Short answers (part 2) “that clauses”

In this complete tutorial we are doing (part 2) of the series lesson about short answers and we’re going closely at “that clauses”. As a quick reminder “a short answer is an answer that does not repeat all of the words from the question”.

Watch the video here.

https://youtu.be/k2PGTOir2Uk

Often, we don’t want to repeat the information in a “that clause”.

In this lesson I’m going to show you how we can say a short answer which replaces a “that clause”

Example:

Joe: Do you think that you arrived early?

Ben: I hope that I arrived early. X (long answer)

Ben: I hope so. / (short answer)

         I hope it. X

         I hope. X

And here are the verbs that use this structure because obviously we cannot use this with all verbs so we use this with hope and also these verbs;

            believe, hope, expect, imagine, suppose, reckon, think, be afraid

Let’s look at some examples:

            Carl: Are you going to Las Vergas next week?

            Dave: I believe so.  (I believe that I’m going to Las Vegas next week.)

            Dave: I expect so.

Dave: I think so.

Dave: I reckon so.

Dave: I imagine so.

Dave: I suppose so.

Dave: I hope so.

Dave: I’m afraid so. (yes, with regret)

Now the opposites, how do we put these structures in the negative form.

Let’s start with an example:

Pat: Is the Director coming to the office?

            negative form of verb + “so”

Jake: I don’t believe so.                            Jake: I don’t reckon so.

Jake: I don’t expect so.                             Jake: I don’t imagine so.

Jake: I don’t think so.                                Jake: I don’t suppose so.

                                    Exceptions:

hope + not                            be afraid + not

Jake: I hope not!                               Jake: I’m afraid not.

                                    More examples

Mon: I think that you’ll pass the interview.

Dave: I hope so.

Jean: Are you sure you’ll know a lot of people there?

Kim: I don’t think so.

Paul: Will you be at the bar?

Rob: I expect so.

Alter: Have you bought me a wine?

Pam: I’m afraid not.

Anne: Is Dan going to pick you?

Susan: I imagine so.

Keith: Is it going to rain tomorrow?

Jim: I hope not.

So, there we are I hope you enjoy this lesson, don’t forget to subscribe, share, like and let me know your thoughts and questions. Love to hear from you.

Downloadable Material

Here’s the downloadable material of Tutorial on Short answers part 2 that clauses here.

For more readings

• TOO and ENOUGH | Use and Meaning in English
• The difference between “a little” and “little”
• The Difference between A FEW and FEW in English
• When to use “a little” and “a few”: English Grammar Rules
• Compound Words: English Vocabulary
• The difference between MUST and HAVE TO

If you have any questions or suggestions about Short answers part 2 that clauses, please feel free to leave a comment below or send us a message using our contact page.