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Conditional and Passive Language
Conditionals and Other Evasives
Common conditionals are
| · Would
· Should · Could |
· “Can be”
· “Might be” · “May be” |
Now, it’s a natural human tendency to try to shirk blame for a wrong answer. But, the “wrongest” answer you can give is no answer. And, evading the question is just that – no answer at all.
I think you’ve all seen me marking the conditionals in your essays by now. So, I wanted to post this more formal explanation of it. I argue that these essays will be better with absolutely no conditionals in them at all. So, you’re safest to just eliminate them.
Here are some sample translations to preferable language:
| Conditionals/Non-Assertive
They should… The subject company might… They could… I believe that… A solution might be to… Passive Voice/Evasive It has been shown that… It has been said that… Anthropomorphisms This analysis shows that… The literature review suggests… |
Say it this way instead
They will… I recommend that the subject company…. I recommend the subject company develop the capability to… I forecast/predict that… As a solution, I recommend that…. Say it this way instead I have shown that… Managers in this industry were documented saying…(citation) Say it this way instead This analyst predicts that… Based on a thorough review of the relevant literature, I recommend… |
