What is the difference between deontic and epistemic modal verbs?

A modal verbs is a type of auxiliary verb that shows possibility or obligationAn auxiliary verb is a verb that forms the tenses or moods in a sentence "helping words"e.g. Be, do, have (I have visited Rome)Modal Auxiliaries include:cancouldmaymightmustshallshouldwill, and wouldA deontic verb demonstrates necessity/obligation - so you need to complete the action e.g. You must go to school e.g. You should brush your teeth An epistemic verb shows possibility - often highlighting ability or choice to perform an action eg. you could go to school e.g., You might go to school

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Answered by Catherine B. English Language tutor

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