Modals and modality

What is modality in the context of our discussion?

• Factual representation of situations

• Representation of possibilities, necessities, and hypotheticals

• Verb tenses

• Linguistic debates among scholars

Which of the following is NOT a central modal auxiliary?

• • Can

• • Need

• • Shall

• • Must

What does the sentence "She may be in her room" express?

• Certainty

• Past event

• Present possibility

• Future obligation

Why is the use of the perfect marker "have" necessary in sentences expressing anteriority?

• It adds emphasis to the modal verb

• It signifies a present event

• It indicates a past event in relation to the modal possibility

• It introduces a conditional clause

What is the main purpose of modal auxiliaries like "may" and "could" in sentences?

• To provide details about past events

• To convey uncertainty, possibility, or necessity

• To create complex sentence structures

• To express commands and suggestions

Which sentence demonstrates the subjunctive mood indicating a non-factual situation?

• "She may have finished her book."

• "If he had listened to me, he would understand."

• "What would you do if you saw someone stealing something from a shop?"

• "The president decreed that no more soldiers be sent to the front."

In the sentence "You mustn’t forget to bring her a present," what does "mustn't" convey?

• Necessity

• Possibility

• Past event

• Uncertainty

Which sentence illustrates a counterfactual situation using a modal past perfect structure?

• • "He may go to the concert."

  
  

• "I wish you were more respectful of other people’s opinions."

• "If I had known, I may have come earlier."

• "She might visit us next week."

What does the sentence "He may not be at home. Then again, he may. I really don’t know" express?

• Certainty

• • Anteriority

• Refusal

• 14. Possibility and uncertainty
      

Which pair demonstrates the separation of modal meaning (M) and proposition (P) in a paraphrased sentence?

• "You can get coffee from the machine downstairs" and "It is possible for you to get coffee from the machine downstairs."

• "She may be in her room" and "It is possible that she is in her room."

• "He might help us" and "It is possible that he helps us."

• "I must finish my homework" and "It is necessary for me to finish my homework."