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Primary English · Year 5Chapter 5 · Modal verbs, possibility and the perfect form
Year 5 English · Modal verbs, possibility and the perfect form · Lesson 5.2

Year 5 English: Adverbs of possibility: perhaps, possibly, probably and certainly

Part of the Year 5 English modal verbs, possibility and the perfect form chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

5.2

Adverbs of possibility: perhaps, possibly, probably and certainly

Year 5
Use adverbs of possibility (possibly, perhaps, certainly, probably) (G5-3)
Story. Priya is describing the weather for the school newspaper. She writes, Perhaps it will rain. It is probably cold. It is certainly windy. Each word tells the reader how sure she is about her idea.

Key pattern

An adverb of possibility shows how likely or certain something is.

certainly means very sure: It will certainly snow.

probably means very likely: It will probably snow.

perhaps and possibly mean it might happen but it is not sure: Perhaps it will snow.

Key ideas

  • certainly is the most sure; probably is very likely; perhaps and possibly are less sure.
  • These adverbs usually come before the main verb or at the start of a sentence.
  • Do not use two modal verbs together, such as will might.
  • Put a comma after perhaps or possibly when it starts a sentence.
Worked example 5.2.1
Which adverb shows the writer is almost sure: perhaps, possibly or certainly?

Method. Look at the strength of each word.

  1. Compare the words. Perhaps and possibly are not sure; certainly is sure.
    sure
  2. Choose the word. Certainly shows the writer is sure.
    certainly
  3. Write the answer.
    certainly

Check. Certainly. ✓

Worked example 5.2.2
Write the adverb of possibility in The bus will probably be late.

Method. Find the word that shows how likely something is.

  1. Find the adverb. Probably shows how likely the bus being late is.
    probably
  2. Check the meaning. Probably means very likely but not certain.
    likely
  3. Write the answer.
    probably

Check. Probably. ✓

Worked example 5.2.3
Rewrite the sentence with perhaps: The cat will come back.

Method. Add the adverb at the start of the sentence.

  1. Add the adverb. Perhaps shows the writer is not sure.
    perhaps
  2. Write the sentence. Perhaps the cat will come back.
    Perhaps the cat will come back.
  3. Write the answer.
    Perhaps the cat will come back.

Check. The writer is not sure. ✓

Exercise 5B  Practice: adverbs of possibility

1
FWhich adverb shows the most certainty: perhaps, possibly or certainly?
2
FWhich adverb shows the least certainty: probably, perhaps or certainly?
3
FWrite the adverb in The shop will probably open at nine.
4
FChoose an adverb: The concert will ____ start on time. (The writer is very sure.)
5
FChoose an adverb: ____, the train is late because of the snow. (The writer is not sure.)
6
PSRewrite the sentence with possibly: The match will be cancelled.
7
PSAli writes It will probably certainly rain. Write one correction.
8
PSWhich sentence shows the writer is not sure: It will certainly be sunny or It will perhaps be sunny?
9
PSWrite the adverb that means very likely in a sentence about the bus.
10
RWrite a sentence about the weather that uses possibly.
11
RExplain the difference between probably and possibly.

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