Spanish grammar
Hedging in writing: todo apunta a que, cabe pensar que, no es descartable que
Hedge written conclusions: todo apunta a que, cabe pensar que, parece ser que, no es descartable que, cabría.
From the scene Todo apunta a que… (Everything suggests that…)
In short
Todo apunta a que, cabe pensar que and parece ser que take the indicative. No es descartable que takes the subjunctive.
Your turn
Which one goes with one may think that?
Options: todo apunta a que · parece ser que · cabe pensar que
Show answer
one may think that → cabe pensar que
How it works
Careful reports avoid flat claims.
Good to know
Todo apunta a que (everything suggests that), cabe pensar que (one may think that) and parece ser que (it seems that) present something as a likely fact, so they take the indicative.
Good to know
No es descartable que (it cannot be ruled out that) only opens a possibility, so it takes the subjunctive. Cabría + infinitive softens a suggestion.
everything suggests that todo apunta a que
Nuria
"Todo apunta a que el libro gusta al público infantil."
"Everything suggests that the book appeals to young readers."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"(blank) el libro gusta al público infantil."
Options: Cabe pensar que · Parece ser que · Todo apunta a que
Show answer
Nuria
"Todo apunta a que el libro gusta al público infantil."
"Everything suggests that the book appeals to young readers."
one may think that cabe pensar que
Nuria
"Cabe pensar que el casero causa impacto en los más pequeños."
"One may think that the landlord makes an impact on the youngest."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"(blank) el casero causa impacto en los más pequeños."
Options: Todo apunta a que · Parece ser que · Cabe pensar que
Show answer
Nuria
"Cabe pensar que el casero causa impacto en los más pequeños."
"One may think that the landlord makes an impact on the youngest."
it seems that parece ser que
Nuria
Parece ser que el parecido es notable.
It seems that the likeness is striking.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) el parecido es notable.
Options: Todo apunta a que · Cabe pensar que · Parece ser que
Show answer
Nuria
Parece ser que el parecido es notable.
It seems that the likeness is striking.
it cannot be ruled out that it is no es descartable que el libro sea
Nuria
"No es descartable que el libro sea ideal para dormir."
"It cannot be ruled out that the book is ideal for bedtime."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"(blank) ideal para dormir."
Options: No es descartable que el libro sea · Todo apunta a que · Cabe pensar que
Show answer
Nuria
"No es descartable que el libro sea ideal para dormir."
"It cannot be ruled out that the book is ideal for bedtime."
it might be worth adding cabría añadir
Nuria
"Cabría añadir una versión sin casero para recién nacidos."
"It might be worth adding a landlord-free version for newborns."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"(blank) una versión sin casero para recién nacidos."
Options: Todo apunta a que · Cabe pensar que · Cabría añadir
Show answer
Nuria
"Cabría añadir una versión sin casero para recién nacidos."
"It might be worth adding a landlord-free version for newborns."
Common mistake
Not es or será here. Only a possibility.
"No es descartable que el libro sea ideal para dormir."
"It cannot be ruled out that the book is ideal for bedtime."
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
| everything suggests that | todo apunta a que |
|---|---|
| one may think that | cabe pensar que |
| it seems that | parece ser que |
| it cannot be ruled out that it is | no es descartable que el libro sea |
| it might be worth adding | cabría añadir |
More lines from the story
- TomásSe lo leí a los gemelos. No lloraron. ¡Primera vez en su vida!I tried it on the twins. No crying. First time ever!