How the speaker knows
How did the speaker find this out?
Significado
A speaker can show whether information comes from seeing, hearing, being told, or working something out. This separates direct experience from reports and conclusions drawn from clues. Some languages require special forms to mark the source, while others use optional words or phrases. Certainty shows how sure the speaker is; How the speaker knows shows where the information comes from.
Como identificar
Look for words or forms that show the source of the information, rather than just how sure the speaker is.
Na tua língua materna
Brazilian Portuguese does not require a special verb form to show how the speaker learned something. Reports can be introduced with disseram que or dizem que, while pelo visto marks a conclusion drawn from clues. Direct experience can be stated with vi or ouvi followed by what was seen or heard.
Disseram que a padaria vai abrir aos domingos.
The information is presented as something other people said.
Pelo visto, o João já chegou: a bicicleta dele está ali.
Pelo visto presents a conclusion supported by the visible clue.
Eu vi a Luana saindo da farmácia.
The speaker explicitly identifies direct sight as the information source.
Na tua língua de aprendizagem
English can state the source with phrases such as I saw, I heard that, or judging by. Apparently can point to a report or a conclusion from clues, so context matters. English does not normally require a verb form that marks the source of each statement.
I heard that the cafe is closing.
The speaker presents the information as something they were told.
Apparently, the shop is closed today.
The speaker relies on a report or clues; the exact source depends on context.
Judging by the wet coats, it's raining outside.
The wet coats are the evidence for the speaker's conclusion.
Learners whose language requires source-marking forms may expect English verbs to carry that information. Learners whose language has distinct words for reports and visible evidence may assume that apparently identifies just one of these sources.