EXPLORING THE NUANCES OF MODAL VERB NEGATION IN ENGLISH: AN ANALYSIS OF AUXILIARY AND MAIN VERB NEGATION
EXPLORING THE NUANCES OF MODAL VERB NEGATION IN ENGLISH: AN ANALYSIS OF AUXILIARY AND MAIN VERB NEGATION

Summary/Abstract: Although modal verb negation is a significant aspect of the English language, it is covered rather sparingly by grammarians, seemingly receiving little attention in linguistic studies. The present paper examines the intricacies of modal verb negation, with a particular emphasis on the distinction between modal auxiliary and main verb negation. In auxiliary verb negation, the negation relates to the meaning of the modal verb, shifting the implications of the sentence and frequently entailing lack of obligation, possibility, or necessity. On the other hand, in main verb negation, the main verb is negated in terms of its meaning, while the modal verb preserves its affirmative sense. The appropriate understanding of the many shades of meanings that are expressed by modal verb negation depends on this distinction. The present paper encompasses several critical aspects pertaining to topics related to modal verb negation, such as the distribution and interpretation of negated forms and the syntactic structures where modal verb negation occurs. We additionally analyse the semantic and pragmatic implications of modal verb negation, taking into account its impact on the meaning and interpretation of sentences in diverse contexts.

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