Date: Sat, 2 Jul 1994 15:27:24 CDT

From: "Donald M. Lance" ENGDL[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]MIZZOU1.BITNET

Subject: Re: Double modals in Utah



The way to check for 'modal status' is to see whether the verb would be

used in the indicative mood with no -s when the subject is 'he'.

George has said many things about modals.

?Need he say more?

?He need say no more.

?He dare not repeat the threat to be unresponsive.

*/?Dare he refuse to answer Sali's question?



Any sentence frame with a subject other than third person singular will not

serve as a good test for 'modal status' of the auxiliary. And the frame must

not be subjunctive. 'Dare' and 'need' act like modals only in rather

limited senses/situations. DMLance