By Verbs, helping verbs

epistemic modality is subjective and deontic modality is objective. I disagree completely. Objectivity has more to do with an external viewpoint, subjectivity with an internal viewpoint. If there is any possible and slight correlation between the subjective/objective polarity and the...

CalifJim wrote:The conflation of two modals. Why don't you just get rid of one of them?This is not the conflation of two modals. It is a distinction in usage based on a different parameter from the one you may be used to. That is, the distinction is made on the basis of whether the meaning is...

The conflation of two modals. Why don't you just get rid of one of them? This is not the conflation of two modals. It is a distinction in usage based on a different parameter from the one you may be used to. That is, the distinction is made on the basis of whether the meaning is epistemic...

I must have been sleeptyping too, in my earlier comment about the lack of a past tense form with "must", since "must" is already a past tense form (of the obsolete "mote"). It's interesting that "I have got to" and "I must" both use past tense forms for a present tense meaning. At first, I...

CalifJim wrote:it seems that a few American English speakers do not distinguish between those usesActually, the subjective/objective distinction is of extremely little importance to American speakers. Typically "must" is used as an epistemic modal almost exclusively in ordinary conversation,...

it seems that a few American English speakers do not distinguish between those uses Actually, the subjective/objective distinction is of extremely little importance to American speakers. Typically "must" is used as an epistemic modal almost exclusively in ordinary conversation, and...

Milky wrote: Anonymous wrote:In the sentence, "She has to eat salad every day," would "has to" be a helping verb for the action verb "eat?" Initially "to eat" looks like an infinitive, but isn't "has to" another way of saying "must," which would make it a helping verb? Thanks! "Have/has/had...

I would take those as subjective. But there seem to be some complications with "had to". It's often presented as the "past tense" of "must", e.g. 1. "You must go directly to the headmaster's study and wait for me there." Later: "He said I had to go directly to the headmaster's study and wait...

"MrPedantic" It's an attractive theory, Milky; but would you say it holds true of all these examples? ________________________________________________ So, tell me what you think about a few of them. 1 the chance to grow up graciously. He had to acquire everything he was going...

MrPedantic wrote: Milky wrote: "Have to" is normally used for subjective obligation or necessity, e.g. when a person feels he/she is obliged to do something or something is necessary, and "must" (in one use) is used for expressing objective obligation or necessity. that is, when the obligation...