Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Deontic Modality

Definition: 

Deontic modality is modality that connotes the speaker's

  • degree of requirement of
  • desire for, or
  • commitment to the realization of

the proposition expressed by the utterance.

Examples: 

(English)

You may go at four o’clock.

All elections shall take place on schedule.

Source: 
10–11, 15, 96–97, 115