In Modals^x, Negations^x

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 their meetings...

How can I decide which the operator is in a sentence? The modal verbs (can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must), be, and do and have in some circumstances are the operators. Their negated contracted forms are also operators (can't, doesn't, etc.) They are nearly...

I don't think there is any really satisfactory explanation except to say that the verb "dare" is quite unusual. Sometimes it is used as a full verb, while at other times it is used somewhat like a modal or auxiliary verb. The full form is acceptable in all circumstances; the...

Thanks, Paco. Quirk, et al are no help with the reason; they just say that some do and some don't usually take transferred negation. Do: anticipate, be supposed to, believe, calculate, expect, figure, imagine, reckon, suppose, think, appear, seem, feel/look/sound as if, wish...

Overview: outsiders seeks help of linguistspart one: the set uppart two: the questions I. I am a graduate student in philosophy investigating what we call "epistemic possibility". Sentence express this modality when they assert that something is possible relative to some epistemic category...

The whole thing is mine. No quotes. To expand: According to many linguists, a sentence with a modal actually splits into two parts - the modality and the proposition. Sometimes the word "residue" is used instead of "proposition". "The neighbors may want this old refrigerator." The modality...

This is a problem of messing-up "need" which is a) a full verb and b) a modal helping verb. a) As a full verb, "need" means "require, lack sth" or also "have to". In this case, need conjugates like all the other 'normal' verbs: 3rd person singular with -s, followed by an infinitive with "to",...

Modal "need" must be non-assertive, i.e., in negations or in questions.

Just to be sure: Need as a modal auxiliary is only possible in its negation, am I right? Or are there any examples for "need" used as an auxiliary in non-negated sentences? Thanks

I see. By the way, This is called 'transferred negation', Taka, and is common with verbs of opinion (think, believe, appear, seem, expect, etc.) So it is not a matter of the modal, or of any particular verb in the subordinate clause, but a matter of the verb in the main clause. Yes, I know...