modal verb
noun1
Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences A verb whose primary function is to express grammatical mood.
- Although at first glance combinations of two modal verbs might seem to be cases of grammatical distortion, their use is scientifically recognised.2019, Irina S. Lebedeva, Svetlana N. Orlova, “Semantics and pragmatics of the double modal ‘might could’”, in Training, Language and Culture, volume 3, number 2, →DOI:
- Related terms
- auxiliary, auxiliary verb, helping verb, semimodal, central modal