MODAL

VERBS

MODAL VERBS

Modal verbs are common auxiliary verbs in Germanic languages including English that indicate modality. Modality is the grammaticalized expression of the subjective attitudes and opinions of the speaker including possibility, probability, necessity, obligation, permissibility, ability, desire, and contingency.

MODAL VERBS

• Differ from other auxiliary/lexical verbs:

Lack of Tense

Lack of subject/verb agreement

MODALS/PERIPHRASTIC MODALS

Multi word forms ending in TO, which function semantically like true modals.

can – be able towill – be going to, be about tomust – have to, have got toshould – ought to, be to, be supposed tomay – be allowed to

Meaning of Modals

• large charts summarizing the form and meaning of modals;

• fragmented as they learned/taught meaning by meaning and form by form;

• semantic system; e.g. You may leave the room. (social

interactional) It may rain tomorrow. (logical probability)

Social interactional function of Modals

Modal verbs with this function require that a person using them properly take into account the characteristics of the social situation.

Social interactional function of Modals

We can infer: first example: You may leave the room. the speaker is sufficient authority to be able

to grant permission to the listener. Formal context – the speaker chose to use

may rather than can. Knowing the social situation allowed the

speaker to select appropriate modal.

Social interactional function of Modals

Second example: It may rain tomorrow. knowing the social situation would have little

or no effect on the modal selected. The speaker intention is to convey the

relatively low probability of precipitation. The speaker would use may regardless of

whom the listener was or where the interaction took place.

Social Interactional uses of Modals

1. Requests:

WillWould you help me with the grammar point?CanCould

Social Interactional uses of Modals

2. Specific requests for permission:

MayMight I leave the room?CanCould

Social Interactional uses of Modals

3. Advice might You could should see a doctor had better must

Speaker’s authority and/or conviction, or urgency of the message increases.

Social Interactional uses of Modals

4. Suggestions:e.g. We can/could go to a concert tonight.

Why don’t we ….? How about ….? What about ….? Let’s ….

Logical probability uses of Modals

The logical use of some of

the same modals typically deals with an inference or prediction.

Logical probability uses of Modals

• e.g. Maria: Someone’s at the door. Rachel: That may be Barbara. We can establish a hierarchy for the logical

use. What increases is the degree of certainty

regarding our inference.

Logical probability uses of Modals

Maria: Someone’s at the door. 1. That could/might be Barbara. Degree2. That may be Barbara.3. That should be Barbara. of4. That must be Barbara.5. That will be Barbara. certainty

Paraphrasing with Adjectives and Adverbs

Could, might – possibly, possibleMay – perhaps, quite possible(ly)Should – probably, probableWill – certainly, certain

Paraphrasing with Adjectives and Adverbs

Degrees of Probability could, might It may rain tomorrow. should will

Paraphrasing with Adjectives and Adverbs

possible It is quite possible that it will rain probable tomorrow. certain

Other uses of Modals

1. Ability – can, be able toe.g. I can speak English. Superman is able to see through walls.2. Desire – would like toe.g. Sarah would like to travel around the world.3. Offer – would, will, shall, can, coulde.g. Would you like anything to drink?4. Preference – would rather, would prefer toe.g. Brad would rather study languages than math.