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Modality

This document discusses various lexico-grammatical means of expressing modality in language. It defines modality as the expression of possibility and necessity and how the meaning of sentences can be modulated. It then examines different parts of speech that can express modality, including verbs, adverbs, nouns, adjectives and conditionals. Specifically, it explores the use of modal auxiliaries, marginal modals, modal idioms, semi-auxiliaries, catenatives and main verbs combined with nonfinite clauses. The document also distinguishes between the intrinsic and extrinsic meanings that can be conveyed by modal verbs.

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Maria Dascalu
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430 views

Modality

This document discusses various lexico-grammatical means of expressing modality in language. It defines modality as the expression of possibility and necessity and how the meaning of sentences can be modulated. It then examines different parts of speech that can express modality, including verbs, adverbs, nouns, adjectives and conditionals. Specifically, it explores the use of modal auxiliaries, marginal modals, modal idioms, semi-auxiliaries, catenatives and main verbs combined with nonfinite clauses. The document also distinguishes between the intrinsic and extrinsic meanings that can be conveyed by modal verbs.

Uploaded by

Maria Dascalu
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lexico-grammatical means of expressing modality

1. What is modality? 2. Possibilities to express modality 3. Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic 4. References

1. What is modality?

Modality is a category of linguistic meaning that has to do with the expression of possibility and necessity. The meaning of a sentence gets modulated. What is true? - What has happened? What may be true? - What ought to be true?

2. Possibilities to express modality


2.1. Verbs and modality

2.2. Adverbs
2.3. Nouns

2.4. Adjectives
2.5. Conditionals

2.1. Verbs and modality


Verbs that can function as auxiliary verbs ('helping verbs') can often be used to to indicate a modal meaning. Modal auxiliaries are normally followed by the bare infinitive of the verb, they interact with. Example - You ought to comb your hair.

Exceptions: used, (usually) ought, etc.

2.1. Verbs and modality


Finite functions only: Modal auxiliaries can only occur as the first element of the verb phrase. They can only occur in nonfinite functions.

MODAL VERB PRIMARY VERB


*to may *(is) maying *(has) mayed to have (is) being (has) been

FULL VERB
to eat (is) eaten (has) eaten

2.1. Verbs and modality


No 3rd Person inflection: Modal auxiliaries are not inflected in the 3rd person singular of the present tense. They have no -s form

You must write He must write

BUT: BUT:

You like to write She likes to write

2.1. Verbs and modality


Abnormal time reference: present and past forms of the modal auxiliaries can be used to refer to present and future time. I think he may / might retire next May. Will / would you phone him tomorrow. See in Contrast: *I think he retired next May. *Did you phone him tomorrow?

Central modals are used to express modality.


Examples:

2.1. Verbs and modality

- Peter might be at home. - The bus should stop here. ( can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must )
NONNEGATIVE must UNCONTRACTED CONRACTED NEGATIVE NEGATIVE must not mustn't

2.1. Verbs and modality


Marginal modals are used to express modality. Examples: - He ought to be at home until dusk. - She dared to jump over the barrier. ( dare, need, ought to, used to )

Close to the central modals, but not all criteria are fullfilled.

2.1. Verbs and modality


Modal idioms can be used to express modality. Some modal idioms are for example: had better, would rather, have got to, be to. Followed by an infinitive. Sometimes preceded with to. Examples - I have got to take the train. - I would rather have a still water.

2.1. Verbs and modality


Modal idioms:

Have no nonfinite form. Therefore cannot follow other verbs in the verb phrase. *I will have got to leave soon. *The conference has been to take place in Athen.

2.1. Verbs and modality Modal idioms:


Contracted verb form followed by not in unacceptable for these two: *I'd not rather leave. *You'd not better resign. Would rather cannot show active-passive synonymy: I'd rather rent the cottage. *The cottage would rather be rent by me.

2.1. Verbs and modality


Semi-auxiliaries consist of a set of verb idioms which express modal meaning. They are introduced by one of the Primary verbs HAVE + BE. Examples: - Peter has to be at home. - The bus needs to stop here. No do support: *Ada doesn't be going to win. -> Ada isn't going to win. *Does Ada be going to win? -> Is Ada going to win?

2.1. Verbs and modality


Some semi-auxiliaries: be able to be supposed to be meant to be going to List is not complete! be bound to be about to be willing to be obliged to be likely to be due to be apt to have to

2.1. Verbs and modality


Catenatives have meanings related to aspect or modality, but are nearer to main verb constructions than semi-auxiliaries.

They have do-support similar to main verbs: Sam didn't appear to realize the importance of the problem
Examples - He seems to be busy. - The product appears to be as listed.

2.1. Verbs and modality


There are also main verbs, that can be used to express modality, when they are combined with a nonfinite clause. For example the main verb hope combined with to and an infinitive. Example - I hope to see you soon.

2.2. Adverbs
Some adverbs can express modality. They can be placed

- at the beginning of a sentence - in a VP Examples


- Maybe I forgot to close the window. - Jack will presumably go to the party.

2.2. Adverbs

Some modality adverbs: certainly, maybe, perhaps, possibly, actually, presumably, really, necessarily, hopefully

2.3. Nouns
There are nouns that can express modality. They are often followed by a that clause or to + infininitive.
Examples

- There is a slight possibility, that you get the next train. - The chance to win is not very good in a casino.

2.4. Adjectives
Adjectives can also express modality when they are combined with to + infinitive or a that clause. Examples - It is impossible to run 60 miles per hour. - It is essential that you drink enough liquid.

2.5. Conditionals

Conditionals can express modality. Examples - If the light is on, he is at home.

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic

The meaning of the modal verbs can differ, depending on how / where they are used. They can have intrinsic and extrinsic meanings. These two can also overlap. So the meaning can be somewhere inbetween.

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic


intrinsic can / could permission may/might possibility, ability extrinsic

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic


intrinsic
must / need have (got) to obligation should / ought to necessity

extrinsic

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic


intrinsic
will / would volition shall (rare and restricted) prediction

extrinsic

4. References

- Quirk et al. (1995): A comprehensive grammar of the English language. Longman, London. - http://mit.edu/fintel/www/modality.pdf

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