A Formal-Functional Analysis of the English Modal Auxiliaries

Modality refers to the speaker’s attitude towards the judgment of/ or assessment of what he says .The complexity and multi-use of the English modal auxiliaries comprise a serious challenge to FL users. This paper aimed at analyzing them formally and semantically with illustrative examples. A detailed semantic classification is suggested based on authentic linguistic research, viz., deontic, epistemic, and dynamic that cuts across the two major degrees of modality, necessity and possibility. The paper concludes with plotting detailed, by no means exhaustive, lists of the various semantic functions/ implications of these modals with illustrative examples. The ultimate goal is to enhance the FL users’ knowledge of the various intersecting uses of English modal verbs