‘Academic English fr Tertiary Studies: AP 5 WEEK 3 FILE 19 MODALITY: DEGREES OF CERTAINTY we rig Modal | Adverbs | Adjectives [Expressions |Verbs [Nouns verbs weak —|may _| possibly contributing might factor could moderate | should | probably itis argued | appears to | factor apparently itcanbe | seems to argued tends to itis apparent strong | will |tkely ‘likely Itiscertain [is/are | cause must unlikely unlikely | there is no definitely | clear doubt absolutely | definite Examples of cautious language Weak degree of certainty Television violence may be a contributing factor to violence in society. Moderate degree of certainty ‘Television violence Is Strong degree of certainty probable cause of violence in society. ‘There Is no doubt that there is a strong link between television violence and Violence in society. Page tela (© UWSCatege Pry LdAcademic English for Tartlary Studies: EAP 5 wa ris ‘Task: Modify the following to make them more acceptable academic statements. 4. The media controls what me think. 2. Wealthy people have no compassion for the poor. 3. People who smoke will die of lung cancer. 4, People who drink heavily are more violent than people who don't. (© Uwscolege Pry Ltd