Adverbs of Possibility - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

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KS2 · Grammar

Y5.3 Adverbs of Possibility

Calculators not allowed · about 40 minutes
Total Marks
Name: _______________________________    Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

The Sports Day Forecast

Source written for Revision Library (original, copyright-free). Written specifically for this grammar worksheet pack; not derived from or based on any published work, past paper or copyrighted text.

Mrs Adeyemi checked the weather app on the classroom screen and frowned. 'It will probably rain during first break,' she said, 'but the forecast might change by lunchtime.' Zara was certain the sun would come out in time for the relay race; she had definitely seen a patch of blue sky earlier that morning. Tom was less hopeful. 'We could possibly get soaked before the egg-and-spoon race even starts,' he muttered, tightening the laces on his trainers. At registration, the head teacher announced that Sports Day would perhaps be moved indoors if the rain continued, though nobody wanted that to happen. By ten o'clock the clouds had thinned, and Mrs Adeyemi admitted that the afternoon events would maybe go ahead as planned after all. Zara's team, the Red Kites, had trained every lunchtime that week, so they were surely in with a strong chance of winning the relay. As the children lined up for the first race, the sky cleared completely, and the sun shone for the rest of the day.

1
An adverb of possibility tells us how likely something is. Tick the adverb of possibility in each sentence.
(a)It will probably rain this afternoon.(1)
  • A) probably
  • B) rain
  • C) afternoon
(b)Perhaps the bus will be late today.(1)
  • A) Perhaps
  • B) bus
  • C) late
(c)She has definitely tidied her room.(1)
  • A) definitely
  • B) tidied
  • C) room
(d)The parcel will certainly arrive by Friday.(1)
  • A) parcel
  • B) certainly
  • C) arrive
2
Underline the adverb of possibility in each sentence.
(a)Maybe we should take an umbrella to school.(1)
(b)The team will possibly reach the final this year.(1)
(c)He is probably the fastest runner in our class.(1)
3
Circle the verb that each adverb of possibility is describing.
(a)The library probably closes at five o'clock.(1)
  • A) closes
  • B) five
(b)Perhaps the letter arrived this morning.(1)
  • A) arrived
  • B) morning
(c)The kitten certainly enjoys the new toy.(1)
  • A) enjoys
  • B) toy
4
Sort the words in the box into the correct column of the table below. Three words are adverbs of possibility and three are adverbs of manner.
Word bank: perhaps | brightly | possibly | fiercely | probably | quietly
Adverb of possibilityAdverb of manner
(6)
5
Some words that end in -ly are adjectives, not adverbs of possibility. Tick the two adjectives in the list below.
  • A) possibly
  • B) friendly
  • C) certainly
  • D) lonely
  • E) probably
6
The adverbs below can be sorted by how certain they make something sound. Sort them into the table: those that show something is very likely or certain, and those that show something is only possible, not certain.
Word bank: definitely | certainly | probably | perhaps | maybe | possibly
Shows something is very likely or certainShows something is only possible, not certain
(6)
7
Rewrite each sentence, adding the adverb of possibility given in brackets in the correct position.
(a)It will rain tomorrow. (probably)(1)
(b)She is the best swimmer in the school. (definitely)(1)
(c)The concert starts at seven o'clock. (certainly)(1)
(d)We will be late for the bus. (possibly)(1)
(e)He forgot his PE kit again. (probably)(1)
(f)They are on their way home. (surely)(1)
8
Choose the best adverb from the box to complete each sentence. Use each word once.
Word bank: undoubtedly | conceivably | presumably | apparently
(a)The parcel has not arrived yet; ___ it was delayed by the bad weather.(1)
(b)Our team trained every single day, so we will ___ win the shield this year.(1)
(c)It is ___ possible to finish the crossword before the bell, though it will not be easy.(1)
(d)___, Tom had already eaten his lunch before the whistle blew, because his lunchbox was empty.(1)
9
Complete each sentence with your own suitable adverb of possibility.
(a)It will ___ snow before Christmas this year.(1)
(b)The old shop ___ closes early on Sundays.(1)
(c)My sister ___ forgot to lock the back door.(1)
10
Choose a fronted adverbial of possibility from the box to begin each sentence below. Remember to add a comma after the adverbial.
Word bank: Perhaps, | Surely, | Without doubt,
(a)___ the rain will stop before lunchtime.(1)
(b)___ she has already left for school, because her coat is gone from the hook.(1)
11
Tick the sentence in each pair that places the adverb of possibility correctly.
(a)Which sentence is correct?(1)
  • A) She probably is right about the time.
  • B) She is probably right about the time.
(b)Which sentence is correct?(1)
  • A) The plane will land probably on time.
  • B) The plane will probably land on time.
(c)Which sentence is correct?(1)
  • A) We could possibly visit the museum on Saturday.
  • B) We possibly could visit the museum on Saturday.
12
Each sentence below has an adverb of possibility in the wrong position. Rewrite the sentence with the adverb moved to the correct place.
(a)The train arrives probably late on Fridays.(1)
(b)Our neighbours are moving house possibly next month.(1)
(c)The shop will open certainly earlier during the holidays.(1)
13
The paragraph below is about the Sports Day morning described at the top of this pack. It contains three adverbs of possibility that have been placed in the wrong position. Find and correct the three errors.

On the morning of Sports Day, Mrs Adeyemi said the rain would stop probably before break. Zara believed the Red Kites would win certainly the relay race. Tom thought the ground would stay possibly too wet for the long jump.
(3)
14
Look again at the passage 'The Sports Day Forecast' at the top of this pack. Find and write down three more adverbs of possibility from the passage. Do not use probably or possibly - these already appeared in Question 13.
(3)
15
Write three sentences of your own about your weekend plans. Each sentence must include a different adverb of possibility, and each sentence must use a different verb.
(3)
16
Think about two situations: one where you feel completely sure something good will happen, and one where you are far less sure.
(a)Write two sentences about the two situations. In your first sentence, use an adverb of possibility that shows you are completely sure. In your second sentence, use a different adverb of possibility that shows you are far less sure.(2)
(b)Explain how your choice of adverbs changes the reader's impression of each situation.(1)
17
In the passage, the writer describes Zara's team as surely in with a strong chance of winning the relay, rather than perhaps or possibly. Explain the effect of this word choice on the reader.
(2)
Mark scheme · Y5.3 Adverbs of Possibility

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Question 17