By Negatives, Modal auxiliaries

If we follow Swann, we can use need as a modal verb in an affirmative sentence when a 'non-affirmative' word (such as only, hardly, seldom etc.) gives the sentence a negative kind of meaning. Look at Swann's last example: the sentence becomes incorrect when only is removed.That said,...

Hi EladioYou have a mathematical mind! Congratulations! In addition to what CalifJim and MrP have said, I would like to add a couple of comments. In one of your sentences not is in the wrong place:"Shall not we ever get used to this house?" Not can't be after a defective/modal...

dare is a marginal modal auxiliary. It can be used as a modal auxiliary with bare infinitive and without the inflected forms or as a main verbs with or without to inf and with inflected forms. He dare(s) (to) go. Dare you go? He dared not go. The modal usage is restricted to nonassertive...

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...

Inchoateknowledge wrote:there are some oddities I have just dug up in a grammar book and in which you might be interested:Marginal modal auxiliaries:used to, ought to, need, dareused to:He usedn't to smoke.He did not use to smoke.He used to drink, did he not.Did he use to drink?ought to:Ought I...

there are some oddities I have just dug up in a grammar book and in which you might be interested: Marginal modal auxiliaries: used to, ought to, need, dare used to: He usedn't to smoke. He did not use to smoke. He used to drink, did he not. Did he use to drink? ought...

1) My little brother would not turn down the radio volume in the morning. MY = possessive adjective LITTLE = DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVE BROTHER = noun WOULD = modal auxiliary NOT = NEGATIVE PARTICLE TURN = main verb DOWN = adverb particle THE = definite article RADIO = noun (used as an...

There must be a negative word or implication in the clause, K., when 'need' is a 'semi-modal auxiliary': You needn't go. Only he need go. MrP

Miriam, The book is by Rodney Huddleston and Geoffrey Pullum. The capital letters in square brackets refer to a list of criteria on the preceding page concerning auxiliary verbs vs. modal auxiliaries. Here's the list: AUXILIARY PROPERTIES Primary verb negation. Subject-auxiliary inversion ...