MODALITY

Modality is the language user’s attitude towards the world. It is related to things such as certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity and ability.

IF + present simple

A2, ability, cause, CLAUSES, conditional, facts, instruction, likelihood, MODALITY, offer, possibility, PRESENT, simple, suggestion, true

“If + present simple + present simple in the main clause”: This structure is used to talk about things that are always true, such as scientific facts, or to give advice. For example, “If this happens, money only brings him loneliness, not happiness.” Here, the speaker is expressing a general truth or observation about the consequences of a certain situation.

“If + present simple + imperative in the main clause”: This structure is used to give advice or make suggestions. The “if” clause presents a condition, and the imperative in the main clause suggests what should be done if that condition is met. For example, “If you feel sick, see a doctor.” Here, the speaker is giving advice on what to do when feeling sick.

“If + present simple + can in the main clause”: This structure is used to talk about possible or likely situations in the future. The “if” clause sets up a condition, and “can” in the main clause expresses what will be possible if that condition is met. For example, “If we properly invest into data infrastructure and data preparation, all this can be avoided.” Here, the speaker is expressing that a certain undesirable outcome can be avoided if proper investments are made.

These structures are very common in English and are used in various contexts to express conditions and their potential outcomes.

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If + PRESENT SIMPLE + MODAL CLAUSE

B1, CLAUSES, conditional, FUTURE, MODALITY, possibility, PRESENT, result, simple

In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 74 in the category of CLAUSES/conditional is defined as: PRESENT SIMPLE ‘IF’ CLAUSE + MODAL, FUTURE, POSSIBLE OUTCOME: introduce a possible future condition, with modal verbs in the main clause, to talk about a possible result. A search in TED corpus for expert examples: If you‘ve got a couple of final words you want to share, that would be great. listen So if you look that up, you can hear more of those tunes. listen PELIC

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CAN + limited range of adverbs

ADVERBS, B1, MODALITY, range

In the English Grammar Profile, B1 point 120 in the category of MODALITY is defined as: ‘can’ with a limited range of adverbs (including ‘also’, ‘always’, ‘even’, ‘just’, ‘only’, ‘really’, ‘still’) in the normal mid position after the modal verb. PELIC STUDENT EXAMPLE: Some old people can only sit on the wheelchair. Chinese female level 3 writing class. A search on iWeb for: can_VM

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however | whoever | whatever + may + seem

C2, CLAUSES, concession, MODALITY, subordinate

Point 213 in MODALITY is defined as: ‘may’ in a subordinate clause expressing concession with ‘however’, ‘whatever’, ‘whoever’ + ‘it or this may be or seem Our examples: All you’ve got to go on is streams of electrical impulses, which are only indirectly related to things in the world, whatever they may be.     Compromises can be struck, however difficult it yet may be.     A search in iWeb for: however _JJ it|this may_V be|seem 1

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used to (questions)

C1, MODALITY, QUESTIONS

In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 201 in MODALITY is defined as ‘used to’ QUESTIONS For example:   The New York Times What problem did you use to have but now have licked? 19 Nov 2020 The following list does not specify whether or not it is basic past simple with the more common infinitive of purpose.  It must

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might * but *

C1, console, justify, MODALITY

In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 195 in MODALITY is defined as: ‘might’ followed by ‘but’ to console or justify The usage requirements seem a little too restrictive because there are other uses that show a high level of complexity.  Here are Google definitions for ‘console‘ and ‘justify‘ in order: comfort (someone) at a

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might (question)

C1, MODALITY, QUESTIONS

In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 194 in MODALITY is defined as: ‘might’ QUESTIONS For example: How might you mark up the diagram to figure out what to do next? iWeb doesn’t allow us variable-length queries so the best we can do is: might _P * * * 1 MIGHT YOU BE ABLE TO 191 2 MIGHT IT BE POSSIBLE TO 132 3 MIGHT I BE

