Izzy Learns Modality and Nominalisation

Modality is a Must!
Modal words are used to manipulate the degree of certainty or force with which a written expression
delivers a statement. Modality can be high, medium or low. The term ‘mode’ means a way of operating,
or a level at which something happens. So ‘modality’ refers to the level or degree of force with which a
writer expresses probability, possibility, necessity, obligation, permissibility, ability or desire.

Nouns and Adjectives

1. Change these modal nouns into adjectives. Hint: express them in their shorter forms, as descriptors.

a) possibility possible

b) probability probable

c) necessity necessary

d) certainty certain

2. Which of these words is a modal adjective meaning ‘compulsory’? Circle one:

enjoyable [ obligatory ] casual exciting

Verbs

Some of the most commonly used modal words are verbs and adverbs. Verbs with low modality sound
moderate, balanced or tentative, whereas high modality verbs express strength, certainty or absolutes.
For example, the high modality verb must could be replaced with the lower modality verb, could.

3. First, underline the modal verbs in these statements. Hint: they can be more than one word in each.
Then, circle HIGH or LOW modality to show the forcefulness of these statements:

a) Elmore is considered
_________ a genius at grammar. [ HIGH ] LOW

b) Elmore _____
could be considered a genius at grammar. HIGH [ LOW ]

c) You must
____ see this film. [ HIGH ] LOW

d) You could
_____ see this film. HIGH [ LOW ]

e) I ____
must tell you why cats make better pets than dogs. [ HIGH ] LOW

f) I would
_____ like to tell you why cats make better pets than dogs. HIGH [ LOW ]

g) Everyone ______
should own a cat. [ HIGH ] LOW

h) Everyone can
___ own a cat. HIGH [ LOW ]

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 Izzy Learns Modality and Nominalisation
Modality is a Must!

4. Identify the modal verbs in these sentences and change them according to the instructions in
brackets. Write the replacement word in the space provided for each sentence.

a) Your grammar may improve if you work at it. (make into an authoritative assertion)

Your grammar will improve if you work at it.

b) You could practise your writing skills today. (make into an authoritative command)

You must practice your writing skills today.

c) We can win the debate if our argument is solid. (make into an authoritative assertionP

We will win the debate if our argument is solid.

5. Change the modality of the text for this promotional film poster to make it more powerful. First, identify
the modal words, then substitute them for high modality words.

“This may be the best film of the This is the best film of the year. It
year. It should keep you will interest you. All critics love and
interested. Some critics like it.” adore it.

Now, add two sentences in which you write about a film you like. Describe why people your age
should watch the film, using high modality language to emphasise your message.
Spider-Man far from home invokes an entertaining story, left with some cliffhangers. This movie will
entertain you without a doubt, making it the definite best movie of the year.

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 Izzy Learns Modality and Nominalisation
Modality is a Must!
Modal Adverbs

One common trio of modal adverbs is always, sometimes and never to describe the frequency of an
event.

6. Think about the function of an adverb to work out which word in each of these sentences is modal.
Underline each adverb (may be more than one word per sentence) and then write each adverb in
the table below, in the correct column, according to its strength. There will be eight answers for each
column. The first one has been done for you.

a) The power of good grammar cannot be ignored.

b) A win tonight is conceivable.
c) The first speaker ought to prepare better for her next debate.
d) Occasionally, dog people get fed up with dogs and discover the merits of owing a cat instead.
e) I’ve never heard a more flimsy argument in my life.
f) We frequently debate each other for fun.
g) The cat-loving people in the audience usually don’t own a dog as well.
h) We must remain calm.
i) Maybe the summary was the weakest part of our presentation.
j) You always blame others for your own faults.
k) We sometimes don’t agree on who should speak first.
l) He has confused the majority of his facts.
m) The host tends to ramble on for too long.
n) You certainly know what you’re talking about.
o) The rebuttals we have given might sway any people who are still undecided.
p) There is clearly no point arguing with you any longer.
q) We definitely have the upper hand at present.
r) Perhaps we are winning the audience over.
s) Generally, a debate like this would be decided by an audience vote.
t) I probably would argue on the opposite team next time.
u) It’s likely that the audience has stopped paying attention.
v) It is possible that negative comments will get the audience offside.
w) I rarely lose an argument.
x) Undoubtedly, this team will win the debate.

STRONG MODERATE TENTATIVE

cannot frequently tends
ought usually is
never maybe
must sometimes
always might
majority perhaps
clearly would
definitely probably
rarely occasionally
undoubtedly likely
possible

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