LESSON 3 POSSIBILITY, PROBABILITY AND CERTAINTY OBLIGATIONS 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. Id stake my life on his honesty. I dont doubt that he could do the job. I cant see the situation changing much in the near future. I assume he knows what he is doing. 2. adjectives and adjectival phrases: Hes highly unlikely to arrive before nine. Hes bound / certain / sure to arrive at some point. 3. noun phrases: The chances are that interest rates will fall in the near future. Theres every chance / likelihood of interest rates coming down. Theres a strong / distinct possibility that interest rates will be reduced. 4. adverbs and adverbial phrases: Presumably, hell be back. In all probability, today. Maybe even this morning conceivably within the next half an hour. Doubtless, hell 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 wouldnt bet on her coming first. I doubt if well meet again. In situations like that, climbers dont stand a chance of surviving. 2. adjectives and adjectival phrases: Shes highly unlikely to have survived the earthquake. 3. noun phrases: The prospects of them surviving are slim. I have my doubts.

Theres very little / no chance / likelihood that the exchange rate will improve. Theres 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. Theres 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. Theres no way this project is going to see the light of day, I assure you. i. I wouldnt 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. Youll have the chance / possibility / occasion / opportunity to look over the house tomorrow. b. I have my doubts / uncertainties / beliefs / reservations as to this applicants suitability. c. The chances / odds / possibilities / probabilities are she will reject him. d. Id stake / offer / bet / invest my mortgage on the fact that shes honest. e. Our new gardeners bound / convinced / hoped / certain to make a good job of cutting the hedge. f. The new students bound / likely / sure / confident of passing the initial test. g. Shes in any / little / no / full doubt as to the identity of the intruder. h. It doesnt look as whether / though / how / if the meetings going to take place. i. Theres a distant / remote / far / distinct possibility that Ill be able to help after all. j. There will almost inevitably / probably / certainly / inconceivably be some troubles in the beginning.

OBLIGATIONS
A. Legal and institutional obligations.

1. we can express moral and legal obligations with verbs. Note that we often use the passive: Visitors are not allowed / permitted to picnic on the grass. Smoking on these premises is strictly forbidden. Chewing gum has been banned from the canteen area. Jim has now been barred from five different clubs. Guests are required to vacate their rooms by midday. Youre breaking the law. 2. we can express obligation or permission with adjectives: Military service is still compulsory in many countries. Is her evidence permissible in court? Joining the union is not obligatory. 3. we also use many prepositional phrases to express legal obligation: Is this within or outside the law? Some people think they are above the law. Youre under no obligation to say anything if arrested. Its in your contract. B. Moral obligation. 1. we can express obligation using nouns: Its your duty to help them. You have an obligation to support your family. Theres no need to feel guilty. 2. we can also express moral obligation using adjectives: He has been sent off for illegitimate use of the elbow. There has been talk of illicit liaison. Their demand were (totally) unreasonable. 3. we can also use verbs: Youre supposed to smile at all of your clients. Youre not expected to leave a tip. Youre not obliged to pay to go into the gallery. C. Personal obligation and freedom of choice. 1. we use many common phrases to express personal obligation: Its your job to make sure they all get back safely. Isnt it your turn to cook? Its up to you to tell him, after all, hes your brother. Its all down to you to decide if youre going. (= you must decide) 2. we also use a number of common phrases to suggest we have freedom of choice:

Its up to you what you wear. You choose. Do as you wish. Its your choice. Nobodys forcing you. No ones telling you what to do.

PRACTICE
1. Fill in each of the following sentences with an appropriate word from the list. compulsory illicit obligatory permitted illegitimate illegal permissible forbidden

a. Psychologists maintain that we are all tempted by the concept of the fruit. b. The referee deemed the punch and disqualified him. c. Its for children to buy cigarettes. d. The driver was found to have above the level of alcohol in his blood. e. Were affairs more or less common centuries ago than they are now, do you think? f. There are three . questions in the exam. g. Do you think I didnt see him yet would be .. in a composition? h. Is it the use of hyphens in two-year-old child ..? 2. Give the negative word for the following: a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. m. n. o. p. lawful permissible reasonable reliable moral legitimate rational consistent manageable pardonable necessary ethical essential acceptable loyal natural