I Think So: I Hope Not
I can respond economically while making clear what I endorse, fear or hope will not happen.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Your situation
At a planning meeting, Kai asks two questions: “Will the venue approve the event? And will they charge an extra fee?” Bea replies, “I think so.” The reply is too unclear for the minutes: does she mean approval, the fee or both? Later she clarifies, “I think they’ll approve it. I hope they won’t charge extra.”
Read the situation transcript
At a planning meeting, Kai asks two questions: “Will the venue approve the event? And will they charge an extra fee?” Bea replies, “I think so.” The reply is too unclear for the minutes: does she mean approval, the fee or both? Later she clarifies, “I think they’ll approve it. I hope they won’t charge extra.”
Why is the first I think so inadequate for the minutes?
Compare your idea
Two propositions are available, so the intended reference is unclear.
How it works
A propositional substitute inherits its content from the conversation. When there is a single clear question, I think so or I hope not can be economical and precise. When two proposals compete, name the proposition or divide the replies.
Keep mental attitude separate from truth. Think gives an assessment; hope expresses a desired outcome. I hope not after a positive cancellation question hopes for non-cancellation, not evidence that cancellation is impossible. Clarity may require more words.
One clear proposition → suitable so/not reply. Competing propositions → explicit clauses or separate labelled replies.
Notice this
Will they approve it? I think so.
Bea tentatively endorses approval.
Compare this
Will they charge extra? I hope not.
She hopes there will be no additional fee.
Hear the examples
Will they approve it? I think so.
Bea tentatively endorses approval.
Will they charge extra? I hope not.
She hopes there will be no additional fee.
I think they’ll approve it, but I don’t know about the fee.
The two propositions are separated.
Anyone wishing to withdraw may do so before Friday.
Do so substitutes for the action withdraw, not either earlier proposition.
One mistake worth avoiding
Instead of: I hope not means I know it will not happen.
Say: I hope not expresses a desired negative outcome, not knowledge.
The attitude expressed by hope is not a factual guarantee.
You say
Hear the prompt, answer aloud, then deliberately reveal or hear one possible model. Check it and retry with a changed detail.
Your turn 1
Answer two questions without an ambiguous single so.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
I think they’ll approve it. I don’t know whether they’ll charge extra.
Check yourself: Give each proposition its own status.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 2
Express a hoped-for negative outcome and admit uncertainty.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
I hope they won’t charge extra, but I haven’t seen the terms.
Check yourself: Do not turn hope into evidence.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 3
Use do so for a separate clearly identified action.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
You may withdraw your application; please do so before Friday.
Check yourself: Check that do so has an action antecedent.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Two guided self-checks
Say or write your answer before opening a model.
Self-check 1
Expand I hope not after “Will they charge extra?”
Compare a model and explanation
I hope they will not charge extra.
Preserve the desired negative outcome.
Self-check 2
Repair Bea’s initial answer if she meant approval only.
Compare a model and explanation
I think they’ll approve the event; I’m not sure about the fee.
Remove the competing reference.
Check your understanding
Choose one answer to each question, then check your answers. One of the ten questions is listening.
Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Use the answer key after attempting all ten questions.
Answer key with explanations
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Why is Bea’s first I think so ambiguous?
It follows two different propositions.: The reply does not identify whether she endorses approval, an extra fee or both.
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Which clarification states approval but leaves the fee open?
I think they’ll approve it, but I don’t know about the fee.: The correct answer assigns a separate epistemic status to each proposition.
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After “Will they charge extra?”, I hope not expresses ___.
A desire that no extra fee be charged: Not negates the positive proposition under hope.
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Does think so carry the same certainty as independently verified knowledge?
No: The attitude remains an assessment; the substitute does not strengthen it.
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Which reply avoids confusing hope with evidence?
I hope there’s no extra fee, but I haven’t checked the terms.: The correct answer explicitly separates desire from verified information.
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In “You may withdraw; please do so by Friday”, do so refers to ___.
withdrawing: The local action antecedent is withdraw.
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What should an editor do with an unresolved so in minutes?
Ask the text to name the intended proposition, using available context or a logged clarification.: Minutes should not silently invent the scope of a short reply.
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What does Bea hope will not happen?
An extra fee: The explicit clause hopes that they will not charge extra.
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Which reply has a single clear antecedent?
Will they approve it? I think so.: A single clearly identified proposition makes the substitute recoverable.
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What is the transferable lesson?
Match the substitute to a clear proposition and preserve the attitude toward it.: Reference and attitude are separate components of an accurate short reply.
Take it with you
I can respond economically while making clear what I endorse, fear or hope will not happen.