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English grammar

Saying exactly how sure you are

B2 · Upper intermediate Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

English grades certainty finely, and at B2 the grading is the point. From most to least sure: is certainly, must be, is bound to be, is likely to be, may / might / could be, is unlikely to be, cannot be. Adverbs do the same work — definitely, almost certainly, probably, presumably, possibly, conceivably. A speaker who owns only maybe and sure sounds either evasive or arrogant, and in a meeting both are expensive.

Pattern

must be > is bound to > is likely to > may / might / could > is unlikely to > cannot be

Examples

  1. The figures are almost certainly wrong.

  2. There is bound to be a queue on a Saturday.

  3. It is unlikely to make any difference at this stage.

  4. That cannot be the whole story.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: It is possible that it will maybe rain.

    Right: It may rain.

    Two hedges in one clause cancel each other out and sound uncertain about being uncertain.

  • Wrong: He is likely be late.

    Right: He is likely to be late.

    likely takes to before the verb.

  • Wrong: There must not be a mistake somewhere.

    Right: There cannot be a mistake somewhere.

    For a confident negative about the present, use cannot be.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    1. There is bound to being a delay.
    2. There bound to be a delay.
    3. There is bound to be a delay.
    4. There is bound be a delay.
    Show answer

    Answer: C There is bound to be a delay.

    bound to is followed by the bare infinitive after to.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. She is unlikely accept that offer.
    2. She is unlikely to accept that offer.
    3. She unlikely to accept that offer.
    4. She is not likely accept that offer.
    Show answer

    Answer: B She is unlikely to accept that offer.

    unlikely also takes to.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. That must be the wrong file.
    2. That musts be the wrong file.
    3. That must to be the wrong file.
    4. That must being the wrong file.
    Show answer

    Answer: A That must be the wrong file.

    Modals take the bare infinitive.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    The train _____ be late; it always is on a Friday.

    1. is bound
    2. is binding to
    3. bounds to
    4. is bound to
    Show answer

    Answer: D The train is bound to be late; it always is on a Friday.

    A near-certainty from experience.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    It _____ that nobody checked the address.

    1. is appear
    2. would appears
    3. would appear
    4. appear
    Show answer

    Answer: C It would appear that nobody checked the address.

    It would appear that is a formal hedge.

  6. 6Fill in the gap.

    That _____ be the same person; the dates do not match.

    1. may not
    2. cannot
    3. should not
    4. must not
    Show answer

    Answer: B That cannot be the same person; the dates do not match.

    A confident negative about the present.

  7. 7Fill in the gap.

    They will _____ ring before they come.

    1. presumable
    2. presuming
    3. presume
    4. presumably
    Show answer

    Answer: D They will presumably ring before they come.

    An adverb of assumption sits before the main verb.

  8. 8Fill in the gap.

    There is _____ chance of a refund at this point.

    1. little
    2. a little
    3. few
    4. a few
    Show answer

    Answer: A There is little chance of a refund at this point.

    little with an uncountable noun means almost none.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. It is certain to rain.
    2. It will probably rain.
    3. It is almost certain to rain.
    4. It is probably certain to rain.
    Show answer

    Answer: D It is probably certain to rain.

    Two conflicting degrees of certainty cannot be stacked.

  10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. He must not be at home; the car is gone.
    2. He cannot be at home; the car is gone.
    3. He is probably not at home.
    4. He may not be at home.
    Show answer

    Answer: A He must not be at home; the car is gone.

    must not expresses prohibition, not deduction.

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