In Modals^x, Negations^x

CalifJim wrote:Why must expresses epistemic modality -- it must be the mailman, and must not carries only deontic modalityNot to spoil the argument you're making here, but to clarify a tangential matter: This is not true for American English, which allows the following:-- Janette is not eating...

This is probably best discussed in a separate thread Ant_222. Nevertheless, In the case of modalities (can, may , must, etc.), negation may apply to the modality or to the residue (the proposition).. Let's start with You have to do it. (You must do it.) Negating the modality gives: ...

Hi redliddyI am not so sure what to say about your 'Others' group but the difference between 'Modals' and 'Semi-modals' is very clear. I have always called 'modals' defective auxiliaries, by the way, but I do know that your term is also used.With the modals you never use do in questions and...

I agree with Philip. And the question almost seems designed for students of BrE, in which case, I think the test makers might expect "mustn't". I'm not sure, though, so let's wait for more responses. Modal expressions separate into the modality and the residue. Modality: must,...

Paco2004 wrote: CalifJim wrote:"Can not" (two words) is never acceptable when the intent is to negate the modality.Sometimes we English learners from non-English speaking countries have to read historical documents like below. "Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that...

Thank you to all those who have posted their suggestions to my little imagination game. Some have taken it very seriously thinking they would have to relearn English after the 'changes'. This was meant to be just a game, not for those wo take everything seriously, and of course in this game...

MrPedantic wrote: Yes they are similar, but... When you want to say that it is required something to be done regularly you use have to He has to do his homework after school every day. Cf. however 1. You must take three of these pills every day after lunch. Yes but in this case it is the...

verbs that allow subject inversion (...) are called 'operators.' Operators are the modals, forms of be, and forms of do or have when these are not the main verb. Personally, I've been feeling quite uneasy at this usage of the term 'operator.' I wonder if I could change it slightly to...

CalifJim wrote:I prefer to use can not (two words) when the negation applies to the proposition following the modal, cannot (one word) when the negation applies to the modal itself. -- What should I do to show them I no longer want to participate in their organization? -- You can not go to...

"I prefer to use can not (two words) when the negation applies to the proposition following the modal, cannot (one word) when the negation applies to the modal itself." Hello Jim, It is not clear to me. Would you elaborate further, please?