Page 596 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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belief in spite of ...
Surely can be used when we say that we think something is true in spite of reasons to believe the opposite, or in spite of suggestions to the contrary. These sentences are often like questions.
I'm going to marry Sonia. - Surely she's married already? Surely that's Henry over there? I thought he was in Scotland. Is it tonight we're going out?- No, tomorrow, surely?
With not, surely can express difficulty in believing something. Tim failed his exam. - Oh, surely not?
Surely you're not going out in that hat?
You don't think fm going to pay for you. surely?
sympathetic
Sympathetic usually means 'sharing somebody's feelings' or 'sorry for somebody who is in trouble'.
I'm sympathetic towards the stri1cers.
She's always very sympathetic when people feeL iLL
Sympathetic is a 'false friend' for speakers of certain languages. It does not usually mean the same as, for example, sympathique, sympathisch, sympatisk or simpatico.
The people in my class are all very nice I pleasant I easy to get on with. (N OT • • • flre flU very sy77tpfltltetie.)
taboo words and swearwords introduction
Many languages have words which are considered dangerous, holy, magic or shocking, and which are only used in certain situations or by certain people. For instance, in some African tribes the names of dead chiefs must not be said; in many cultures, words associated with religious beliefs are used only on religious occasions, or only by priests. Words of this kind can be called 'taboo words'.
English has three main groups of taboo words and expressions:
A number of words connected with the Christian religion (e.g. the names Christ, God) are considered holy by some people. These people prefer to use such words only in formal and respectful contexts, and they may be upset or shocked by their 'careless' use.
Certain words relating to sexual activity and the associated parts of the body (e.g..fuck, balls) are regarded as shocking by many people. Thirty or forty years ago some of these words could not be printed or broadcast, and they are still
comparatively unusual in public speech and writing. In polite or formal language these words are generally avoided, or replaced by other words and expressions (e.g. ma1ce love or have sexual intercourse, testicles).
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