Free reference guide · HSC English
High Modality Words in HSC English
High modality words express strong certainty or obligation. Compare must, will and certainly with softer choices, then explain their effect in context.
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Quick reference
- Certainty
- Certainly or definitely can present a judgement as firm. Perhaps or possibly leaves more room for doubt.
- Obligation
- Must and have to can present action as necessary. Should often reads as a recommendation.
- Context
- A modal verb can do several jobs. In “You must be tired”, must expresses a strong inference rather than a command.
Compare obligation with a recommendation
“We could protect the remaining trees” gives the audience a possible action. “We must protect the remaining trees” frames the same action as a duty.
The modal verb must makes protection sound non-negotiable. In a campaign address, the inclusive we can spread that obligation across the audience. A speaker who uses could may instead invite an audience to consider the proposal.
Try it yourself
Rewrite “The council might preserve the shelter” to communicate strong certainty. Then explain how the new wording changes the speaker’s position.
Show the response check
“The council will preserve the shelter” presents preservation as an expected outcome. “The council must preserve the shelter” creates obligation instead. Name the kind of stance before describing its effect.
Keep practising
These examples are original. For official assessment materials, see the NESA English Advanced HSC standards materials and check your course requirements.