MODALITY #2

High Modality / Medium Modality / Low Modality
Modal Verbs
[auxiliaries] / must, ought to, need, has to, had to / will, would, should, is to, was to, supposed to / can, may, could, might
Modal Adverbs / certainly, definitely, always, never, absolutely, surely, in fact / probably, usually, generally, likely / possibly, perhaps, maybe, sometimes
Modal Adjectives / certain, definite, absolute, necessary, obligatory / probable, usual / possible
Modal Nouns / certainty, necessity, requirement, obligation / probability / possibility
Modal Clauses and Phrases
[interpersonal metaphors] / I believe [that] …
It is obvious [that] …
Everyone knows [that] …
Researchers agree [that] … / I think [that] …
In my opinion …
It’s likely [that] …
It isn’t likely [that] …
If …, then … / I guess [that] …

Modal clauses and phrases [interpersonal metaphors] are a more indirect way of expressing modality and are therefore often used to make texts seem more objective and difficult to argue against.

In the text below, examples of modality have been highlighted.

School Violence

There are a number of possible reasons for school violence. Perhaps children who have problems at school or at home feel frustrated because they cannot solve their problems. They might not be able to talk to their teachers or parents and may sometimes feel that they have no friends. This frustration could possibly turn to anger and they may take it out on other people. Children who watch a lot of violent TV shows may think that violence is the best way to solve problems. Adults may need to help these children to express their feelings in a peaceful way.

Read the advice given by characters A and B to a small child. Which is more appropriate? Why?

A: Perhaps you ought not to stand on a Death Adder’s head. The snake just might bite you, and its bite could make you ill.

B: You must definitely not stand on a Death Adder’s head. The snake certainly will bite you and make you very ill.

Functional Grammar: Module 9 – Colleen Ahern & Kath Scotney