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BE set to INFINITIVE

assertion, be, C1, FUTURE, MODALITY

‘set to’ just means: be ready or prepared to do something.   C1 English Grammar Profile point 209 in MODALITY  is defined as: ‘BE SET TO’ – strong assertion about the future, especially in institutional contexts An iWeb search for: _VB set to _VVI 1 IS SET TO TAKE 4027 2 IS SET TO BEGIN 3858 3 IS SET TO OPEN

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It can | could + be + said | argued | concluded | considered

academic, C1, CLAUSES, formal, impersonal, MODALITY, PASSIVES, REPORTED SPEECH

The pronoun ‘it’ can be used where the subject is unclear at C1, and verbs such as ‘conclude’ are only used by C1 learners.  For example: It was concluded that it never existed. However, this post is about reporting with modal verbs. C1 point 208 in MODALITY is defined as: ‘can’ in passive reporting clauses in a more formal impersonal

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need not have | needn’t have + PAST PARTICPLE

C1, MODALITY, necessity, NEGATIVE, PAST

In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 205 in MODALITY is defined as: PAST, NEGATIVE: ‘needn’t have’ + ‘-ed It means that somebody did something, but it was not necessary.  Also, note that uncontracted ‘not’ is possible. Here are two examples: You needn’t have come so far, Asgardian. listen In fact, she need not have hurried. TED Well, we needn’t have worried. A search in iWeb:

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negation + adverb with modality

ADVERBS, C1, exception, general, hedging, MODALITY, NEGATIVE, stance

Here are examples of using stance adverbs with negative modality: It will not necessarily be progress for India if she simply imports the unhappiness of the West. listen The phrase “not necessarily” means that what has been said or suggested may not be true or unavoidable. In the sentence above. it implies that importing the unhappiness of the West is not a certain or inevitable outcome of progress for

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adverb + adjective (emphasis)

ADJECTIVES, ADVERBS, C1, emphasis, MODALITY, modify, phrases

An adjective phrase can consist of an adverb + adjective.  In the following examples: ‘obvious‘ and ‘unlikely‘ are the head of the adjective phrases. Needless to say, Ares’ negotiating position was hugely strengthened when it became painfully obvious to everyone  that the giant US asset manager was the only bidder that had bothered to turn up at the auction. traveller.com.au   Therefore, all 42 Sinn Fein candidates would likely have to be elected to the 160-seat chamber  to give it a shot at emerging as the largest party, an outcome which remains highly unlikely. express.co.uk   The adverbs ‘painfully’ and ‘highly’ are used here to emphasize. C1

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BE + not + ADJECTIVE + that + CLAUSE

ADJECTIVES, be, C1, CLAUSES, hedge, hedging, MODALITY

In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 197 in MODALITY/expressions with ‘be’ is defined as: HEDGING ‘be’ + ‘not’ + adjective + ‘that-‘ clause to make an assertion less direct The EGP adjectives include: ‘certain’, ‘likely’ and ‘sure’ which are all related to hedging and modality such as certainty and probability. A search in iWeb for:

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Dare (question)

C1, MODALITY, QUESTIONS

In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 198 in MODALITY is defined as: ‘dare’ question form A search in iWeb for: Dare _P _VVI 1 DARE I SAY 8113 2 DARE WE SAY 1864 3 DARE YOU SAY 226 4 DARE I ASK 195 5 DARE I SUGGEST 157 6 DARE I MENTION 118 7

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will + usually | normally | often

ADVERBS, C1, habitual, MODALITY, typical

Here’s an example of using ‘will’ to talk about habits and characteristic (typical) behaviour: The suspect will often leave something behind. listen C1 point 189 in MODALITY is defined as: ‘will’ to talk about something HABITUAL AND TYPICAL The English Grammar Profile examples contain: will result normally will usually contain will often knock won’t usually be able to *We can’t

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How dare you!

C1, disapproval, MODALITY, offence

In the English Grammar Profile, C1 point 187 in MODALITY is defined as:  ‘how dare’ to express disapproval or offence about something. For example: “What? How dare you!” the queen huffs. A search in iWeb: 1 HOW DARE YOU ! ” 94 2 HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT 89 3 HOW DARE YOU TRY TO 64 4

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