THE NOTION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF MODAL ‘PERIPHRASIS’ IN SPANISH (BASED ON THE EXAMPLE OF BELLES-LETTRES)

Abstract

The article deals with periphrastic constructions verbalized in Spanish belles-lettres. The definitions of verbal periphrasis that are considered basic are provided. The paper presents a comprehensive review of the infinitive constructions with modal verbs in Spanish modern belles-lettres, their basic properties are analyzed, and the Spanish genuine modal periphrasis is defined.

Keywords

• verbal periphrasis
• loss of meaning
• modal verb
• verboid
• syntactic properties