The Difference Between Modal Verbs in Deontic and Epistemic Modality

Authors

  • Menik Winiharti Bina Nusantara University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21512/humaniora.v3i2.3396

Keywords:

modal verb, deontic modality, epistemic modality

Abstract

Modality is always interesting to discuss. Understanding it is crucial for both language teachers and learners. This essay discusses the concept of modality, its types and uses. It has a goal to find the difference between deontic and epistemic modality that is indicated by their modal verbs. It also provides the readers a better understanding of modality, particularly of its types and uses. The result of the analysis shows that in general, deontic modality indicates obligation and permission, while epistemic modality expresses possibility and prediction. However, the difference between deontic and epistemic modality is not a clear cut, since one single modal verb can express both types, and one single proposition can be expressed by more than one modal verb.  
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References

Celce-Muria, M. and Diane Larsen-Freeman. (1999). The Grammar Book: An ESL/EFL Teacher’s Course. 2nd edn. Los Angeles: Heinle & Heinle Publishers.

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Greenbaum, S. (1996). The Oxford English Grammar. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Hornby, A.S. (2005). Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. 7th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Kreidler, C. W. (1998). Introducing English Semantics. London: Routledge.

Richards, J.C. and Richard Schmidt. (2002). Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics. 3rd ed. London: Pearson Education Limited.

Saeed, J. L. (2003). Semantics. 2nd ed. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.

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Published

2012-10-31

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