Indicating likelihood
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Using modal verbs to indicate likelihood | page 7 of 7 |
Teaching implications
There are many ways that degrees of likelihood can be indicated in English 
. It is interesting that word classes
such as adverbs 
and adjectives are used to indicate modality more frequently than modal verbs .
In fact, according to an important study 
, modal verbs account for only 40% of ways in which probability
and likelihood are indicated in English - yet most Hong Kong coursebooks devote most of
their attention to modal verbs.
The implications for teaching are that teachers need to devote equal attention to other ways of indicating likelihood.
Written v spoken English
Note that certain modal verbs such as may occur more frequently in written English, whereas modals such as might, can't and would are more likely to be found in spoken English.
If you would like to see a teaching activity for S4 - S5 students which provides
practice in the use of modal verbs and adverbials to indicate likelihood, click on 
THE STORY BEHIND
THE FILM TITLE.
Introduction
Teaching implications
