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Categorical Statements

Sample Answers

by Deborah Healey

Remember that with any of these, if you can give a source that says it's true, you may be okay.

Statement

Categorical or not and why

Suggested alternatives

All men are created equal.

Categorical - it uses 'all' and the simple present.

All men may be created equal. Most people believe that all men are created equal. All men are believed to be created equal.

Animals will stop eating when they get full.

Categorical - it uses future and no modifiers.

Most animals will stop eating when they get full. Animals normally stop eating when they get full.

Computers are a wonderful aid for teaching.

Not clearly categorical - it uses 'a' - but 'wonderful' is strong

Better: Computers can be a wonderful aid for teaching.

Comics in the newspapers are just to make you laugh.

Categorical - it uses 'just' and the simple present.

Most comics in the newspapers are designed to make you laugh. Comics in the newspapers are often just to make you laugh.

Americans prefer action movies.

Categorical - it uses simple present and no modifiers.

Most Americans prefer action movies. Americans tend to prefer action movies.

Sustainable development of the rainforest is necessary.

Categorical - it uses simple present and 'necessary.'

Sustainable development of the rainforest is probably necessary. Sustainable development has been recommended.

Everyone deserves access to health care.

Categorical - it uses 'everyone' and simple present.

Many people believe that everyone deserves access to health care.

Students learn more when they study in groups.

Categorical - it uses simple present and no modifiers.

Students seem to learn more when they study in groups. In many cases, students learn more when they study in groups.

Countries with more guns have more gun crime.

Categorical - it uses simple present and no modifiers.

It appears that countries with more guns have more gun crime. There is a link between more guns in a country and more gun crime.

Poverty is related to violence.

Not categorical - it uses the mild 'is related to' rather than a strong connector.

Milder: Poverty seems to be related to violence.

http://osu.orst.edu/~healeyd/s60/categoricals.html
Last updated 7/19/98 by D. Healey, Deborah.Healey@orst.edu

Statement	Categorical or not and why	Suggested alternatives
All men are created equal.	Categorical - it uses 'all' and the simple present.	All men may be created equal. Most people believe that all men are created equal. All men are believed to be created equal.
Animals will stop eating when they get full.	Categorical - it uses future and no modifiers.	Most animals will stop eating when they get full. Animals normally stop eating when they get full.
Computers are a wonderful aid for teaching.	Not clearly categorical - it uses 'a' - but 'wonderful' is strong	Better: Computers can be a wonderful aid for teaching.
Comics in the newspapers are just to make you laugh.	Categorical - it uses 'just' and the simple present.	Most comics in the newspapers are designed to make you laugh. Comics in the newspapers are often just to make you laugh.
Americans prefer action movies.	Categorical - it uses simple present and no modifiers.	Most Americans prefer action movies. Americans tend to prefer action movies.
Sustainable development of the rainforest is necessary.	Categorical - it uses simple present and 'necessary.'	Sustainable development of the rainforest is probably necessary. Sustainable development has been recommended.
Everyone deserves access to health care.	Categorical - it uses 'everyone' and simple present.	Many people believe that everyone deserves access to health care.
Students learn more when they study in groups.	Categorical - it uses simple present and no modifiers.	Students seem to learn more when they study in groups. In many cases, students learn more when they study in groups.
Countries with more guns have more gun crime.	Categorical - it uses simple present and no modifiers.	It appears that countries with more guns have more gun crime. There is a link between more guns in a country and more gun crime.
Poverty is related to violence.	Not categorical - it uses the mild 'is related to' rather than a strong connector.	Milder: Poverty seems to be related to violence.