Indicating likelihood
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Using modal verbs to indicate likelihood | page 1 of 7 |
Introduction
Speakers are able to indicate their opinion about how certain they are that something
is true or likely to happen in a number of ways 
.
This file gives details of the ways that modal verbs 
can be used to indicate degrees of likelihood,
doubt and certainty. Note that different modals are typically used to indicate varying
degrees of likelihood:
Indicating high likelihood (certainty)
Of course the season must be nearly starting now, isn't it? (Bank of English)
Indicating mid likelihood (reasonable probability)
If you've got all those elements there and you narrow it down to documents which really affect national security, then you ought to get the right results. (Bank of English)
Indicating low likelihood (weak possibility)
I didn't wanna take two people on, on the basis that the job mightn't be there after Christmas. (Bank of English)
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Introduction
List of modal verbs which can be used to indicate likelihood
