14. Modality
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Valentine Hacquard
Abstract
Modality is the category of meaning used to talk about possibilities and necessities, essentially, states of affairs beyond the actual. This article reviews the approach to modals inherited from modal logic, in terms of quantification over possible worlds, with particular attention to the seminal work of Angelika Kratzer. In addition, it introduces more recent work on the interaction of modals with other elements, in particular with tense and subjects, which challenges classical approaches, and presents new directions.
Abstract
Modality is the category of meaning used to talk about possibilities and necessities, essentially, states of affairs beyond the actual. This article reviews the approach to modals inherited from modal logic, in terms of quantification over possible worlds, with particular attention to the seminal work of Angelika Kratzer. In addition, it introduces more recent work on the interaction of modals with other elements, in particular with tense and subjects, which challenges classical approaches, and presents new directions.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- 1. Pronouns 1
- 2. Definiteness and indefiniteness 33
- 3. Specificity 70
- 4. Quantifiers 112
- 5. Bare noun phrases 149
- 6. Possessives and relational nouns 177
- 7. Mass nouns and plurals 204
- 8. Genericity 232
- 9. Aspectual class and Aktionsart 274
- 10. Perfect and progressive 313
- 11. Verbal mood 369
- 12. Deverbal nominalization 407
- 13. Tense 436
- 14. Modality 463
- 15. Conditionals 503
- 16. Propositional attitudes 532
- 17. Indexicality and De Se reports 562
- Index 619
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- 1. Pronouns 1
- 2. Definiteness and indefiniteness 33
- 3. Specificity 70
- 4. Quantifiers 112
- 5. Bare noun phrases 149
- 6. Possessives and relational nouns 177
- 7. Mass nouns and plurals 204
- 8. Genericity 232
- 9. Aspectual class and Aktionsart 274
- 10. Perfect and progressive 313
- 11. Verbal mood 369
- 12. Deverbal nominalization 407
- 13. Tense 436
- 14. Modality 463
- 15. Conditionals 503
- 16. Propositional attitudes 532
- 17. Indexicality and De Se reports 562
- Index 619
