Modality and Modal Expressions

This book examines the concept of modality and the various linguistic means through which modal meanings are expressed in English and Serbian. Historically, the concept developed within philosophy and logic through the theory of possible worlds before becoming an important area of study in linguistic semantics. In addition to modal verbs, which are by far the most common means of expressing modality, the author discusses other linguistic elements that can convey modal meanings, such as lexical verbs, adverbs, adjectives, nouns, and other grammatical constructions. These elements enable speakers to express different degrees of certainty, necessity, or possibility. Finally, the book compares the ways in which modality is expressed in English and Serbian. While English often relies on modal verbs, Serbian tends to express modal meanings through a wider range of grammatical forms, including verb tense, aspect, mood, and specific constructions. The comparison highlights both similarities and structural differences between the two languages.