THREE POINTS ON MODAL WORDS

I. Modal words can express

1.     Certainty – of course, no doubt, naturally, sure, surely, to be sure, sure enough

2.     Uncertainty – Perhaps, may be, probably

3.     Affirmation – yes, by all means

4.     Negation – not at all, of course not, by no means

II. Modal words show whether:

1.     The speaker considers the action desirable- happily, luckily, fortunately

2.     The speaker considers the action undesirable – un happily, un luckily, un fortunately

III. Modal words emphasize the meaning of the word or clauses - indeed, really