These are all words for a statement that sth is true, although it has not been proved. 以上各词均表示未经证实的说法。

• claim a statement that sth is true, although it has not been proved 指声称、宣称、断言
• allegation (rather formal) a public statement that is made without giving proof, accusing sb of doing sth that is wrong or illegal 指无证据的说法、指控
• assertion (rather formal) a statement of sth that you strongly believe to be true, although it has not been proved 指明确肯定、断言

claim or assertion? 用 claim 还是 assertion？

• When the point in doubt is a matter of opinion, not fact, use assertion. 表示坚持观点而非断言属实，用 assertion：◆She made sweeping claims about the role of women in society.When you are talking about a matter of fact you can use either word; an assertion may be slightly stronger than a claim and it is a more formal word. 表示断言属实，两词可以通用。assertion 比 claim 语气稍强，且更正式。

Patterns

• a(n) claim/allegation/assertion that…
• a(n) claim/allegation/assertion about/of sth
• false/unfounded/conflicting claims/allegations/assertions
• to make/deny a(n) claim/allegation/assertion
• to withdraw a(n) claim/allegation

Verbs for reporting an opinion 陈述观点的动词

• ◆Some critics argue that Picasso remained a great master all his life. 一些评论家认为毕加索毕生都是一位大师。
• ◆Others maintain that there is a significant deterioration in quality in his post-war work. 其他人坚称他战后的作品质量明显下降。
• ◆Picasso himself claimed that good art is created, but great art is stolen. 毕加索自己声称，好的艺术是创造出来的，伟大的艺术却是偷来的。
• ◆ As Smith has noted, Picasso borrowed imagery from African art. 正如史密斯所述，毕加索借用了非洲艺术的意象。
• ◆ As the author points out, Picasso borrowed imagery from African art. 正如作者指出的那样，毕加索借用了非洲艺术的意象。
• ◆The writer challenges the notion that Picasso's sculpture was secondary to his painting. 作者对这种观点表示质疑，即毕加索的雕塑不及他的绘画。
• ◆ It has been suggested that Picasso's painting was influenced by jazz music. 据说毕加索的绘画受到爵士乐的影响。