Re: [DE] modal verbs

In article <dcql0f$ajv$05$2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Joachim Pense <spam-collector@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Barbara Need:
>
> > I don't know. I think use of both _dare_ and _need_ as modals (without
> > -s or _to_) in a positive utterance (as opposed to negative or
> > interrogative ones) is rarer than the other cases. My modalic usage
> > tends to be influenced by my study of them.
>
> Strange, also German brauchen with a verb (used either modal or nonmodal as
> is the standarad) is only possible in the negative form.

I'm not sure "He need go" is impossible in a positive use, but it is
certainly not as good as "Need he go?" or "He need not/needn't go".

> Is there a reason for this?

This is simple speculation. I have no evidence to back this, but I
wonder, if perhaps,[1] these are seen as more modalic in negatives and
interrogatives than in positives.

Barbara

[1] Enough hedging? BN
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: [DE] modal verbs
    ... Barbara Need: ... > interrogative ones) is rarer than the other cases. ... My modalic usage ... Strange, also German brauchen with a verb (used either modal or nonmodal as ...
    (sci.lang)
  • Re: [DE] modal verbs
    ... > Barbara> This can also be seen in English for need. ... My modalic usage ... Prev by Date: ...
    (sci.lang)
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