Spotlight - 10.2019

(coco) #1

60 Spotlight 10/2019 SPOKEN ENGLISH


Not many things in life are certain. So it isn’t surprising that in
English, there are many different ways of saying that something
will probably happen or that it’s probably true (but may not be).

Probably
A simple way to talk about probability is to use the adverb prob-
ably. In positive sentences, it comes after the auxiliary verb and
before a main verb:
⋅ We’ll probably go sailing at the weekend.
In negative sentences, it comes before the auxiliary verb:
⋅ I’m Peter. You probably don’t remember me.

Modal verbs
You can also use the modal verb should:
⋅ You’re a good driver, so you should pass the test easily.
Use “should” to talk about things you want to happen:
⋅ It should be sunny tomorrow. (You can’t say “it should rain
tomorrow” — unless you want it to rain.)
You can also use the phrases may well or could well:
⋅ They may well reach an agreement today.
⋅ The company is in trouble. They could well go bankrupt.

Other expressions
Here are some other ways of saying that you think something
is probable:
a good / fair chance:
⋅ There’s a good chance that they’ll reply today.
⋅ I think we’ve got a fair chance of getting tickets.

SPOKEN ENGLISH


You should be OK


How do we talk about probability in conversational
English? Look at the examples, read the explanations
and try the exercises. By ADRIAN DOFF

MEDIUM PLUS

Exercise 2

Complete the sentences below with words from the list.

expect | luck | probably | should | unlikely

A. If you go to live in Hamburg, you learn
German quite quickly.

B. With any , I’ll be able to retire next year.

C. I’ll sign the petition, but it won’t make
any difference.

D. I’ve invited them to the wedding, but they’re very
to come.

E. It’s a bit late to go to the baker’s. I they’ll
be out of bread by now.

Exercise 1

Richard is applying for a job. His friends make various
comments. Which comment means what?

A. “It’s a bit of a long shot.”
B. “You haven’t got a hope in hell.”
C. “You’ve got a fair chance.”


  1. You might get the job.

  2. You probably won’t get the job.

  3. You almost certainly won’t get the job.


1.A–2B–3C–1 2.A.
should
B.
luck
C.
probably
D.
unlikely
E.
expect

be likely to:
⋅ I think the Green Party is likely to do well in the election.
I bet / I expect / I guess:
⋅ I bet they give her the job. She has such good qualifications.
⋅ I expect you’ll be looking forward to your holiday.
⋅ I guess you’re wondering why I’m here.
Here are some ways of saying that you think something prob-
ably won’t happen:
not much chance:
⋅ I don’t think we’ve got much chance of getting the contract.
be unlikely / not very likely to:
⋅ You can ask him, but he’s very unlikely to agree.
I doubt / I don’t expect:
⋅ I doubt whether we can still catch the train.
⋅ Sue’s very busy. I don’t expect she’ll have time to see you.

Idioms
If you say something is a (bit of a) long shot, you don’t think
there’s much chance of success:
⋅ I’ve applied for a place at Oxford University. It’s a bit of a
long shot, but they might accept me.
If you say someone doesn’t have a hope in hell of doing some-
thing, you think it’s very unlikely:
⋅ I’m running in the marathon. I haven’t got a hope in hell of
winning, but it will be good fun.
If you say something will happen with any luck, you hope it will
happen:
⋅ The weather forecast’s good, so with any luck, we’ll be able
to eat outside tomorrow.

Answers

auxiliary verb
[O:g(zIliEri v§:b]
, Hilfsverb

go bankrupt
[gEU (bÄNkrVpt]
, Bankrott machen

Find more exercises in
Spotlight plus:
spotlight-online.de/
spotlight-plus




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