawberry for the photo.
En cierto modo, sí. Pero los turistas compran una fresa para la foto.
you'd need to + infinitive (a soft suggestion) you'd need to qualify that a bit
Nuria
You'd need to qualify that a bit, don't you think?
Habría que matizar un poco, ¿no crees?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), don't you think?
Options: I have the impression he isn't telling us everything · You'd need to qualify that a bit · I wouldn't say he's a thief
Show answer
Nuria
You'd need to qualify that a bit, don't you think?
Habría que matizar un poco, ¿no crees?
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| I wouldn't say (that)… | I wouldn't say he's a thief |
|---|---|
| I have the impression (that)… | I have the impression he isn't telling us everything |
| I don't know to what extent… | I don't know to what extent that's true |
| in a way | in a way, yes |
| you'd need to + infinitive (a soft suggestion) | you'd need to qualify that a bit |
More lines from the story
- JaviRelax. The mic was off. Sound technician, remember?Tranquilos. El micro estaba apagado. Técnico de sonido, ¿recuerdan?