linguistic modality

Linguistic modality refers to how speakers express their attitudes toward the reality or certainty of what they are saying. It involves words and structures that indicate possibility, necessity, permission, obligation, or probability. For example, phrases like "might," "must," "can," or "should" show different levels of certainty or obligation. Modality helps us communicate not just facts but also our feelings about those facts, such as whether something is likely, possible, or required. It adds nuance and depth to language, allowing speakers to convey degrees of certainty, permission, or obligation effectively.