Commissive Modality
Definition:
Commissive modality is a deontic modality that connotes the speaker's expressed commitment, as a promise or threat, to bring about the proposition expressed by the utterance.
Discussion:
If the usage of the term commissive modality is extended beyond solely grammaticalized means of expression, it becomes nearly synonymous with commissive illocutionary point.
Examples:
(English)
All elections shall take place on schedule.
This statement is understood as the speaker’s own commitment to avoid delays.
Source:
115–116
This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library. Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003.