The syntax of modal constructions in English

Hakutani, Yoshinobu; Hargis, Charles H.

doi:10.1016/0024-3841(72)90059-9

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The term that is widely used for these expressions is 'quasi-modals' (e.g. by Hakutani and Hargis 1972, Chapin 1973, Coates 1983, Perkins 1983, and Westney 1995.…”

Section: Quasi-modalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modals and Quasi-modals in English

Collins¹

2009

172

223

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“…The term that is widely used for these expressions is 'quasi-modals' (e.g. by Hakutani and Hargis 1972, Chapin 1973, Coates 1983, Perkins 1983, and Westney 1995.…”

Section: Quasi-modalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modals and Quasi-modals in English

Collins¹

2009

172

223

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“…• This conclusion applies with equal force to the somewhat similar analysis advanced by Hakutani and Hargis (1972), which classes have to, be to, be about (going, able, unable) to, etc., äs "quasi-modals" closely parallel to the "pure modals" can, may, etc. • This conclusion applies with equal force to the somewhat similar analysis advanced by Hakutani and Hargis (1972), which classes have to, be to, be about (going, able, unable) to, etc., äs "quasi-modals" closely parallel to the "pure modals" can, may, etc.…”

mentioning

confidence: 57%

ON THE SYNTACTIC STATUS OF THE VERB BE TO IN PRESENT-DAY ENGLISH

Seppänen¹

1979

Angl

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“…Westney's work in large measure gathers, summarizes, and codifies earlier efforts by Palmer (1990), Quirk et al (1985), Chapin (1973), and Hakutani and Hargis (1972), among others. According to Westney, results of these tests would suggest where along a continuum or gradient-from lexical verb through quasi-modal and modal to primary auxiliary-a given expression would be placed (1995,17).…”

Section: Fixin' To and The Standards Of Quasi-modalitymentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Collins asserts that "quasi-modal" is the widely used term for this type of english modal marker (citing Hakutani and Hargis 1972;Chapin 1973;Coates 1983;Perkins 1983;and Westney 1995) and chooses to refer to this set of modal markers as "quasi-modal" in his book-length discourse on english modality; I follow suit with Collins in this article by also referring to these modal markers as "quasi-modals." See also note 10.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fixin’ To: THE EMERGENCE OF AN AMERICAN Quasi-Modal

Myers¹

2014

American Speech

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The Southern American english expression fixin' to has its roots in the lexical verb to fix. The expression has developed in english for over six centuries, from a concrete transitive verb of Latin origin, through intransitive phases that included complements of either for + gerund or nonfinite verb phrases, and eventually to a quasi-modal with both deontic and epistemic senses of assessment, acknowledgement, and response to compelling or obligating circumstances. Syntactic and semantic tests are offered to argue that fixin' to clearly belongs in the family of American english quasi-modals, which also includes be bound to, be going to, and be supposed to. It is hypothesized that the expression bears a special semantic value implying that the speaker (1) is aware of and has evaluated a situation; (2) acknowledges a resulting pressing obligation or compulsion-typically, but not always, in the first person-to act/to happen; and (3) is preparing to address the situation forthwith. Finally, it is claimed that this special semantic value of fixin' to is why the expression has withstood the pressures of stigmatization and remains in the everyday lexicon of Southern American english speakers.

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The syntax of modal constructions in English

Cited by 8 publications

References 12 publications

Modals and Quasi-modals in English

Modals and Quasi-modals in English

ON THE SYNTACTIC STATUS OF THE VERB BE TO IN PRESENT-DAY ENGLISH

Fixin’ To: THE EMERGENCE OF AN AMERICAN Quasi-Modal

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