Grammar: Groups & phrases: Adverb group
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Expressing 'probability' | |
Indicating the degree of certainty: Form and function
In a functional approach, we try to show the relationship between form and function. We have been looking at how the grammatical form of adverb group can perform the function of 'expressing probability'. This function, however, can be performed by various other grammatical forms such as adverbs, modal auxiliaries, nouns and adjectives.
We always need to remember that there is never a one-to-one relationship between form and function: one grammatical form might perform a number of different functions, and a particular function might be expressed by a range of grammatical forms, as in the following table:
| Function | Form |
| expressing probability (modality) | adverb (He is possibly leaving tomorrow.) |
| adverb group (Quite possibly he is leaving tomorrow.) | |
| modal auxiliary (He might leave tomorrow.) | |
| noun (There is a possibility that he will leave tomorrow.) | |
| adjective (It is possible that he will leave tomorrow.) |
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