How sure are you?
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The gap
English I think often hides a guess. Probably, maybe, and definitely are vague, and people read them very differently. Ageben has one word for could be. Its ending says what you plan to do about the guess.
The forms
| Drop-in | Meaning |
|---|---|
thomam | could be (the default) |
thomal | could be, and I'll find out |
thomar | could be, who knows (a passing thought) |
Put the drop-in where English would put probably: at the end of the clause, at the start, or next to the word it colors. It covers the clause it sits in. When you are not sure which ending fits, use thomam.
The last letter is an ending you will see again and again: -l, -m, or -r. Here it runs from the most settled to the most passing. -l is the most settled: you will settle it. -m is the default. -r is the most passing: a thought for right now only. A cue for the whole course: -l ≈ lasting, -r ≈ right now. None of the three is the "right" one. Checking, leaving it at could be, and letting it pass are all fine.
Saying the words: say every vowel as its own beat, the same way every time. a as in spa, e as in bet, o as in no (without the glide), and u as in you (without the y). th is the sound in this. So thomam has two beats, one for each vowel.
Examples
The package arrives Friday
thomam.
She's upset with methomal.
It'll rainthomar.
I left the stove onthomal.
The flight's delayedthomam.
I left the stove on thomal says you might have, and you're going back to check. It'll rain thomar is a thought you're not chasing.
Practice
Add the drop-in that fits the note.
1. The store is closed. (could be; you'll call and check)
Show answer
The store is closed thomal.
2. He forgot. (could be; you aren't saying more)
Show answer
He forgot thomam.
3. Aliens built it. (a passing thought)
Show answer
Aliens built it thomar.