Subjective meaning of modal verbs

Subjective meaning of modal verbs

CA108

 

The subjective meaning of the modal verbs states the speaker's attitude towards the content of his/her statement. Through the subjective meaning of the modal verbs either the likelihood of a fact is assessed (hypothesis) or speech is reported i.e. the words of somebody.

 

Modal verbs that express hypothesis

 

modal verb Examples
progression of possibility
 transcription
müssen in the indicative Paul muss um diese Zeit zu Hause sein.

95%

 certainly
müssen in the Konjunktiv II Paul müsste um diese Zeit zu Hause sein.
85%
 most probably
dürfen in the Konjunktiv II Paul dürfte um diese Zeit zu Hause sein.
75%
 probably
können in the indicative Paul kann um diese Zeit zu Hause sein.
50%
 maybe
können in the Konjunktiv II Paul könnte um diese Zeit zu Hause sein.
40%
 possibly

 

 

Note on nur können

 

When the modal verb können is accompanied by the word nur, it shares the same meaning with müssen.

 

Example
Das kann nur eine Verwechslung sein.
=
 Das muss eine Verwechslung sein.

Subjective meaning of modal verbs

CA108A

 

Negated modal verbs that express hypothesis

 

When modal verbs are negated, the levels of possibility described in the table above are differentiated. Negated können expresses something impossible.

 

affirmation
progression of possibility
 negation *
Paul muss um diese Zeit zu Hause sein.
95%

95%

 Paul kann um diese Zeit nicht zu Hause sein.
Paul müsste um diese Zeit zu Hause sein.
85%
85%
 ---
Paul dürfte um diese Zeit zu Hause sein.
75%
75%
 Paul dürfte um diese Zeit nicht zu Hause sein.
Paul kann um diese Zeit zu Hause sein.
50%
50%
 ---
Paul könnte um diese Zeit zu Hause sein.
45%
40%
 ---

 

* only limited possibility.

Subjective meaning of modal verbs

CA108B

Indirect speech (reporting someone's statement)

 

Modal verbs sollen and wollen are used to report someone's words.

 

Sollen reports the statement of one or more people - who are not mentioned in the sentence- regarding the subject of the sentence. The speaker reports this statement without expressing his/her own attitude towards the truthfulness of the statement.

 

Example transcription
Lisa soll schwanger sein.
=
 Eine dritte Person / man behauptet, dass Lisa schwanger ist.

 

We use wollen to report a statement made by the sentence subject regarding the subject itself. This subject can only be in the 2nd or 3rd person. Thus, the speaker can report someone's statement regarding oneself and, at the same time, express a doubt regarding the truthfulness of this statement.

 

Example transcription
Anton will der schnellste Läufer sein.
=
 Anton behauptet, dass er der schnellste Läufer ist.

Subjective meaning of modal verbs

CA108C

 

Modal verbs, when used with their subjective meaning, refer mostly to the present time.

 

Examples time
Paul muss zu Hause sein. present
Paul soll zu Hause sein.

 

When, however, the hypothesis or the reported statement of someone refer to the past, the modal verb is combined with a perfect infinitive (Infinitiv II).

 

Examples
present
past
Paul muss zu Hause
sein
gewesen sein
Paul soll zu Hause
sein
gewesen sein
 

 

If the hypothesis or the reported statement are made in the past, the modal verb is in the Präteritum and is connected either with a present infinitive (simultaneity) or a perfect infinitive (anteriority). Under no circumstances is the modal verb in the present perfect, past perfect or in the future tenses.

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