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Hela Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

modals & degree of certainty

0Dear teachers,02br
02br
00Would you please tell me how you would classify these modals, please? From the less certain to the most certain:02br
02br
00You 01font00might 02font00be right00 = very uncertain02br
01font00may02font00 02br
01font00could 02font02br
01font00can02font00 02br
00You 01font00should02font00 be right / have been right. 02br
01font00ought to02font00 02br
01font00would 02font02br
01font00will02font00 02br
00You 01font00must 02font00be right = almost certain02br
00You 01font00are02font00 right = certain02br
01b01font02br
00OR02font02b02br
02br
01font00You 02font01font00might02font00 be right00 = very uncertain02br
01font00could 02font02br
01font00may02font00 (50% ?) 02br
01font00can02font00 02br
00You 01font00should02font00 be right / have been right. 02br
01font00ought to02font00 02br
01font00would02font00 02br
01font00must 02font00(90% ?) 02br
01font00can’t02font00 (90% ?)02br
01font00will02font00 (99% ?) be right = almost certain02br
01font02br
00Thank you for your help,02font02br
01font00Hela02font0-
  

Top answer

0Hi Hela,02br 02br 01font 02br 00In my opinion, it's not really possible or meaningful to approach these terms in this way. So much depends on context, tone of voice, emphasis, the relationship between the people, etc. Your suggested percentages might be right.

— Clive

  • 0Hi Hela,02br 02br 01font 02br 00In my opinion, it's not really possible or meaningful to approach these terms in this way.
  • So much depends on context, tone of voice, emphasis, the relationship between the people, etc.
  • Your suggested percentages might be right.
  • 02br 02br 00Best wishes, Clive0-
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3 Answers
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0Hi Hela,02br
02br
01font02br
00In my opinion, it's not really possible or meaningful to approach these terms in this way. So much depends on context, tone of voice, emphasis, the relationship between the people, etc. Your suggested percentages might be right. Or they might not.02font02br
02br
00If you want to pro
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0OK, Clive, if ever I have any doubt about the meaning of a sentence with a modal, I'll send it to you.02br
02br
00Have a nice day 050010id1
0
0
0 Have a look here. 05002br
02br
00 CJ040pid67841
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