MODAL VERBS AS A LINGUISTIC CATEGORY: A SCIENTIFIC AND ANALYTICAL STUDY

Abstract

Modal verbs constitute a crucial grammatical category in English, functioning as primary linguistic tools for expressing modality, that is, speakers’ attitudes toward actions, events, and states of affairs. Rather than encoding concrete actions, modal verbs convey abstract meanings such as obligation, necessity, possibility, probability, ability, and permission. This article presents a scientific and analytical examination of modal verbs from a linguistic and pedagogical perspective. Drawing on established grammatical theories and empirical research in applied linguistics, the study analyzes the structural characteristics, semantic variability, and pragmatic functions of modal verbs in English. Particular attention is given to the role of context in meaning interpretation and to the challenges faced by language learners in mastering modal usage. The article argues that modal verbs should be treated not merely as auxiliary elements but as a central mechanism of meaning construction, essential for achieving communicative competence in English.