Chapter 4 LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS

4.1 Agreeingand Disagreeing

Agreeing and disagreeing are typical elements of spoken English but may also appear in scientific writing. When writers want to compare their findings with those of other scientists, they may have to express their agreement or disagreement. For example:

* These results agree with the findings of X's research …
Other contexts in which phrases expressing agreement appear in scientific literature include making assumptions or conclusions.:

Assumption :It is generally agreed that …
Conclusion :In the previous chapter, we agreed to …

What language can I use to express agreement?

The following verbs and phrases express varying degrees of agreement. Verbs such as agree are normally used in the active form with a personal subject (except in the examples given above).

* We entirely agree with his views on …
* We are in complete agreement with …
* We would (strongly) endorse X's opinion on …
* Our findings support those of …
* We would agree with X in principle, but …
* By and large, we accept what X says, but …

How can I express disagreement

There are a variety of verbs and other phrases for expressing disagreement. In particular, some phrases are useful when refuting, or arguing against, another scholar's findings.

* We completely disagree with X on this point.
* We are in total disagreement with …
* (Regretfully), we are unable to accept X's conclusion that …
* We are not at all convinced by X's argument that …
* We have to say that X's argument is somewhat unconvincing.

Some linking phrases for contradicting what someone else has written:
* In actual fact, …
* In point of fact, …
* On the contrary, …

Here are some phrases for expressing partial or tentative disagreement:
* We agree with X's findings up to a point, but …
* X may be right in certain respects, but our findings show that …
* We respect X's work in this area, but our initial conclusions indicate that …

4.2 Classifying

Classifying means allocating an object or term to a class of objects or terms which has already been established. The items to be classified are first considered with respect to an essential feature, then compared, and finally grouped in a class according to their respective similarities and differences.

What are the elements in a classification model?

The classification model consists of these elements. Note that the feature used for classification may, or may not, be actually named in the final description.

1.Elements in the model
the superordinate term
(the overall word that includes all the others)
Example
low-carbon sheets and strip

2.Elements in the model
the feature used for classification
Example
(size)

3.Elements in the model
the items grouped together in a class
Example
The light gages of low-carbon flat-rolled steel products are classified as hot-rolled sheets, cold-rolled sheets, hot-rolled strip, and the still lighter gages as tin mill black plate.

What language can be used in classifications?
􀂃 The following prepositional phrases are very useful when talking about the feature used for classification (item 2 above):
XXX can be classified by according to size/weight/whether composition

on the basis of etc.

with respect to
with regard to

For example:
Classification of cast steels
Commercially, steel castings are classified as follows:
(a) low-carbon steels (carbon content below 0.20)
(b) medium-carbon steels (carbon content between 0.20 and 0.50%)