What is an Adverb of Modality in English?

1. Introduction

In English grammar, adverbs are a powerful tool that help shape not just the action in a sentence, but also the speaker’s attitude toward that action. One particularly interesting and often misunderstood type is the adverb of modality. These adverbs don’t tell us how fast something happens or how often it occurs — instead, they tell us how likely something is, or how strongly the speaker feels about it.

Adverbs of modality allow us to express possibility, certainty, necessity, doubt, or even permission. For example, when someone says, “She will probably come,” the word probably signals that there is some level of uncertainty. Compare that to “She will definitely come,” and the difference in confidence becomes clear.

The goal of this article is to help you understand what adverbs of modality are, how they function in real communication, and how to use them correctly in your own sentences. Whether you're writing persuasive essays, giving polite suggestions, or speculating about the future, mastering these adverbs will make your language more precise and expressive.

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2. What Is an Adverb of Modality?

An adverb of modality is a word that expresses the speaker’s judgment about the likelihood, necessity, or permission of an action or situation. These adverbs allow a speaker or writer to convey confidence, uncertainty, obligation, or possibility — all without changing the core meaning of the verb.

In essence, adverbs of modality answer silent questions like:

• Is this certain or just a guess?

• Is this necessary or optional?

• Is this allowed or restricted?

Let’s look at a few examples:

• She will probably win the competition.
  → The speaker believes it's likely, but not guaranteed.

• They definitely forgot the appointment.
  → Shows full certainty.

• You should probably apologize.
  → Indicates advice or moral obligation, often softened.

These adverbs often accompany modal verbs (like might, must, should), but they can also stand alone to reflect mood or attitude. They are especially useful in academic writing, formal speech, and polite conversation — all situations where certainty or diplomacy matters.

While subtle, the impact of modality adverbs is powerful. They allow speakers to communicate not just facts, but also attitudes about those facts.