The modal words

§ 1. The modal words express the attitude of the speaker to the reality, possibility or probability, of the action he speaks about.

§ 2. According to their meaning modal words fall under the following main groups:

(1) words expressing certainty (certainly, surely, assuredly, of course, no doubt, apparently, undoubtedly, etc.);

(2) words expressing supposition (perhaps, maybe, possibly, probably, etc.);

(3) words showing whether the speaker considers the action he speaks about desirable or undesirable (happily — unhappily; luckily — unluckily; fortunately — unfortunately).

§ 3. In the sentence modal words are used as parentheses.¹ Sometimes they are used as sentence-words.²

¹ See Chapter XV, The Simple Sentence.

² Modal words used as sentence-words are similar to the words yes and no expressing affirmation and negation, which are also sentence-words.

Certainly you’ll admit we could finish all this in a month. (Wilson)

“Will you allow me to detain you one moment,” said he. “Certainly,” replied

the unwelcome visitor. (Dickens)

§ 4. Most modal words have developed from adverbs, so very often there exists a formal identity between modal words and adverbs. For instance such modal words as certainly, surely, happily are homonymous with the adverbs certainly, surely, happily.

Such modal words as possibly, probably, indeed, also derived from adverbs, have no corresponding homonymous adverbs because the latter ceased to be used in Modern English.

Though formally identical with adverbs, modal words differ from them in meaning and syntactical function.

If he were not married as happily as he was, might not something come of it?

(Dreiser) (ADVERB)

...she hauled me to the washstand, inflicted a merciless, but happily brief

scrub on my face and hands with soap water, and a coarse towel... (Ch.

Bronte) (MODAL WORD)

Lamlein rose. “We have fulfilled our obligations,” he said pompously, and yet

not quite certainly. (Heym) (ADVERB)

Soames smiled. Certainly, uncle Jolyon had a way with him. (Galsworthy)

(MODAL WORD)

Slowly, surely, with the secret inner process that works the destruction of an

old tree, the poison of the wounds to his happiness, his will, his pride, had

corroded the comely edifice of his philosophy. (Galsworthy) (ADVERB)

Over the ridge she would find him. Surely she would find him over the ridge.

(Wells) (MODAL WORD)

Chapter XI

The interjection

§ 1. The interjection is a part of speech which expresses various emotions without naming them.

§ 2. According to their meaning interjections fall under two main groups, namely emotional interjections and imperative interjections.

1. Emotional interjections express the feelings of the speaker. They are: ah, oh, eh, bravo, alas, etc.

...A man jumped on top of the barricade and waving exuberantly shouted,

“Americans! Hurrah!” (Heym) (joy)

Alas! The white house was empty and there was a bill in the window “To let”.

(Dickens) (sorrow)

Psha! There’s no possibility of being witty without a little, ill nature.

(Sheridan) (contempt)

Oh, bother! I can’t see anyone now. Who is it? (Shaw) (indignation)

“Dear me!” says Mr. Chillip meekly smiling with something shining in his

eyes. (Dickens) (surprise)

2. Imperative interjections show the will of the speaker or his order or appeal to the hearer. They are: here, hush, sh-sh, well, come, now, etc.

Here! I’ve had enough of this. I’m going. (Shaw) (protest)

“Upon my word I was not awake, sir,” replied Oliver earnestly. “I was not, indeed, sir.” “Tush, tush, my dear!” said the Jew abruptly resuming his old manner. (Dickens) (order)