Words that Express Modality

Words to Express Modality

Hello English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. Developing knowledge of good vocabulary is essential in language learning. A comprehensive vocabulary will enable you to express your ideas with more ease and more precisely. You’ve probably learned all about modal verbs. But do you know that there are words that express modality too? In today’s lesson, we will look at ten pairs of adjectives and adverbs that express levels of certainty or obligation with loads of example sentences so you can think them through.

1. Certain/certainly
2. Clear/clearly
3. Definite/definitely
4. Essential/essentially
5. Necessary/necessarily
6. Obvious/obviously
7. Possible/possibly
8. Probable/probably
9. Sure/surely
10. Likely/unlikely

Possible/possibly

Possible and possibly are an adjective and an adverb to express the degree of certainty. They tell us how much is someone or something able to achieve something or how feasible something is.

• Is it possible to see the mountains from the balcony?

• We want to avoid any possible misunderstanding with our clients.

• Simon could quite possibly lend you some money.

• You can’t possibly carry that heavy suitcase.

Words to Express Modality

Clear/clearly

An adjective and an adverb clear and clearly are used to show that something is certain and obvious.

• Laura seemed quite clear about her intention to get a new job.

• I’m afraid I can’t answer your question because it isn’t very clear.

• Clearly, Jill was sad and wasn’t in the mood for conversation.

• Manchester United was clearly a superior team. 

Definite/definitely

Something definite is clearly defined and certain. We can use the words definite and definite to emphasize the intensity and strength of our opinion.

• I need a definite answer. Are you coming with us or not?

• Let’s fix a definite date and time for our meeting.

• I definitely remember seeing Gabby in the supermarket.

• Mary has definitely got a great dress sense.

Essential/essentially

Something essential is absolutely necessary and indispensable and very important. We use essentially to refer to the basic and fundamental nature of something.

• Empathy is an essential attribute to a doctor.

• It is essential to have some experience for this job.

• John is essentially a very patient man.

• The service in the restaurant was essentially very good.

Words to Express Modality

Necessary/necessarily

Something necessary is absolutely needed and inevitable and necessarily refers to a situation as a necessary result.

• Jack gave the necessary information about the robbery to the police.

• Reservations are necessary for this restaurant.

• Business relationships are necessarily formal in nature.

• Grades are not necessarily a true measure of a student’s knowledge.

Obvious/obviously

If something is obvious, it is easily seen and understood. The adverb obviously means in a way that can be easily seen and understood. 

• It was obvious they were siblings. 

• The famous musician’s obvious popularity made them all feel inferior.

• Sean obviously enjoyed food because he was overweight.

• Obviously, teachers must be very patient.

Possible/possibly

If something is possible, it can be done or exist. The adverb possibly is used to say that something can be done or exist.

• We need to consider any possible consequences.

• The doctors are discussing the possible renewal of my grandpa’s driving license. 

• Could we possibly finish the project by October?

• Regular exercise will possibly protect you from heart disease.

Words to Express Modality

Probable/probably

If something is probable, it is likely to happen or be true. If something is probably going to happen or is true, then it is very likely to happen or be true. 

• The doctors were discussing the probable cause of death.

• Is it probable to repair the car before dark?

• Their party will probably lose the election.

• Why are you waiting for them? They are probably not coming.

Sure/surely

If something is sure then it is totally certain of happening or existing. We use surely to emphasize that something is completely certain.

• I’m sure that our team will win.

• Are you sure you can fix this?

• Lack of exercise and poor diet are surely the main causes of obesity.

• I’ve surely met you somewhere before. Your face looks so familiar.

Likely/unlikely

If something is likely to happen, it will most probably happen and unlikely has the opposite meaning.

• The underground is likely to be late at this time of day.

• It is hardly likely that they will refuse our offer.

• Your plan is unlikely to succeed.

• It is most unlikely that it will rain today.

Words to Express Modality