This paper deals with the task of modality, especially the modal verb must. The roots of modality can be found in the classical Greek philosophy. Modality “derived from the fact that human beings often categorize their attitudes and experience in terms of the way things might or must be, or might have been or must have been.” (Hoye, Leo (1997): Adverbs and modality in English. Harlow: Longman) So modal verbs are fundamental in everyday life, they are used in every conversation. With modals one can construct a possible world that differs from the actual world a lot.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Modal verbs in general
2.1. Types of verbs
2.2. Syntax
2.3. Semantics
2.4. Characteristics of epistemic and deontic modality
2.4.1. Subjectivity and non-factuality
2.4.2. Proposition and event
2.4.3. Possibility and necessity
3. Must as a modal verb
3.1. Form
3.2. Temporal meaning
3.3. Contexts
3.4. Modal meaning
3.4.1. Obligation
3.4.2. Necessity
4. Data Analysis
4.1. Necessity
4.2. Obligation
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper explores the linguistic category of modality, focusing specifically on the usage and semantic functions of the modal verb "must" within the English language.
- Classification and syntactic properties of modal verbs
- Distinction between epistemic and deontic modality
- Temporal orientations and contextual usage of "must"
- Analysis of "must" in relation to logical necessity and obligation
Excerpt from the Book
3.4.1. Obligation
“Must can be used to give strong advice or orders, to oneself or other people”.7 So the speaker is in an authorative position, because he is the one to lay the obligation. With a first person subject one lays an obligation upon himself. It shows his sense of duty or his self discipline. Geoffrey N. Leech calls this phenomenon “Self Compulsion”8.
I really must stop working so much.
I must call my parents tonight.
Have to is used in cases in which not the speaker has the authority but the obligation comes from the outside like in regulations. Must is not often used in these cases.
I have to work from 9.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter defines modality and introduces the modal verb "must" as a fundamental tool for constructing possible worlds in communication.
2. Modal verbs in general: This chapter categorizes verbs into factive and non-factive, outlines the syntactic constraints of modal verbs, and differentiates between epistemic, deontic, and dynamic modality.
3. Must as a modal verb: This section provides a detailed analysis of "must," covering its formal constraints, temporal orientation, frequency of use in different contexts, and its dual role in expressing obligation and logical necessity.
4. Data Analysis: This chapter applies theoretical concepts to ten selected examples, evaluating each instance to determine whether it functions as logical necessity or social obligation.
5. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes findings, noting that logical necessity appears more frequently than obligation in the analyzed data and highlighting the role of "have to" as a deontic alternative.
Keywords
modality, modal verb, must, epistemic modality, deontic modality, syntax, semantics, obligation, logical necessity, subjectivity, proposition, non-factuality, dynamic modality, data analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines the grammatical and semantic characteristics of the modal verb "must" in English, exploring its functions in everyday language.
What are the key thematic areas?
The work covers syntactic definitions, the distinction between epistemic and deontic modalities, temporal meanings, and the pragmatic application of "must" in real-world contexts.
What is the central research objective?
The objective is to analyze how "must" is used to express either obligation or necessity and to determine how these functions are differentiated in practice.
Which methodology is employed?
The author uses a qualitative analysis approach, examining ten specific examples sourced from a corpus (Word Smith) to categorize the usage of "must."
What is covered in the main body?
The main body details the formal properties, historical and theoretical background of modality, and a practical data analysis of how "must" behaves in various sentences.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include modality, epistemic/deontic modality, obligation, logical necessity, and syntactic constraints.
How does the author distinguish between "must" and "have to"?
The author argues that "must" often implies an authoritative or self-imposed obligation, whereas "have to" is frequently used for obligations arising from external regulations or requirements.
What role does the "perfect infinitive" play?
The text notes that when "must" is used with the perfect infinitive, it is specifically employed to make deductions about past events.
How is "subjectivity" defined in this context?
Subjectivity is described as a key feature of epistemic modality, where the speaker conveys judgments based on their personal belief system rather than direct, objective experience.
- Quote paper
- Diana Wellige (Author), 2005, The modal verb MUST, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/40716
