JOURNAL OF IQRO – ЖУРНАЛ ИҚРО – IQRO JURNALI – volume 17, issue 01, 2025
ISSN: 2181-4341, IMPACT FACTOR ( RESEARCH BIB ) – 7,245, SJIF – 5,431
ILMIY METODIK JURNAL
Amirqulova Nargiza
Osiyo Texnologiyalar Universiteti
THE USE OF MODALITY IN EXPRESSING
UNREALITY IN ENGLISH CLAUSES 2025
Abstract:
This paper examines the role of modality in expressing unreality in English clauses.
Modality is a linguistic category that conveys the speaker’s attitude towards the proposition,
ranging from certainty to possibility, obligation, and necessity. In the context of unreality,
modality plays a crucial role in marking hypothetical, counterfactual, and imagined situations.
This study explores theoretical foundations of modality, the classification of modal meanings,
and their application in expressing unreal situations in English. Special attention is paid to
grammatical structures such as the subjunctive mood, conditional clauses, and wish-
constructions. Examples and analysis highlight the interplay between form and meaning, offering
insights into how English encodes unreality through modal expressions.
Keywords:
modality, unreality, subjunctive, conditionals, wish-constructions, epistemic, deontic,
dynamic.
1. Introduction
Language is not merely a tool for describing reality; it also allows speakers to create, imagine,
and discuss unreal situations. In English, this ability is largely achieved through the use of
modality.
Modality reflects the speaker’s perspective on the truth, necessity, or possibility of a statement.
When we talk about unreality, we often deal with events that have not occurred, situations that
are imagined, or conditions that are contrary to fact.
The expression of unreality is particularly important in academic writing, literature, and
hypothetical reasoning. It allows for speculation, planning, and creative thinking. In English
grammar, unreality is closely linked to modal verbs (e.g., would, could, might, should) and
specific grammatical constructions (such as the subjunctive mood and conditional clauses).
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how modality operates in the expression of unreality
in English clauses, to classify the types of modality, and to analyze their grammatical realization.
2. Theoretical Framework
2.1. Definition of Modality
Modality is a semantic category that expresses a speaker’s judgment about the factual status of a
proposition. According to Palmer (2001), modality concerns “the ways in which languages allow
speakers to express attitudes towards the truth or necessity of the situation described in the
proposition.”
JOURNAL OF IQRO – ЖУРНАЛ ИҚРО – IQRO JURNALI – volume 17, issue 01, 2025
ISSN: 2181-4341, IMPACT FACTOR ( RESEARCH BIB ) – 7,245, SJIF – 5,431
ILMIY METODIK JURNAL
2.2. The Concept of Unreality
Unreality refers to states of affairs that are hypothetical, counterfactual, or imaginary. In English,
unreality is marked through both verbal morphology and auxiliary modal verbs. Sentences like If
I were you, I would take the job present scenarios that are clearly unreal from the speaker’s
perspective.
2.3. Modality and Time Reference
In unreal clauses, modality interacts with tense and aspect. For example:
I wish I had studied harder. (past perfect for an unreal past)
If he were here, we would discuss the matter. (past tense for an unreal present)
3. Types of Modality in Expressing Unreality
3.1. Epistemic Modality
Epistemic modality expresses the speaker’s degree of certainty or belief about the truth of a
statement. When expressing unreality, epistemic modality often signals impossibility or
improbability.
Examples:
He could have been the winner, but he gave up.
She might have passed if she had studied harder.
3.2. Deontic Modality
Deontic modality deals with necessity, obligation, or permission. In unreal situations, it is often
used
to discuss hypothetical rules or duties.
Examples:
You should have told me the truth.
He could have left earlier if he had permission.
3.3. Dynamic Modality
Dynamic modality refers to ability or willingness in unreal contexts. It often combines with
counterfactual conditionals.
Examples:
I would run faster if I were younger.
JOURNAL OF IQRO – ЖУРНАЛ ИҚРО – IQRO JURNALI – volume 17, issue 01, 2025
ISSN: 2181-4341, IMPACT FACTOR ( RESEARCH BIB ) – 7,245, SJIF – 5,431
ILMIY METODIK JURNAL
She could have won if she had tried harder.
4. Grammatical Constructions Expressing Unreality
4.1. Conditional ClausesConditional clauses are a major tool for expressing unreality. English
distinguishes:
1. Second Conditional – unreal present/future:
If I had more time, I would learn Spanish.
2. Third Conditional – unreal past:
If she had studied, she would have passed the exam.
3. Mixed Conditional – unreal past with present result:
If I had studied harder, I would have a better job now.
4.2. Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive is used in formal English to express wishes, suggestions, and hypothetical
situations.
Examples:
I suggest that he be appointed immediately.
If I were in your position, I would agree.
4.3. Wish-Constructions
The verb wish explicitly marks unreal situations.
Examples:
I wish I knew the answer. (unreal present)
I wish you had called me earlier. (unreal past)
I wish it would stop raining. (unreal future)
5. Analysis and Discussion
A key observation is that modality in unreality often requires a shift in tense that does not
correspond to real time reference. This “backshifting” is a grammatical signal of distance from
reality.
JOURNAL OF IQRO – ЖУРНАЛ ИҚРО – IQRO JURNALI – volume 17, issue 01, 2025
ISSN: 2181-4341, IMPACT FACTOR ( RESEARCH BIB ) – 7,245, SJIF – 5,431
ILMIY METODIK JURNAL
For example:
If I were rich, I would travel — the past tense “were” does not indicate past time, but rather
unreal status.
I wish I had gone — past perfect signals an unrealized past event.
Corpus analysis shows that modal verbs like would, could, and might are the most frequent
markers of unreality. Literary texts make extensive use of these forms to construct alternative
worlds, while academic discourse uses them to frame hypotheses.
6. Conclusion
The study confirms that modality is central to expressing unreality in English clauses. The
interaction between modal verbs, tense, and specific constructions allows speakers to convey
hypothetical, counterfactual, and imaginary situations with precision. Mastery of these forms is
essential for advanced proficiency in English, particularly for non-native speakers.
References
1. Palmer, F.R. (2001). Mood and Modality. Cambridge University Press.
2. Quirk, R., Greenbaum, S., Leech, G., & Svartvik, J. (1985). A Comprehensive Grammar of the
English Language. Longman.
3. Lyons, J. (1977). Semantics. Cambridge University Press.
4. Huddleston, R., & Pullum, G.K. (2002). The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language.
Cambridge University Press.
5. Coates, J. (1983). The Semantics of the Modal Auxiliaries. Croom Helm.
6. Collins, P. (2009). Modals and Quasi-modals in English. Rodopi.
7. Leech, G. (2004). Meaning and the English Verb. Longman
