Tonight, Night and her children, and the goddess Hesiod loved best. And we’ll learn how to show what we think about what we say.
Hesiod’s Theogony · C1+
Part Five: The Children of Night
Attitude and distance adverbs (seemingly, evidently, ostensibly, undeniably, invariably, reputedly, arguably, apparently, supposedly, purportedly): C1+ language for a poem full of rumours and personifications.
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SOPHIA
MARCOS
Apparently, I already do that.
The story
After Hesiod’s Theogony, lines 211–232 and 404–452
Night, evidently needing no husband, bore a seemingly endless family: Doom, Death, Sleep and Dreams, Blame and Woe, the Fates, Nemesis, Deceit (ostensibly friendly), Old Age, and Strife, undeniably the worst, whose children are Toil, Famine, Battles and Lies.
Night and Day invariably pass each other on the bronze threshold of Night’s house. They are never at home together.
Hecate is reputedly the goddess Zeus honoured most, arguably the most generous of all: apparently she helps kings, warriors, horsemen, athletes, fishermen and herdsmen. The hymn to her was purportedly written by Hesiod himself.
Zeus honoured her above all others.
How sure are you?
DEMETRIA
Evidently, she needed no husband. Strife is undeniably the worst.
SOPHIA
Some adverbs show certainty: evidently (we can see it), undeniably (no one could disagree), invariably (always). Others soften: arguably (one could argue).
Keeping your distance
PHILO
Hecate is reputedly his favourite. Sleep is supposedly gentle. The hymn is purportedly Hesiod’s.
SOPHIA
These adverbs say: people say this, but I am not responsible for it. reputedly, supposedly, purportedly (formal), allegedly, apparently (I’ve heard).
Appearance and reality
MARCOS
Night’s children are seemingly endless. Deceit is ostensibly friendly.
SOPHIA
seemingly and ostensibly both mean on the surface, and suggest the reality may differ. Don’t confuse ostensibly with ostentatiously (showily).
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| evidently, undeniably, invariably | certainty | Strife is undeniably the worst. |
| arguably | a polite strong opinion | arguably the most generous goddess |
| reputedly, supposedly, purportedly, apparently | distance: “people say” | The hymn is purportedly Hesiod’s. |
| seemingly, ostensibly | appearance vs reality | Deceit is ostensibly friendly. |
| ostensibly ≠ ostentatiously | a classic confusion | He dressed ostentatiously. |
Practice
Answer all the questions, then press “Check my answers”. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Choose
Choose the correct form.
1. He is ___ late: he has never been on time.
2. The film is ___ the best of the year (one could argue).
3. The minister ___ resigned for health reasons, but nobody believed it.
4. ___, the shop closes tomorrow. I read it online.
5. The castle is ___ haunted.
6. The task was ___ simple, but in fact it took hours.
B · Write
Write the correct form of the word in brackets, or the missing word.
7. She is the best player in the team: nobody could deny it.
8. , he had not read the letter: he knew nothing.
9. The painting was by Leonardo, though experts disagree. (formal)
10. He drove a gold car to impress everyone.
C · Right or wrong?
Is it correct?
11. “Ostensibly, he wore a diamond hat to impress everyone.”
12. “Supposedly, the treasure is buried here.”
13. “It is arguably the best book ever written.”
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