Nuancer et modaliser
Nuance and modality
Nuance and modality
At B2, a strong written argument is rarely a string of blunt assertions. The examiners of the TEF Canada and TCF Canada reward candidates who can nuance a claim, signal how certain they are, and concede a point before pushing back. This skill is called modalisation: shading what you say so it sounds measured, fair and credible rather than dogmatic.
Three grammatical tools do most of the work. First, modalising verbs and adverbs (sembler, paraître, il semblerait que, sans doute, vraisemblablement) signal degrees of certainty. Second, the conditionnel reports unverified information and softens an opinion. Third, the subjonctif appears after expressions of doubt, possibility or concession, marking that a fact is not presented as certain.
| il semblerait que | it would seem that (+ subjunctive) |
| il se pourrait que | it could be that (+ subjunctive) |
| sans doute | probably, no doubt |
| vraisemblablement | in all likelihood |
| dans une certaine mesure | to a certain extent |
| force est de constater que | one cannot but note that |
| il n'en demeure pas moins que | the fact remains that |
| certes, ... mais | admittedly, ... but |
| on aurait tort de | one would be wrong to |
| il conviendrait de | it would be advisable to |
| loin de moi l'idée que | far be it from me to suggest that |
| à supposer que | supposing that (+ subjunctive) |
| quoi qu'il en soit | be that as it may |
| tout porte à croire que | everything suggests that |
Associez chaque expression de modalisation à son sens.
Match each modalising expression with its meaning.
- il semblerait que
- il n'en demeure pas moins que
- dans une certaine mesure
- on aurait tort de
- vraisemblablement
- quoi qu'il en soit
Choisissez la forme verbale correcte après ce modalisateur.
Choose the correct verb form after this modaliser.
Complétez avec le subjonctif de être.
Complete with the subjunctive of être.
Il semblerait que ce raisonnement ____ un peu rapide.
Grammar: the modalising conditional
The conditionnel lets you put distance between yourself and a claim. Used to report unconfirmed facts (the conditionnel journalistique), it says you have heard something without vouching for it: Le taux de chômage aurait baissé. Used with verbs like pouvoir, devoir, sembler, it softens an opinion so it does not sound like a verdict: On pourrait avancer que... rather than On avance que....
Quelle phrase rapporte une information non vérifiée de façon appropriée ?
Which sentence reports unverified information appropriately?
Écoutez et écrivez la phrase que vous entendez.
Listen and type the sentence you hear.
Remettez les mots dans l'ordre pour former une concession suivie d'une réfutation.
Put the words in order to form a concession followed by a rebuttal.
In context
Traduisez en français en conservant la nuance.
Translate into French, keeping the hedge.
To a certain extent, these criticisms appear justified.
Complétez avec un conditionnel pour atténuer l'opinion.
Complete with a conditional to soften the opinion.
On ____ avancer que le débat dépasse la simple question du budget.
Quelle version est la plus nuancée et adaptée à l'examen ?
Which version is the most nuanced and exam-appropriate?
Listen
Traduisez en français en utilisant le subjonctif.
Translate into French using the subjunctive.
Supposing that this hypothesis is correct, the conclusion would change.
Remettez les mots dans l'ordre pour former une affirmation rapportée et modalisée.
Order the words to form a modalised reported claim.