The subjunctive vs. modal auxiliaries
-
Namiko Kikusawa
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to provide a detailed analysis of lest-clauses in Late Middle English (LME) prose texts, using a corpus-based approach. In lest-clauses, there are two options for the verb forms: the subjunctive or modal auxiliaries (e.g. He wrote the telephone number down lest he forget/should forget it). This paper focuses on the distribution of the subjunctive and modal auxiliaries and discusses the factors that affect their distributional tendencies: type of clauses (adverbial/complement), genre of texts (religious, fiction, letters, etc.) and the difference between written and spoken materials.
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to provide a detailed analysis of lest-clauses in Late Middle English (LME) prose texts, using a corpus-based approach. In lest-clauses, there are two options for the verb forms: the subjunctive or modal auxiliaries (e.g. He wrote the telephone number down lest he forget/should forget it). This paper focuses on the distribution of the subjunctive and modal auxiliaries and discusses the factors that affect their distributional tendencies: type of clauses (adverbial/complement), genre of texts (religious, fiction, letters, etc.) and the difference between written and spoken materials.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of abbreviations vii
- Introduction 1
-
Corpus linguistics today and tomorrow
- Can’t see the wood for the trees? 13
- Spelling variation in Middle English manuscripts 31
-
Aspects of language change
- The development of compound numerals in English Biblical translations 49
- The complements of causative make in Late Middle English 59
- The pragmaticalization and intensification of verily , truly and really 75
- Concept-driven semasiology and onomasiology of CLERGY 93
- ANGER and TĒNE in Middle English 109
-
Middle and Modern English case studies
- The subjunctive vs. modal auxiliaries 127
- Some notes on the distribution of the quantifier all in Middle English 141
- Interjections in Middle English 157
- Why and what in Early Modern English drama 177
- Colloquialization and not -contraction in nineteenth-century English 191
-
Wright’s English Dialect Dictionary and thereafter
- The complexity and diversity of the words in Wright’s English Dialect Dictionary 209
- Etymology in the English Dialect Dictionary 225
- Towards an understanding of Joseph Wright’s sources 241
- The importance of being Janus 257
- ... ging uns der ganze alte Dialektbegriff in eine Illusion auf 269
- Index 285
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of abbreviations vii
- Introduction 1
-
Corpus linguistics today and tomorrow
- Can’t see the wood for the trees? 13
- Spelling variation in Middle English manuscripts 31
-
Aspects of language change
- The development of compound numerals in English Biblical translations 49
- The complements of causative make in Late Middle English 59
- The pragmaticalization and intensification of verily , truly and really 75
- Concept-driven semasiology and onomasiology of CLERGY 93
- ANGER and TĒNE in Middle English 109
-
Middle and Modern English case studies
- The subjunctive vs. modal auxiliaries 127
- Some notes on the distribution of the quantifier all in Middle English 141
- Interjections in Middle English 157
- Why and what in Early Modern English drama 177
- Colloquialization and not -contraction in nineteenth-century English 191
-
Wright’s English Dialect Dictionary and thereafter
- The complexity and diversity of the words in Wright’s English Dialect Dictionary 209
- Etymology in the English Dialect Dictionary 225
- Towards an understanding of Joseph Wright’s sources 241
- The importance of being Janus 257
- ... ging uns der ganze alte Dialektbegriff in eine Illusion auf 269
- Index 285
