A Functional Analysis Of The Probable Moodal Advers '大概','也许' And '恐怕'

This paper chiefly discusses the functional similarities and differences of the probable modal adverbs "大概","也许" and "恐怕" from syntactic, semantic and pragmatic.In the first part, we observe from four aspects: alternative limitation, sentence position, solo use and co-occurrence. As to the alternative limitation of predicate, it analyses their alternative limitation to VP, AP and NP; as to the contrast of the sentence position, we discover their positions are very flexible, they normally appear in the initial position or the medial position, when they are in the end position, it is a phenomenon of exchanged position; as to the solo uses, "大概" and "也许" can be used soly, but "恐怕" can't; as to the analysis of co-occurrence, we are dissatisfied with the simple classification and description, so we make explanations from semantic, syntactic, pragmatic and cognitive angle.In the second part , we start with the basic semantic of the three adverbs, first make a conclusion about its semantic character, then analyze their semantic structure mode, try hard to observe the differences between them overall, finally focused on their similarities and differences .In the third part, after analyzing their pragmatic alternatives according to the pragmatic prediction and sentence choices, we discover the pragmatic prediction is an essential factor to restrict thetransformation of the three probable modal adverbs. They can all be used in declarative sentences and conjective question sentences, but can't be used in imperative sentences and exclamatory sentences.This paper we focus on the classification, lay importance not only to the grammar pattern and meaning, but also to description and explanation; combines the grammar pattern with meaning, description with explanation. The purpose is not for comprehensive system but for details.