Lesson 3 - curs engleză

POSSIBILITY, PROBABILITY AND CERTAINTY

A. Likelihood – aside from modals, we can use a number of words and phrases to say how likely it is something that will happen. Some examples:

1. verbs and verbal phrases:

I bet you never write to her.

I’d stake my life on his honesty.

I don’t doubt that he could do the job.

I can’t see the situation changing much in the near future.

I assume he knows what he is doing.

2. adjectives and adjectival phrases:

He’s highly unlikely to arrive before nine.

He’s bound / certain / sure to arrive at some point.

3. noun phrases:

The chances are that interest rates will fall in the near future.

There’s every chance / likelihood of interest rates coming down.

There’s a strong / distinct possibility that interest rates will be reduced.

4. adverbs and adverbial phrases:

Presumably, he’ll be back. In all probability, today. Maybe even this morning – conceivably within the next half an hour. Doubtless, he’ll ring first.

B. Improbability - aside from modals, we can use a number of words and phrases to say how unlikely it is something that will happen. Some examples:

1. verbs and verbal phrases:

I wouldn’t bet on her coming first.

I doubt if we’ll meet again.

In situations like that, climbers don’t stand a chance of surviving.

2. adjectives and adjectival phrases:

She’s highly unlikely to have survived the earthquake.

3. noun phrases:

The prospects of them surviving are slim.

I have my doubts.

There’s very little / no chance / likelihood that the exchange rate will improve.

There’s a slight / slim possibility of her coming back.

Hopes are fading / Fears are growing as to their chances of survival.

The odds are against them coming out of their comas.

PRACTICE

1. Tick the sentences in which the speakers are optimistic that the project will go ahead.

a. I have little doubt that the project has great potential.

b. I must confess to a few reservations concerning the ultimate success of the project.

c. I have my doubts as to the wisdom of going ahead with such a subject.

d. There’s every chance that the doubts being expressed about the subject will be unfounded.

e. The odds are against such a project getting off the ground.

f. It’ odds on that the project will fall flat on its face.

g. I do believe that, contrary to public opinion, the project has every chance of success.

h. There’s no way this project is going to see the light of day, I assure you.

i. I wouldn’t bet against this project being the best thing to happen to us since the Euro.

j. But for a miracle, this project is bound to hit the dust almost immediately.

2. Underline which two options in each item are possible to complete the sentences:

a. You’ll have the chance / possibility / occasion / opportunity to look over the house tomorrow.

b. I have my doubts / uncertainties / beliefs / reservations as to this applicant’s suitability.

c. The chances / odds / possibilities / probabilities are she will reject him.

d. I’d stake / offer / bet / invest my mortgage on the fact that she’s honest.

e. Our new gardener’s bound / convinced / hoped / certain to make a good job of cutting the hedge.

f. The new student’s bound / likely / sure / confident of passing the initial test.

g. She’s in any / little / no / full doubt as to the identity of the intruder.

h. It doesn’t look as whether / though / how / if the meeting’s going to take place.

i. There’s a distant / remote / far / distinct possibility that I’ll be able to help after all.