Indicating likelihood

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Indicating high likelihood

There are only a very limited number of verbs which indicate high likelihood bordering on certainty, of which know and not doubt are the most common:

They know that compensation will be paid at the conclusion of the trial.
(Bank of English)

But despite any differences we have, I do not doubt that it is ultimately the same God we are seeking to access. (Bank of English)

Note that many verbs which are more commonly used to indicate mid likelihood, can be used to indicate a higher degree of likelihood with the addition of an adverb, or a submodifying adverb like very:

President Fidel Ramos offered amnesty to all communist and Muslim rebels along with errant soldiers and police in a fresh bid to end decades of conflict. "I strongly believe the time for talking is over. The time to decide and act has come.'' (Bank of English)

I believe very strongly that you make your own luck. Somebody once said, "D'you know, it's amazing how lucky I am - and the harder I work, the luckier I become." (Bank of English)

04conten.gif (549 bytes) Introduction
04conten.gif (549 bytes) Which verbs can be used to indicate likelihood?
square.gif (58 bytes) Indicating high likelihood
04conten.gif (549 bytes) Indicating mid to low likelihood
04conten.gif (549 bytes) Active or passive voice