Mood System of English - Modality
The expression of speaker or writer attitude about
degrees of likelihood, obligation, necessity,
permission, willingness and ability.
Modality is realized through sets of auxiliary verbs:
the full modals and the semi-modals, and also
through the use of certain adverbs such as possibly
and probably and verbs such as tends to, seems to
and appears to.
Full modal verbs
Can Could May Might Must
Shall Should Will Would
These verbs are not inflected to show third person in
the present tense. Some modals have a past form
(can/could, may/might, shall/should) but do not
take the aspect.
However, a modal may appear with a main verb that
carries aspect:
He may be going out later. (progressive)
He may have left already. (perfect)
Semi-modal or Periphrastic Modal Verbs
A set of non-auxiliary verbs can be classified
as follows…
With be
Be likely/unlikely to, be able/unable to, be
supposed to, be going to, be allowed to
With to
Need to/needn’t, have (got) to/don’t have to,
ought to, dare to, are to, want to, used to
Other
Would rather
Had better
Modal and semi-modal verbs in combination
Full modal and semi-modal verbs may appear in the
same sentence:
1. You might have to stay late tonight to complete
the project.
2. You will be able to get the money tomorrow.
Semi-modal verbs are not auxiliary verbs.
Modal meanings
deontic or root: interpersonal function relating to
the expression of permission, obligation, necessity,
advice
epistemic: logical function of expressing degrees
of likelihood or probability
dynamic: subjective function of expressing ability,
propensity and volition
The nature of deontic modality
From an ancient Greek word meaning ‘binding’.
We often find deontic modality in social
conversation, and in legal writing and rule books.
Permission 8. I must visit him—it’s been ages
1. Can I leave now? since I last saw him.
2. You may leave now. 9. You will come home every night
3. I asked if I could/might leave. before 10:00 pm. That’s an
order.
Offer
Advice
4. Shall I open the door for you?
10. You must see Ghost—it’s a
5. Can I help you carry that bag? great film.
Obligation 11. You should see a doctor about
6. The seller shall pay a deposit to that wound.
the purchaser.
7. Students should arrive
punctually for lessons.
The nature of epistemic modality
From an ancient Greek word for ‘knowledge’
Express a speaker’s view of the degree of likelihood
or probability of an event—between the extremes of
completely positive and completely negative
The nature of epistemic modality
Possibility
1. I’m not sure but Carrie may/might be in the library.
2. I’ll open the door so that you can escape.
Potentiality
3. Cats can be dangerous if provoked.
4. That wound could get infected if left untreated.
Logical deduction
5. You didn’t eat for 2 days! You must be starving.
6. He must have arrived home by now — it’s very late.
Prediction
7. You will meet a tall dark stranger next year.
8. The weather will remain cool for 2 more days.
The nature of epistemic modality
Fixed future events
9. She will be 62 next year.
10. CX254 will depart from Gate 33.
Condition
11. If I feel better, I’ll do my homework tonight.
12. If I felt better, I would do my homework.
Concession
13. He may be polite to you, but he’s rude to the rest of us.
Intention
14. In this essay, I will first describe …
dynamic modality
Expresses personal ability, willingness (volition),
past habit and tendency (propensity).
Dynamic modality is frequently found in
descriptions of people in stories and biographies.
The nature of dynamic modality
Ability
1. I can sing.
2. I could run for miles when I was young.
Volition
3. I won’t eat but I will have something to drink. (=
I am not willing to eat but I am willing to drink)
4. Will you please go to bed now—it’s very late.
Propensity
5. Mary will gossip all the time. (= Mary tends to
gossip all the time)
Root, epistemic or dynamic?
1. Can you handle the new software program?
2. You should try to get up early. The Principal has started to check on
your punctuality.
3. I must stop watching so much TV late at night. I’m getting really tired.
4. John really should take more exercise, and I think he would if he could,
but he can’t since breaking his leg!
5. John knew that his wife would be in England that day.
6. Jack’s wife can’t have much money. Her clothes are very cheap.
7. You could dance well in the old days.
8. It can be freezing in Beijing in winter.
9. You’re covered in blood - you must have had an accident.
10. You will stop arguing and go to bed now!
Same verb, different meanings (can)
1. I can speak Putonghua.
2. You can go home when you have finished your
work.
3. Analysing grammar can be interesting.
4. I can do that for you if you like.
Context-dependency: the multiple functions
of ‘Will’
Epistemic
They need money badly, so they will have made
the decision to sell last week. (logical deduction
based on evidence)
She’ll be 28 next week. (fixed future event)
If he’s still around, he’ll be in the meeting room.
(prediction in a conditional sequence)
Context-dependency: the multiple functions
of ‘Will’
Dynamic (volition: willingness)
Mary doesn’t want her marriage to end so she
won’t sign the divorce papers. (unwilling to sign)
They have found someone who’ll stand in for you
while you’re away. (willing to stand in)
Don’t worry. I’ll be back before midnight. (a
promise)
Context-dependency: the multiple functions
of ‘Will’
Dynamic (propensity: habit)
He will speak with his mouth full.
Boys will be boys.
Harry will talk on and on about his troubles if you
let him.
Context-dependency: the multiple functions
of ‘Will’
Deontic or root (obligation)
You will report back for duty on Friday evening.
Students will behave politely at all times.
Hirers will maintain the good condition of the
vehicle during the period of hire.
The logic of epistemic modality
context evidence deduction
1. Student to Hello, I don’t You must be new to
another student recognize you. the class.
2. Doctor to You’re a little You may not be
patient overweight. taking enough
exercise.
3. Employer
speaking to It’s only thirty He should be here
employee in the minutes to the office. by now.
company’s
office
The interpersonal nature of root modality
context interpersonal function
element
Father to son You must visit your Stating
mother - she’s really ill. obligation
Teacher to You may leave a little Giving
student early if you finish your permission
work.
Friend to Should I keep seeing him Seeking
friend or break it off? advice
Epistemic modality: what are the degrees of
likelihood?
1. Mike is definitely in the UK.
2. Mike may be in the UK.
3. There’s an even chance that Mike’s in the
UK.
4. Mike could be in the UK.
5. Mike’s definitely not in the UK.
6. Mike can’t be in the UK.
7. Mike must be in the UK.
8. Mike may well be in the UK.
Identify and interpret the modality
The vendor and purchaser should abide strictly by
this agreement. If for any reason not covered by
Clause 1 below the purchaser withdraws from the
transaction, the vendor shall insist that he pay all
costs associated with the drawing up of this contract.
Source: Green, C., Yang, H., & Li, E. (2009). Analyzing
and applying English Grammar. Hong Kong: Open
University of Hong Kong Press.
