Lesson 20
Теория (Modality (degrees of certainty)
Modality = использование модальных глаголов, adverbs и выражений, чтобы показать:
- вероятность / возможность
- предположение
- уверенность
- необходимость / обязанность
На C1 важно правильно выбирать степень уверенности и избегать чрезмерной категоричности.
Степени уверенности
| Degree of certainty | Modality / Expression | Example |
| 100% certainty | must | The results must be correct. |
| High certainty | will / is certain to / is bound to | This strategy will improve efficiency. |
| Medium certainty | should / ought to / is likely to | The policy should achieve its objectives. |
| Low certainty | may / might / could / is possible that | The changes may lead to unexpected consequences. |
| Very low certainty / speculation | might possibly / could well / may well | This approach may well be more effective. |
Modal verbs for C1
Certainty
- must → логический вывод (на 100% почти уверены)
The data must indicate a problem.
- cannot / can’t → невозможность
This cannot be the solution.
High probability
- will / is bound to / is certain to
The new law is bound to affect small businesses.
Medium probability
- should / ought to / is likely to
The experiment should produce reliable results.
Low probability / possibility
- may / might / could / is possible that
This may cause minor delays.
Speculation / tentative
- may well / might possibly / could well / seems to
The initiative may well improve performance.
He seems to be unaware of the risks.
Adverbs to express certainty
| Adverb | Use | Example |
| certainly | strong certainty | This certainly demonstrates a trend. |
| probably | high probability | The results probably reflect the overall situation. |
| possibly | low probability | This possibly indicates a change in behaviour. |
| evidently / apparently | interpretation of evidence | The findings evidently support the hypothesis. |
| arguably | reasonable assumption | This is arguably the most effective method. |
Hedging + Modality
На C1 часто комбинируют hedging и modality, чтобы показать взвешенную оценку:
- It seems that → предположение
- may / might / could → возможность
- is likely to / should → более уверенно
Пример:
It seems that the intervention may well improve patient outcomes, although further studies are needed.
Common mistakes ❌
❌ The results will definitely prove the theory. — слишком категорично
✔ The results are likely to support the theory.
❌ This might possibly happen for sure. — двойное выражение
✔ This might happen.
Academic examples (C1 style)
- The findings must be interpreted with caution.
- This approach is likely to reduce costs in the long term.
- The proposal may well provide a viable solution.
- It seems that participants responded positively to the intervention.
- The changes should lead to improvements, although further evaluation is required.