This volume investigates the functional application of modal verbs within the English language through the use of concordance-based data analysis. The author, John Higgins, utilizes a corpus-driven approach to demonstrate how specific linguistic structures appear in authentic contexts. By providing structured samplers, the text aims to bridge the gap between theoretical grammatical rules and the practical usage patterns observed in real-world communication.

The subject matter points to a specialized, technical resource intended for educators and students of applied linguistics. The framing suggests a practical, data-centric approach to grammar instruction that prioritizes observation over rote memorization.