Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Alethic Modality

Definition: 

Alethic modality is modality that connotes the speaker’s estimation of the logical necessity or possibility of the proposition expressed by his utterance.

Discussion: 

The adjective alethic is also used in expressions of specific degrees of alethic modality, such as:

  • alethic possibility
  • alethic necessity
Examples: 

(English)

Alfred is a bachelor; thus he must be unmarried.

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