...dubitative
It means means using a modal verb that indicates "showing doubt about whether an event will occur" (LING550 lecture notes): You might make it on time
The other modals also have fun words:
Obligative = must (you must pay the rent)
Permissive = may (you may be excused)
Abilitative = can (but I can't pay the rent!)
In prescriptive grammar, "can" would always be abilitative, I suppose, but in descriptive grammar "can" can be used for permissive moods
Hey, wait a minute... "I'll pay the rent!"
Were does something like shall/will come into this? That's not in my notes...
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