Hedged future & modal speculation

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

In 2006, Mary Meeker noted, quietly, that more people would soon access the internet from a mobile device than from a desktop computer. By 2014, she was right. Stewart Butterfield spent years noting that workers were losing hours each week to email threads.

Grammar Reference · Hedged future & modal speculation

Will — confident

Use will for predictions presented as near-certain. Mobile will account for most traffic.

Would — reported

In reported speech, will becomes would. She said demand would rise within two years.

May / might —

Use may or might to soften a claim professionally. This signal may indicate a structural shift.

Common error

If prices will fall... ✗ → If prices fall... ✓ — present simple after if

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Hedged future & modal speculation

1.The analyst noted that mobile traffic desktop traffic within a decade.

2.McKinsey's researchers believe the resale market continue to grow rapidly.

3.She predicted that shoppers choose fewer but higher-quality items.

4.The weak signal indicate a shift in consumer behaviour, but more data is needed.

5.Butterfield said that workers hours each week to unnecessary email threads.

6.If organisations reward bold vision only, quiet analysts go unrecognised.

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1.Meeker said: 'Mobile will surpass desktop by 2014.'

2.Butterfield believed: 'Workers are wasting hours every week on email.'

3.The McKinsey team noted: 'The signal may point to a structural change.'

4.Bezos insisted: 'Customers will always want lower prices and more choice.'

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

Personalise: complete five sentences about yourself using the target grammar.

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