What is the difference between epistemic and deontic modal auxiliary verbs?

A modal auxillary verb is verb such as 'must', 'will', 'should', 'may', 'might' and so on, that indicate something that may or may not happen in a sentence. Whether or not the verb is epistemic or deontic indicates if 'something' will happen or not. For example, the modal auxillary verb 'will' is deontic because it means that the subject of the sentence definitely will happen, whilst the modal auxillary verb 'may' is epistemic because the outcome is less definite.

Related English Language A Level answers

All answers ▸

What makes good analysis?


Evaluate the methods used by the writers of you two texts to explore different kinds of love


Can you explain a theory of pragmatic development in Child Language Acquisition?


Example of 'Original Writing' -- The Power of Storytelling


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences