The Place of Modal Verbs in the Grammar of English with Special Emphasis on "can", "may", and "must"

The Place of Modal Verbs in the Grammar of English with Special Emphasis on Author: Arthur Leonidas Palacas
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 170

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The Place of Modal Verbs in the Grammar of English with Special Emphasis on "can", "may", and "must"

The Place of Modal Verbs in the Grammar of English with Special Emphasis on Author: Arthur Leonidas Palacas
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 170

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The modal verbs can and may in English and Spanish

The modal verbs can and may in English and Spanish PDF Author: Andra Stefanescu
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 3638054691
Category : Literary Collections
Languages : en
Pages : 89

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Book Description
Diploma Thesis from the year 2007 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1, University of Bucharest (Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures), language: English, abstract: Modality is a semantic concept that covers notions such as possibility, probability, permission, ability, volition, necessity and obligation. The class of modals is in many languages both syntactically and semantically highly irregular and unpredictable: modals frequently have idiosyncratic conjugational patterns and are subject to highly specialized syntactic rules. One of the main characteristic of modal verbs is their relatively imprecise and indeterminate meaning, their ambiguity: the same modal can be deontic (i.e. based on rules and regulations), but it may also involve processes, sets of knowledge or belief systems, and thus get an epistemic interpretation. In order to define the class of modals or to provide a set of environments in which a modal may be correctly or appropriately used, one must refer to many levels of language: the purely syntactic environment, as well as the logical structure, the context of the utterance, the assumptions that are shared by the speaker and the addressee, the social situation assumed by the participants in the discourse, the impression the speaker wants to make on the addressee, and so on. There is also the question of the appropriate context environments, that is, the semantic-pragmatic issue. Therefore, a complete analysis of a particular modal can only be achieved by looking both at its syntactic features and at its semantic structure; in other words, the syntax of a modal verb is based on its semantics, and these two dimensions are inseparable.

English Modal Auxiliary Verbs: May, Might, Can, Could, Will, Would, Shall, Should, Must, Need, Used To

English Modal Auxiliary Verbs: May, Might, Can, Could, Will, Would, Shall, Should, Must, Need, Used To PDF Author: Manik Joshi
Publisher: Manik Joshi
ISBN:
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 106

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Modal Auxiliary Verb (or ‘Modal Verb’ or ‘Modal Auxiliary’) is a verb that is used with another verb (not a modal verb) to express ability, intention, necessity, obligation, permission, possibility, probability, etc. English modal auxiliary verbs - may, might, can, could, will, would, shall, should, must, need, used(to), ought(to), dare | different patterns and examples | may and might are used to express- possibility, compulsion, obligation, probability (in the present and future) | can, could are used to express- ability, probability, possibility, suggestion, request, condition | will, would are used to express- action in future, present habit, compulsion, obligation | shall, should are used to express- action in future, suggestion, surprise, importance or purpose | need is used to express necessity | used(to) is used to express- past habit | ought(to) is used to express- probability, recommendation, obligation, advise | dare is used to express– be brave enough to Sample This: Modal Auxiliary Verb -- May and Might Uses of ‘May’ and ‘Might’ (1). Possibility/Probability It may rain the day after tomorrow. [= Perhaps it will rain the day after tomorrow. OR It is possible that it will rain the day after tomorrow.] He may have caught the train. [= Perhaps he caught the train. OR It is possible that he caught the train.] (2). To say what the purpose of something is Many people flatter that they may win favor. [= Many people flatter in order to win favor.] They ran so that they might arrive in time. [= They ran in order to arrive in time.] (3). To admit that something is true before introducing another point, argument, etc. It may not be wise, but using force may be lawful. [= Although it is not wise, using force may be lawful.] (4). To express wishes and hopes May you live a prosperous life! May you have a good time! My teacher blessed me that I might succeed in my exams. (5). To give or refuse Permission [In Informal and Polite Way] You may not withdraw money from your bank account. [= You are not allowed to withdraw money from your bank account.] (6). To seek Permission [In Informal and Polite Way] May I borrow your book for two days? (Yes, you may.) May I come in? (No, you may not.) Difference between ‘May’ and ‘Might’ ‘Might’ is the past equivalent of ‘may’ in indirect speech. ‘Might’ is very polite and formal. It is not common. It is mostly used in indirect questions. I wonder if I might work on your computer. But it is used in the same way as ‘may’ to talk about the present or future. ‘Might’ is used as a less positive version of ‘May’ ‘May’ denotes more possibility/probability ‘Might’ denotes less possibility/probability May I use your mobile phone? Might I use your mobile phone? (= A diffident way of saying ‘May I use your mobile phone?’) ‘Might’ also denotes ‘would perhaps’ You might attract the President’s attention later. [= Perhaps you would attract.] He might have to go [= Perhaps he had to go.] ‘Might’ is also used to express a degree of dissatisfaction or reproach; as, You might pick up an argument with him! You might have picked up an argument with him! ‘Might’ has limitations while ‘asking permission’ Note: Avoid using ‘might’ to seek or give permission. [Prefer to use ‘may’] | Avoid using ‘might not’ to refuse permission. [Prefer to use ‘may not’]. Using ‘might’ to seek or give permission is very formal and is not used very often. Might I ask for your address? Might I offer you something to eat? [Exception: You can use ‘might’ to give permission or ‘might not’ to refuse permission in “indirect speech”] He asked me whether he might stay in my house. Note: ‘Maybe’ is an adverb. [‘Maybe’ means ‘perhaps’] -- Maybe he came to know something secret and was removed from the post. ALSO NOTE: Difference between ‘May’ and ‘Can’ ‘May’ is more formal than ‘Can’ ‘May’ is mostly used in ‘formal’ English. ‘Can’ is mostly used in ‘informal’ (or spoken) English ‘Can’ is used to show ability/capability/capacity, while ‘may’ is never used in this sense.

Modality and the English Modals

Modality and the English Modals PDF Author: F.R. Palmer
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 131790091X
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 229

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Book Description
A detailed account of the many uses and functions of these verbs. The nature of modality, and some controversial issues, are also discussed.

A Grammatical Study of Modal

A Grammatical Study of Modal PDF Author: Mary Ocholi
Publisher: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing
ISBN: 9783845439020
Category :
Languages : de
Pages : 52

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Book Description
The modal auxiliary verbs of English Language convey special meanings that form an important aspect of human communication. They are: may, must, will, shall, need, dare, might, could, would, should and ought to and are verb inflections that show how an action is conceived by the speaker; this is known as modality in Language.F.R. Palmers (1986) model of categorization and description of modality was adopted for analysis in the book due to its explicit manner of presentation. The exploratory analysis of modality on Christian stickers and posters provides new insights on how modal verbs occur and the range of meanings that can be realized from the modal system. In addition, the book proves to be useful to foreign language learners of English as it guides on ways to set about achieving meaning. Coupled with the multiplicity of easy to understand everyday relatable examples used from stickers and posters, learners are exposed to the full array of meanings that modal auxiliary verbs have, by so doing, learners' competences are further developed. The book is a repository of resources that learners of English language can utilize to achieve accurate and effective communication.

A Bibliography of American Doctoral Dissertations in Linguistics, 1968-1974

A Bibliography of American Doctoral Dissertations in Linguistics, 1968-1974 PDF Author: Nancy Jokovich
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Dissertations, Academic
Languages : en
Pages : 166

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A HANDBOOK OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY

A HANDBOOK OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY PDF Author: SANDIP KUMAR DAS
Publisher: Blue Rose Publishers
ISBN:
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 352

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Book Description
Handbook of English Grammar and Vocabulary is on English grammar and vocabulary. In language learning the role of grammar and vocabulary is very important. To learn language properly knowledge of grammar and vocabulary is essential.  This book is intended for learners of language(ESL) especially Indian school students and aspirants of various competitive and entrance examinations.  It is a complete book for basic as well as advanced stage of language learning.  This book is a compilation of classical and modern grammar rules and usage.  It is a complete comprehensive guide on English grammar and vocabulary to facilitate learners to acquire language skills effectively.  The book is designed to meet the need of the learners.  The author has highlighted the structural and functional aspects of grammar.  A large number of vocabulary have been selected carefully to give the learners a comprehensive knowledge of the variety and spice of English Vocabulary.  Solved and practice exercises have been provided to enhance the scope of learning.

Doing English Grammar

Doing English Grammar PDF Author: Roger Berry
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108349501
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 253

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Book Description
Grammar is integral to teaching English as a second language, and yet there is often a disconnect between theory and practice. This book bridges that gap by introducing key theories of English grammar and showing how they can be applied in teaching. By drawing on an eclectic range of sources, and using a multidisciplinary approach, Berry links advances in our knowledge of grammar, from theoretical and descriptive viewpoints, with developments in pedagogical practices, to provide a comprehensive overview of the whole process of grammar. The second part of the book contains four case studies of key areas of English grammar in which the insights of the earlier chapters are applied, illustrating how grammar theory is used in practice. Offering new insights into the way English grammar works, this book is invaluable for all professionals who 'do' English grammar: teachers, grammarians, textbook writers and syllabus designers, testers and researchers.

A Comprehensive Reference Dictionary of Linguistics, A-D

A Comprehensive Reference Dictionary of Linguistics, A-D PDF Author: Huseynaga Rzayev
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1532669844
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 603

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Book Description
This exhaustive linguistic dictionary has been designed both for classroom use and for English language professionals. It provides a unique and effective learning source which ‘mirrors’ the continual spring of linguistic knowledge. It suggests a comprehensive, insightful analysis of the highly controversial and complicated issues of present day linguistics. This dictionary provides a pedagogical tool for those teaching various aspects of language to both upper lever undergraduates and graduate level researchers, and exploits the benefits of Turkish, Azerbaijani and Russian language scholarship in this field.

Task-based grammar teaching of English

Task-based grammar teaching of English PDF Author: Susanne Niemeier
Publisher: Narr Francke Attempto Verlag
ISBN: 3823391305
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 267

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Book Description
The focus on communication in TBLT often comes at the expense of form. In this book, the task-based approach is enhanced and coupled with insights into (cognitive) grammar, an approach which sees grammar as meaningful. The book shows how grammar teaching can be integrated into a communicative lesson in a non-explicit way, i.e., "by the backdoor". The learners are involved in situations that they may also encounter outside their classrooms and they are given communicative tasks they are to work on and solve, usually with a partner or in small groups. What teachers need to invest for preparing such lessons is their own creativity, as they have to come up with communicative situations which guide the learners into using a specific grammatical structure. The book first discusses the didactic and the linguistic theories involved and then translates these theoretical perspectives into actual teaching practice, focusing on the following grammatical phenomena: tense, aspect, modality, conditionals, passive voice, prepositions, phrasal verbs, verb complementation, pronouns and articles.