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Article published In: Constructions and Frames
Vol. 14:2 (2022) ► pp.226–261

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From modals to modal constructions

An n-gram analysis of can, could and be able to

 | University of Paris 8
Published online: 22 December 2022
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https://doi.org/10.1075/cf.21001.lec
Abstract
The goal of this paper is to present the results of a corpus analysis aimed at identifying n-grams (i.e., lexical sequences) with the modals can, could and be able to. While details about the functional profile of these verbs are still being discussed (e.g., Leclercq, B., & Depraetere, I. (2022). Making meaning with be able to: modality and actualization. English Language and Linguistics, 26(1), 27–48. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar), it is surprising that relatively scarce attention is given to the lexico-grammatical patterns in which they are found and which come with their own semantic and pragmatic features. Using the methodology developed in (2016b). Response to Hilpert. Constructions and Frames, 8(1), 86–96. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar, a total of 1,640 n-grams were extracted from COCA (Davies, M. (2008–). The Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA): 520 million words, 1990-present. Available online at [URL]). A number of these patterns are discussed and, in keeping with the approach developed in Construction Grammar ( (2019). Construction grammar and its application to English. Second edition. Edinburgh University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar), it is shown that an enhanced understanding of these verbs can be achieved when viewed as part of more complex networks of constructions.
Article outline
  • 1.Background and aim
  • 2.Methodology
  • 3.Can, could and be able to: N-grams and modal constructions
    • 3.1Be able to n-grams
    • 3.2Can and could n-grams
      • {Let’s} see if subj can VP
      • {For} as long as I can remember
      • subj could not be reached for comment
      • It {can/could} be argued that…
      • I can’t tell you how…
      • I {can/could}n’t help {but VP/V-ing}; You can’t help {but VP/V-ing}; Subj {can/could} not help {but VP/V-ing};
      • I can assure you that (…)
      • I don’t think we can VP
  • 4.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
References (62)
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