Tentativity - or Fact/Belief Status

[Nurses will go on strike because they think their salaries are too low]
This is a common problem, firstly stating a future action as a definite fact (they will …), and using the simple present to imply certainty about a belief or attitude (they think …). E.g.:

Task 3: Show that the following are beliefs:

a) "Most respondents thought that Clinton would resign"

b) "Hong Kong people think the price of housing is too high"

c) "80% of the respondents only read Chinese language newspapers"

Answers: See Delicacy Notes for suggested improvements in language delicacy.