.What is modality?
Modality is a category of linguistic meaning that has to do with the expression of possibility, advice, ability and necessity.
What does modality in these sentences express?
Alexis must finish his research paper by April 28.
Hyo should quit his job at the Korean restaurant.
Samuel can play piano very well.
Khun Lad may continue to be a buddhist monk for another year.
Franco will leave for Columbia on May 5.
The meaning of a sentence gets modulated.What is true? - What has happened? What may be true? - What ought to be true?
Please feel how the meaning of this sentence is modulated!
Budi met his girl friend this afternoon.
Budi might meet his girl friend this afternoon.
What are the operators?
Modal auxiliary verbs: must, should, can, could, may, might, had better, would rather, ought to, shall.
Some semi-modal verbs:
be able to - be bound to - be likely to
be supposed to - be about to - be due to
be meant to - be willing to - be apt to
be going to - be obliged to - have to
Modality is expressed through several possibilities
Verbs and modality
Adverbs
Nouns
Adjectives
Conditionals
Examples of modality expression in verbs
I think he may / might retire next May.
Will / would you phone him tomorrow?
The boy must meet his girlfriend.
Peter might be at home.
The bus should stop here.
I'd rather rent the cottage.
Modality expression as 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.
Some modality adverbs:
certainly, maybe, perhaps, possibly, actually, presumably, really, necessarily, hopefully
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.
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.
Conditionals
Conditionals can express modality.
Examples
If the light is on, he is at home.
Read the rules for being happy. Change each command verb sentence into modal verb sentence. Vary the modal verbs that you use. You may add words to sentences, but do not change the basic meaning. The first is done for you.
Five simple rules for Being Happy
Free your heart from hatred.
You must free your heart from hatred.
- Free your mind from worries.
- Live simply.
- Give more.
- Expect less.
Please create an essay choose one out of three topics from below, do not forget to show expression of modality in your sentences.Individual assignment
Building good relationship; a process that one should take to keep a good realtion to a wife /husband, girlfriend/boyfriend, parents/child.
In case of accident; a process or tips that you can suggest to make a self secure procedure in case of natural disaster, fire, road accident.
Academic process; a process of academic that you always do every semester: re-registering, testing process, student card making process.
The boy would have met his girl friend if he did not get the accident.The boy would rather meet his girl friend than his best friend.The boy was supposed to meet his girl friend. In fact, he chose to stay at home.
The boy needs to meet his girl friend. He needs to discuss an important thing.
As adverbs
Please create one sentence. Then develop the sentence using many modal operators. Write also if there is some consequence taken after applying the modal on to the sentence
For example:
Lisa wore her best attire to attend the inauguration party.
Lisa should have wear her best attire to attend the inauguration party because she would meet a lot of cute boys.
Lisa was supposed to wear her best attire to attend the inauguration party. It was a formal party and everyone would want to show his best look.
