II. SOCIAL FUNCTION OF MODALS: MODALS FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION AND ENGAGEMENT

1. Introduction to the Social Function of Modals

One kind of modal is a modal that has a Social Function. It is used in social interaction and engagement. This means that we modify verbs in some way in order to influence others in some way. This can include how forcefully or politely we say something—how we are negotiating something or how we express social control.

There are different forms for how these modals are written, including simple modals or phrasal modals (modals which are made by adding words such as auxiliary verbs to the modal). However, most modals of social function are simple modals made up of a single word modal + a base form verb: