Modality in English: Theory and Description

Modality in English: Theory and Description (Topics in English Linguistics)
by Raphael Salkie, Pierre Busuttil, Johan van der Auwera
Hardcover: 384 pages
Published: June 15, 2009
ISBN-10: 3110196344
ISBN-13: 978-3110196344

This volume presents strongly empirical, corpus-based studies of a range of English modal auxiliaries and modal constructions in specific uses. It also approaches some of the classic issues in the field of modality from new perspectives, notably that of the "Theory of Enunciative Operations" developed by the French linguist Antoine Culioli and his colleagues.

There are at least three general themes. One is the definition of the concept of modality, its relation to other concepts, and the general strategies to approach modal notions. The second theme is the study of the English modals. The third is the analysis of modal constructions other than auxiliaries.