Modale adverb
Modale adverb uttrykker hvor sikker vi føler oss om en handling eller hendelse. Modale adverb står foran hovedverbet, med mindre hovedverbet er 'to be', hvor det i så fall plasseres det etter. Eksempler på modale adverb: certainly, definitely, probably, undoubtedly, surely.
Eksempler
- He definitely left the house this morning.
- He surely won't forget.
- He is probably in the park.
- He is certainly a smart man.
Hvis setningen har et hjelpeverb, plasseres det modale adverbet mellom hjelpeverbet og hovedverbet.
Eksempler
- He has certainly forgotten the meeting.
- He will probably remember tomorrow.
- He is definitely running late.
Iblant kan disse modale adverbene plasseres på starten av en setning.
Eksempler
- Undoubtedly, Winston Churchill was a great politician.
- Certainly, I will be there.
- Probably, he has forgotten the meeting.
Når det modale adverbet surely er plassert på starten av setningen, betyr det at taleren mener at noe er sant, men trenger bekreftelse.
Eksempler
- Surely you've got a bicycle.
- Surely you're not going to wear that to the party.