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HistoryOfEnglish » FocusAndContent » IdentifyingCentralProblems » Syntax » Modals » ModalsTask3


Task 3:


"One of the characteristics of the modal auxiliaries is the development of the purely modal, non-past use of the preterite forms would, should, might, could and must." (LASS 1999, 235)

What function could the use of the modal preterite have if it did not mark the past tense?
Express politeness.
Mark the future tense.
Did not have any function.


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