Graded Modality: Qualitative and Quantitative Perspectives
(Part of the Oxford Studies in Semantics and Pragmatics Series)
No Customer Reviews
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
This book explores graded expressions of modality, a rich and underexplored source of insight into modal semantics. Studies on modal language to date have largely focussed on a small and non-representative subset of expressions, namely modal auxiliaries such as must, might, and ought. Here, Daniel Lassiter argues that we should expand the conversation to include gradable modals such as more likely than, quite possible, and very good. He provides an introduction to qualitative and degree semantics for graded meaning, using the Representational Theory of Measurement to expose the complementarity between these apparently opposed perspectives on gradation. The volume explores and expands the typology of scales among English adjectives and uses the result to shed light on the meanings of a variety of epistemic and deontic modals. It also demonstrates that modality is deeply intertwined with probability and expected value, connecting modal semantics with the cognitive science of uncertainty and choice.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0198701349
ISBN13:9780198701347
Release Date:August 2017
Publisher:Oxford University Press (UK)
Length:296 Pages
Weight:1.60 lbs.
Dimensions:1.0" x 7.2" x 9.8"
Related Subjects
Language ArtsCustomer Reviews
0 rating
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
