Low, Medium and High Modality

Low Modality Words

Low modality words convey less certainty and obligation, generally, this makes a piece of writing sound uncertain and doubtful. 

Examples:

almost can could generally I think likely mainly may might maybe moderately occasionally partly perhaps possibly potentially probably quite rarely scarcely slightly sometimes somewhat tends to unlikely usually would

Example: It may snow tonight. 

Example: I would be happy. 

Example: Perhaps the introduction of conservation efforts may help endangered species.

Medium Modality Words

Medium modality words sit in between low and high modality words. They are not completely certain, nor are they completely doubtful.

If high modality was definite, and low modality is impossible; medium modality words convey a chance that something may happen. 

Examples:

apparently frequently hopefully often

ostensibly presumably regularly should

Example: It should snow tonight.

Example: I am often happy. 

Example: It is likely that conservation techniques could help endangered species.

High Modality Words

High modality words convey certainty and higher degrees of obligation. When high modality words are used, confidence and intensity are conveyed to the reader making the language used in the writing seem more persuasive. 

Examples:

above all absolutely always believe certainly clearly compulsory convinced

decidedly definitely essential evident extremely have to important integral

is must necessary need never obligatory obviously ought to

positively required shall thoroughly totally ultimately undeniably undoubtedly

unquestionably vital will

Example: It will snow tonight.

Example: I shall be happy. 

Example: It is evident that the introduction of conservation techniques is essential to helping endangered species.

Activities for students:

Activity 1

Colour-coded words:

Colour-coded flashcards of modal auxiliaries and adjuncts for students to recognise the degree – green for low, orange for medium and red for high. The cards can be used for students to make statements about a topic orally then in writing. 

Other expressions could also be included.

Example: It is undeniable that…

Example: There is no doubt that… 

Example: There is no denying that…

Example: There is no doubt in my mind that…

Students could investigate which modal auxiliaries and adjuncts can go together e.g. could possibly, would certainly.

Example: If hunting occurs in national parks visitors may be in danger. 

Example: Hunting in national parks will cause problems for visitors. 

Example: Hunting will definitely stop families from visiting national parks.

Students can then order the sentences from weak to high modality or pass their sentences to others to write alternative sentences, changing the modality.

Activity 2

How many ways?

Students can be provided with a sentence about a classroom topic and asked to rewrite the sentence in as many ways as they can with different modalities, perhaps within a time limit. 

Example: Topic is 'Littering'

We might be able to deal with the littering problem ourselves. 

We can definitely solve this littering problem ourselves. 

We could deal with this littering problem ourselves. 

We will be able to deal with this littering problem ourselves. 

We can probably deal with this littering problem ourselves. 

We must deal with this littering problem ourselves. 

We can deal with this littering problem ourselves. 

We can certainly deal with this littering problem ourselves. 

Perhaps we will be able to deal with this littering problem ourselves. 

We could possibly deal with this littering problem ourselves. 

We need to deal with this littering problem ourselves. 

We should deal with this littering problem ourselves.

Students can then rank or group the sentences written on sentence strips and discuss which sentence they would include in their own writing and why.