**限定语（qualification）**是限制主张适用范围的词或短语。“some”、“usually”、“only if” 和 “although” 这样的词可以完全改变一个论述，所以细心的读者会注意它们，并准确转述。
这项技能与区分论点与其支持相连。论点和它的限定语是一对：拿掉一个，另一个就变了。
限定语长什么样？
限定语有几种形式：
- 数量词： some, most, few, nearly all。
- 频率词： sometimes, usually, rarely。
- 条件： only if, provided that, unless, as long as。
- 让步： although, admittedly, it is true that。
- 时间或地点的限制： for now, in the short term, in cities。
每一个都缩小了主张成立的空间。“Teenagers need more sleep” 范围很广。“Most teenagers need more sleep than they get on school nights” 范围较窄，更容易辩护。
发现并使用它们的步骤
- 先把主张中的小词去掉读一遍，再带着小词读一遍。
- 圈出每个限制词或条件。
- 问：如果删掉这个词，作者就不再主张什么？
- 写摘要或比较时，把限定语带进自己的句子里。
例题
下面是一段原创短文。
“Online quizzes can raise scores, but only when the feedback arrives while the student still remembers the question. Some schools have found that results improve in the first term. Whether the gain lasts is less clear.”
步骤 1，去掉小词： “Online quizzes raise scores. Schools have found results improve. The gain lasts.”
步骤 2，圈出： “can”、“only when … while the student still remembers”、“some”、“in the first term”、“less clear”。
步骤 3，失去了什么： 作者并没有主张测验总是有效。好处取决于反馈是否迅速，只在部分学校观察到，而且效果能否持久并不确定。
步骤 4，准确的摘要： “The writer argues that online quizzes can improve scores, but only with quick feedback, and that it is uncertain whether the improvement continues beyond the first term.”
第二位作者可能说：“Online quizzes are a waste of time.” 两位作者并不只是对立：第一位在条件下接受好处，第二位则完全否定。注意到限定语，你才能公平地描述这个差别。
要留意的错误
常见的失误是转述主张时漏掉限定语。
错误摘要： “The writer says online quizzes raise scores.”
这把有条件的主张变成了笼统的主张。作者说的是测验 “can” 有帮助，而且 “only when” 反馈迅速。
改正方法是至少保留主要的限制：“The writer says online quizzes can raise scores when feedback is quick.” 多出来的词不多，意思却准确了。
自我检测
请看下面的原创短文。
“Homework diaries are useful for students who struggle to plan, although they add little for those who already keep a timetable. Parents should check them weekly, unless the student has shown they can manage alone.”
1. 列出短文中的两个限定语。
Show answer
以下任意两个：“for students who struggle to plan”（限制谁受益）、“although they add little for those who already keep a timetable”、“weekly”、“unless the student has shown they can manage alone”。
2. 这个摘要准确吗？“The writer says homework diaries are useful.”
Show answer
不准确。它漏掉了限制：作业簿主要对不擅长规划的学生有用。较好的版本：“The writer says homework diaries are useful for students who struggle to plan but add little for those who are already organised.”
3. 改写这个句子，使主张变弱：“Every student learns better in silence.”
Show answer
“Some students learn better in silence, especially when the task needs close concentration.” “some” 和 “especially when” 把主张限制在较少的情况里。
接下来学什么
本模块的最后一项技能，是判断一小段文字到底能告诉你多少。请继续学习说明从短文推断的局限。之后可以做完整的跨观点阅读练习。
准确转述作者的立场，这项技能在得到反馈后进步很快。我们的老师在线上一对一 First Language English 补习中会细致地关注这一点。