Mood and modality Modality differs from tense and aspect in that it does not refer directly to any characteristic of the events, but simply to the status of the proposition.

Mood and modality
Modality differs from tense and aspect in that it
does not refer directly to any characteristic of
the events, but simply to the status of the
proposition.

Permissive (may)

Example:

John is at home.

John may/must be at home now.

John can solve this problem.

English uses a modal verbs to distinguish a
judgement about a proposition from a categorical
statement.

Deontic Modality
The most common types of Deontic modality are the
directives, where we try to get others to do
things.

Permissive (may)

Obligative (must)

MAY and MUST also express epistemic modality

Dynamic Modality
There appear to be two types of dynamic modality,
expressing ability and willingness.

Abilitive (can)

Volitive (will)

CAN is used both for epistemic modality (only
when negated) and for deontic modality.

Modal Verbs

Modals (English)

will, shall, may, can, must, would, should,
might could

Modal verbs are used in all four types of
modality

Ought (to), need (to), dare (to)

Deontic

Dynamic

Evidential

Epistemic