Certainty Signal
How sure is the speaker?
Signification
A signal of certainty, probability, doubt, assumption, hearsay, inference, or confidence.
Comment le repérer
Look for words like certainly, probably, maybe, apparently.
Exemples
certainly|probably|maybe|apparently|surely
probably true|maybe later|apparently finished
She is probably at home.
Visual guide
claim: She is at home.
^
certainty layer:
how sure is speaker?
maybe -> probably -> certainly
low mid high
Where can E07 live? adverb: probably particle: maybe modal verb: MOD + verb verb/mood: CERT-form same job: confidence
Vue par langue
Dans votre langue maternelle
Certainty is expressed with adverbs, modal verbs, conditionals, and discourse markers.
Elle est probablement déjà partie.
She probably already left.
Dans votre langue d’apprentissage
En anglais, la certitude se marque avec des verbes modaux, des adverbes, des verbes exprimant un point de vue et l’intonation.
She must be at home.
must = forte déduction/certitude
Les apprenants confondent souvent must, may et might quand ils expriment une probabilité avec leurs sens d’obligation ou de permission.
Same block, different coding
Both languages use this block strongly, but they signal it differently. Focus on form changes, not only meaning.