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English grammar

Comment clauses: as it happens, as far as I can tell

C1 · Advanced Joining sentences Questions 10

The rule

Comment clauses let a speaker step outside the sentence to signal source, certainty, relevance or tone: as far as I know / can tell / can see, as I understand it, as it happens (actually, by coincidence), as you know, as I said, if you ask me, to be honest, to put it mildly, so to speak, strictly speaking, generally / broadly speaking, come to think of it, mind you, if I’m not mistaken, I gather, I suppose. They can open, interrupt or close a sentence, set off by commas, and they are the glue of natural conversation; several (strictly speaking, as far as I can tell, broadly speaking) are useful in writing too. Typical learner errors: according to me (use in my opinion — according to reports others), as long as I know (a condition, not a limit on knowledge), as far as I know it (no object).

Pattern

source: as far as I know · I gather · as I understand it · certainty: I suppose · if I’m not mistaken · stance: if you ask me · to be honest · to put it mildly · precision: strictly / generally / broadly speaking · so to speak · relevance: as it happens · come to think of it · mind you

Examples

  1. As far as I know, the shop is still open on Sundays.

  2. As it happens, I was just about to call you.

  3. Strictly speaking, the ticket is not valid on this train.

  4. The meeting was, to put it mildly, a little tense.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: According to me, the plan is too risky.

    Right: In my opinion, the plan is too risky.

    according to reports others; for your own view use in my opinion.

  • Wrong: As long as I know, he still lives there.

    Right: As far as I know, he still lives there.

    as far as I know limits a claim to your knowledge; as long as is a condition.

  • Wrong: As far as I can tell it, nothing is missing.

    Right: As far as I can tell, nothing is missing.

    The comment clause has no object.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    What does as it happens mean here?

    As it happens, I know the owner personally.

    1. If it happens again
    2. Whenever it happens
    3. Actually, by coincidence
    4. Because it happened
    Show answer

    Answer: C Actually, by coincidence

    as it happens = actually, by chance.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. As far as I can tell it, the figures are correct.
    2. So far as I tell, the figures are correct.
    3. As long as I can tell, the figures are correct.
    4. As far as I can tell, the figures are correct.
    Show answer

    Answer: D As far as I can tell, the figures are correct.

    as far as I can tell limits the claim to what you can see.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    The service was, to put it _____, disappointing.

    1. milder
    2. mild
    3. mildness
    4. mildly
    Show answer

    Answer: D The service was, to put it mildly, disappointing.

    to put it mildly softens a strong criticism.

  4. 4This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    According to me, the film is far too long.

    1. According to my, the film is far too long.
    2. To my opinion, the film is far too long.
    3. In my opinion, the film is far too long.
    4. According my opinion, the film is far too long.
    Show answer

    Answer: C In my opinion, the film is far too long.

    Your own view: In my opinion.

  5. 5Choose the correct sentence.

    What does the speaker signal?

    Strictly speaking, you should have asked first.

    1. That the speaker is joking
    2. That there is no rule
    3. That the rule is being applied exactly
    4. That the speaker is angry
    Show answer

    Answer: C That the rule is being applied exactly

    strictly speaking = applying the rule exactly.

  6. 6Put the words in the right order.

    Come to think of it I haven’t seen him for weeks

    Show answer

    Answer: Come to think of it I haven’t seen him for weeks.

    come to think of it = now that I think about it.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    1. The new manager is, if I’m not mistake, from Rotterdam.
    2. The new manager is, if I’m not mistaking, from Rotterdam.
    3. The new manager is, if I’m not mistaken, from Rotterdam.
    4. The new manager is, if I not mistaken, from Rotterdam.
    Show answer

    Answer: C The new manager is, if I’m not mistaken, from Rotterdam.

    if I’m not mistaken = I think so, but I may be wrong.

  8. 8Fill in the gap.

    You are giving your honest opinion to a friend.

    _____ you ask me, the whole plan is a waste of money.

    1. When
    2. As
    3. If
    4. Unless
    Show answer

    Answer: C If you ask me, the whole plan is a waste of money.

    If you ask me introduces a frank opinion.

  9. 9Choose the correct sentence.

    Which is the most tentative?

    Passing on news you are not sure about.

    1. The office will definitely move next year.
    2. The office is moving next year.
    3. I gather the office is moving next year.
    4. Everyone knows the office is moving.
    Show answer

    Answer: C I gather the office is moving next year.

    I gather = I have heard, but I am not certain.

  10. 10Change the sentence.

    Add the comment with as far as I know.

    The museum is free on Sundays.

    1. As long as I know, the museum is free on Sundays.
    2. As far as I know it, the museum is free on Sundays.
    3. As far as I know, the museum is free on Sundays.
    4. As far I know, the museum is free on Sundays.
    Show answer

    Answer: C As far as I know, the museum is free on Sundays.

    As far as I know, + statement.

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