User:Gwalla/modality (linguistics)

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In linguistics, a grammatical category that expresses the status of a proposition. Certainty, probability, desirability, and obligation are all examples of modality. In most languages it is shown through auxiliary verbs (called modal verbs), grammatical particles, or by inflection of the verb (see grammatical mood).

Realis and Irrealis

Realis & Irrealis grammatical categories
realis & irrealis mood inflections
indicative & subjunctive

Propositional modality

Epistemic modality

Evidential modality

Mixed propositional systems

Event modality

Imperative, jussive, and hortative

Deontic modality

Dynamic modality

Wishes and fears

Modality and Tense

Future tense as irrealis
Modal-past, "would"  as modal-past, Greek optative as past-tense subjunctive