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Questions and Answers
What type of modality do epistemic modals deal with?
What type of modality do epistemic modals deal with?
- Ability
- Possibility (correct)
- Permission
- Obligation
Which category of modal verbs focuses on obligation and permission?
Which category of modal verbs focuses on obligation and permission?
- Dynamic modals
- Conditional modals
- Epistemic modals
- Deontic modals (correct)
Which of the following is an example of a deontic modal?
Which of the following is an example of a deontic modal?
- Should (correct)
- Could
- Might
- Can
What type of modality is associated with dynamic modals?
What type of modality is associated with dynamic modals?
Which category of modal verbs deals with knowledge and belief?
Which category of modal verbs deals with knowledge and belief?
Which word indicates obligation in the sentence: 'He doesn't have to come today'?
Which word indicates obligation in the sentence: 'He doesn't have to come today'?
Match the modal verb with its meaning in conversational use:
Match the modal verb with its meaning in conversational use:
Match the modal verb phrase with its function in practice sentences:
Match the modal verb phrase with its function in practice sentences:
Match the modal verb phrase with its correct negative form:
Match the modal verb phrase with its correct negative form:
Match the modal verb with its role in conversational use:
Match the modal verb with its role in conversational use:
Match the modal verb phrase with its meaning in practice sentences:
Match the modal verb phrase with its meaning in practice sentences:
Match the following modal verb with its implication:
Match the following modal verb with its implication:
Match the following modal verb phrase with its usage:
Match the following modal verb phrase with its usage:
Match the negative form of the modal verb phrase with its implication:
Match the negative form of the modal verb phrase with its implication:
Match the following modal verb with its conversational use:
Match the following modal verb with its conversational use:
Match the modal verb phrase with its practice sentence implication:
Match the modal verb phrase with its practice sentence implication:
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Study Notes
Modal Verbs - Exploring Their Properties and Uses
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that indicate different types of modality, such as possibility, necessity, permission, ability, advice, etc., without expressing any action. These verbs function as helping verbs to form the moods of main verbs and to create different tenses and voices. In English grammar, there are three categories of modal verbs based on their properties: epistemic modals, deontic modals, and dynamic modals.
Epistemic Modals
Epistemic modals deal with knowledge, belief, certainty, doubt, etc. They answer questions like "What do you believe?" or "How sure are you?" This category includes verbs like can, could, may, might, must, should, would, shall, will and ought. For example:
I believe he can play the piano. What do you think she could have done?
Deontic Modals
Deontic modals focus on obligation, prohibition, permission, etc. They address questions like "What should you do?" or "What shouldn't you do?" Examples of deontic modals are have to, had better, happen to, be supposed to, ought to and need to. For instance:
He doesn't have to come today. She ought to finish her homework first.
Dynamic Modals
Dynamic modals involve ability, possibility, capacity, willingness, and permission. They respond to questions like "Can she lift this?" or "Is it possible to go?" Some examples of dynamic modals are can, could, may, might, must, should, would, shall, will, and dare. Here is a usage example:
If you can, please leave your computer at home tomorrow. It might rain tonight; we should bring an umbrella.
In summary, modal verbs play a crucial role in forming different tenses and moods by indicating various levels of modality and providing context to statements and questions. Understanding these categories - epistemic, deontic, and dynamic - will help you navigate the intricate world of modality more effectively in English grammar.
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