ADVERBS OF CERTAINTY

These adverbs express how certain or sure we feel about an action or event.

Common adverbs of certainty:

certainly, definitely, probably, undoubtedly, surely

Adverbs of certainty go before the main verb but after the verb 'to be':

·         He definitely left the house this morning.

·         He is probably in the park.

With other auxiliary verb, these adverbs go between the auxiliary and the main verb:

·         He has certainly forgotten the meeting.

·         He will probably remember tomorrow.

Sometimes these adverbs can be placed at the beginning of the sentence:

·         Undoubtedly, Winston Churchill was a great politician.

BE CAREFUL! with surely. When it is placed at the beginning of the sentence, it means the speaker thinks something is true, but is looking for confirmation:

Example:

·         Surely you've got a bicycle?