Indicating likelihood
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Using nouns to indicate likelihood | page 1 of 5 |
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 nouns can be used to indicate degrees of likelihood, doubt and certainty. Note that different nouns indicate varying degrees of likelihood:
Indicating high likelihood (certainty)
One certainty is that Dr Baker will require many specimens in his quest for answers, and it is up to all pigeon fanciers to give him maximum support when it is required. (Bank of English)
If there is a child with the HIV virus at your child's school or playgroup, there is no danger of the virus being passed on during ordinary school activities. (Bank of English)
Indicating mid likelihood (reasonable probability)
The speed with which the paper is compiled increases the likelihood of mistakes. (Microconcord Corpus A)
Indicating low likelihood (weak possibility)
There is a danger that, in looking to the welfare of children believed to be the victims of sexual abuse, the children themselves may be overlooked. (Bank of English)
I've always been a player that if I didn't have a chance to win the tournament I didn't want to be out there. (Bank of English)
Although nouns are not as common as other means of expressing probability, such as modal verbs 
and adjectives, they are a resource that may be exploited by students, especially in more
formal English styles.
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Introduction
Indicating high likelihood
