Scribd
Upload
301 views1 page

Expressions of Certainty

The document discusses expressions used to convey certainty and uncertainty about future events. It provides lists of phrases to express either certainty (e.g. undoubtedly, certainly) or uncertainty (e.g. may, could, might). It then discusses the functional meanings of various modal verbs like must, may, might, in terms of indicating certainty, possibility, or prohibition. Finally, it gives examples of using these expressions in sentences talking about future plans and predictions.

Uploaded by

zouhair
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
301 views1 page

Expressions of Certainty

The document discusses expressions used to convey certainty and uncertainty about future events. It provides lists of phrases to express either certainty (e.g. undoubtedly, certainly) or uncertainty (e.g. may, could, might). It then discusses the functional meanings of various modal verbs like must, may, might, in terms of indicating certainty, possibility, or prohibition. Finally, it gives examples of using these expressions in sentences talking about future plans and predictions.

Uploaded by

zouhair
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

EXPRESSIONS OF CERTAINTY EXPRESSIONS OF UNCERTAINTY

undoubtedly – crystal clear – no one can deny – may –could – might – unlikely - probably – I doubt
won’t be – are sure – certainly – must be if… - It’s improbable that…..-I think /guess etc

A / Expressing certainty:
Here are some phrases you can when you are sure that something will not happen in the future.
For example, to the question “ Do you think that scientists will find a cure to AIDS in the near future?”,
you may respond as follows:

absolutely sure absolutely sure


quite sure quite sure
I’m certain they will. I’m certain they won’t.
positive positive
No, definitely not.
Yes
definitely. certainly not.
certainly. absolutely not.
of course.

B / Expressing uncertainty:

When you are not sure whether something will happen in the future, you can use these useful phrases:

it’s possible. I wouldn’t like to say for certain.


there might be. I’m not really sure.
it could happen. I doubt it.
it’s not possible. I suppose I have my doubts.
Well, but
it’s doubtful.
it’s highly unlikely.
you never know of course. it’s improbable.
no one can say for certain.

Functional meaning of modals:


Must : certainty, obligation, ( 100% necessary to do something.)
mustn’t : prohibition ( 100% necessary not to do something.)
may : possibility – probability ( it’s about 50% possible )
might : possibility ( less than 50% possible )
needn’t : ( lack of necessity )
should : advice ( it’s a good idea )
shouldn’t : ( it’s a bad idea )
can’t : impossibility.( it’s impossible)

 When I leave school, I may go to a university of science or I can even get a job at a laboratory.
 This must be the laboratory – there are instruments and products of scientific research.
 I’ll probably come back to see the manager next week if I am free.
 I think / guess they are going to offer me a job as I have the ideal profile.
 They will certainly interview me about my past experience as they usually do.
 I guess / think their wages are high and their technology is advanced.
 I certainly will enjoy myself working in this laboratory; I am fond of science and technology.
 Computers are likely to replace teachers in a few years’ time.
 It’s positive that the problem of unemployment will be solved if drastic measures are taken.
 I bet the rate of illiteracy in our country will decrease in the next decade.
 We needn’t raise taxes. We have made a lot of money out of phosphates sales this year.

You might also like