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2008•Journal of Sichuan International Studies UniversityRequires access

Semantic Difference of the English Modals

Lei Zhi-mi

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Abstract

The definition and description of modality,the operator of a sentence,has been one of the pervasive problems in linguistics.Based on Jennifer Coats's fuzzy set model,the author proposes that modal verbs can be properly lumped,i.e.divided into two types: epistemic modality and root modality.This study elaborates on the modals can,may,must and have to,and illustrate them with their negative and past forms,so as to present a systematic description of semantic differences of the modal verbs.

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What this paper is about

The definition and description of modality,the operator of a sentence,has been one of the pervasive problems in linguistics.Based on Jennifer Coats's fuzzy set model,the author proposes that modal verbs can be properly lumped,i.e.divided into two types: epistemic modality and root modality.This study elaborates on the modals can,may,must and have to,and illustrate them with their negative and past forms,so as to present a systematic description of semantic differences of the modal verbs.

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Available abstract

The definition and description of modality,the operator of a sentence,has been one of the pervasive problems in linguistics.Based on Jennifer Coats's fuzzy set model,the author proposes that modal verbs can be properly lumped,i.e.divided into two types: epistemic modality and root modality.This study elaborates on the modals can,may,must and have to,and illustrate them with their negative and past forms,so as to present a systematic description of semantic differences of the modal verbs.

Key concepts: Modal verb, Modality (human–computer interaction), Linguistics, Modal, Sentence, Modal operator, Epistemic modality, Set (abstract data type)

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