Keywords
Abstract
In academic writing, clarity, precision, and tone are essential. One of the key grammatical tools that help writers achieve these qualities is the modal verb. Modal verbs such as can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would allow writers to express attitudes toward the possibility, necessity, or desirability of an action. They help scholars communicate ideas without overstating claims, signal levels of certainty, and maintain the formal tone expected in scholarly discourse.
Academic writing rarely deals in absolute truths. Most research findings are interpreted within a specific context, and generalizations must be approached with caution. For this reason, modal verbs are frequently used to hedge statements, offer interpretations, and present conclusions tentatively rather than definitively. This strategy reflects the critical, evidence-based nature of academic research and prevents the writer from making unsupported or overly confident claims.
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