Speaking: Functional Language B2 - Lesson 5: Expressing Degrees of Certainty & Doubt 🗣️💯❓
Objective: To learn and practice a range of expressions for indicating different degrees of certainty (how sure you are) and doubt when making statements, predictions, or speculations.
- Understand how to express strong certainty, both positive and negative.
- Learn phrases for expressing moderate certainty or likelihood.
- Practice using language to convey uncertainty, possibility, or doubt.
- Recognize the role of modal verbs and adverbs in expressing these nuances.
- Apply these skills in various conversational contexts.
When we speak, we are not always 100% sure about the information we share. It's important to be able to express different degrees of certainty and doubt. This not only makes your communication more precise and honest but also helps manage expectations and avoid sounding overly assertive or completely unsure when that's not your intention. This lesson will focus on the language used to show how confident you are in what you're saying.
1. Expressing Strong Certainty (Almost 100% Sure)
A. Positive Certainty:
- "I'm sure / certain / positive (that)..."
- "There's no doubt (that)..." / "Undoubtedly,..."
- "It's definite (that)..." / "Definitely,..."
- Modal: "She's been studying all week. She must be ready for the test." (Logical conclusion)
- Modal Perfect: "He arrived on time. He must have taken an early bus."
B. Negative Certainty (Almost 100% Sure something is NOT true/possible):
- "I'm sure (that)... not..." / "I'm certain he won't be late."
- "It's impossible that..." / "There's no way (that)..."
- Modal: "He just ate a big lunch. He can't be hungry again."
- Modal Perfect: "She was in Battambang yesterday. She couldn't have attended the meeting in Phnom Penh."
2. Expressing Moderate Certainty / Likelihood (Probably Sure, approx. 50-90%)
- "I think it's likely (that)..." / "It's probable (that)..." / "Probably,..."
- "I expect (that)..." / "I imagine (that)..." / "I anticipate (that)..."
- "I suppose..." / "I guess..." (Can also indicate less certainty or reluctance depending on intonation)
- "Chances are (that)..." / "There's a good chance (that)..."
- Modals: "She should be home by now." (Expectation) / "That ought to be enough rice for everyone."
3. Expressing Uncertainty / Doubt / Possibility (Less than 50% Sure)
- "I'm not sure (if/whether/about)..." / "I'm not certain..."
- "It's possible (that)..." / "Possibly,..." / "Perhaps..." / "Maybe..."
- "There's a slight chance (that)..." / "There's an outside chance (that)..."
- "I doubt (that)..." / "I'm doubtful whether..."
- Modals: "It might rain." / "He may come." / "They could arrive late."
- Modal Perfects: "He might have forgotten about the meeting."
- "I wouldn't be surprised if..." / "I wonder if/whether..."
Practice Activities
Activity 1: How Certain Are They?
Read the sentences. What degree of certainty or doubt is expressed? (Strong Certainty, Moderate Certainty/Likelihood, Uncertainty/Doubt). Click the button for a sample answer.
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"There's no doubt that climate change is a serious global issue."
Strong Certainty (Positive)
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"She might join us later, but she's not sure yet."
Uncertainty/Possibility
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"He can't have finished the entire book in one day!"
Strong Certainty (Negative - that he didn't finish)
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"It's probable that the new market in Battambang will attract more tourists."
Moderate Certainty/Likelihood
Activity 2: Expressing Your Own Certainty
Respond to the following statements/questions, expressing the degree of certainty indicated in brackets.
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Statement: "The Pchum Ben holiday will be very busy in the countryside this year."
(Respond with strong certainty - positive)Your response:
"Yes, I'm positive it will be very busy. / Undoubtedly, it's going to be packed." -
Question: "Do you think it will rain during the Water Festival in Phnom Penh?"
(Respond with uncertainty/possibility)Your response:
"Hmm, it's possible. There's always a chance of rain that time of year, but I'm not sure." / "It might rain, but hopefully not!" -
Statement: "He said he saw an ancient treasure map near Angkor Thom."
(Respond with strong certainty - negative/doubt)Your response:
"That can't be true! / I seriously doubt he found anything like that."
Activity 3: Discussion with Speculation
With a partner, discuss one of the following topics. Use language to express varying degrees of certainty and doubt about your ideas.
- What do you think Cambodia will be like in 20 years? (e.g., technology, environment, lifestyle)
- What are some possible reasons for the decline of the Angkorian empire? (historical speculation)
- What might be the biggest challenges for young people in Cambodia in the next decade?
- Listen to intonation: The way your voice rises or falls can reinforce your level of certainty or doubt. A more hesitant tone often accompanies uncertainty.
- Use adverbs: Words like "definitely," "certainly," "probably," "possibly," "perhaps," "maybe" are very useful for fine-tuning your meaning.
- Be culturally aware: In some situations, expressing very strong certainty might seem too direct or even arrogant. It's often polite to soften strong claims.
- Don't overstate your certainty: Only use phrases like "I'm sure" or "definitely" if you genuinely have strong reasons to be certain.
- It's okay to be unsure: Using phrases of uncertainty is natural and honest when you don't have all the facts.
Summary: Effectively expressing degrees of certainty and doubt allows for more nuanced, precise, and honest communication. By using a range of modal verbs, adverbs, and set phrases, you can clearly convey how sure (or unsure) you are about your statements, predictions, and speculations. This skill is essential for engaging in thoughtful discussions and managing expectations in English.