Modal Verbs in Research Article Abstracts in Applied Linguistics: Juxtaposing Discursive Practices of the Inner and Outer Circles of English

Abstract The article introduces and discusses a computer-assisted study that seeks to shed light on the frequency use of central modal verbs ( can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would ) in research (further: RA) abstracts applied linguistics published Inner Outer Circles English, respectively. is informed by construal English are comprised Circle, where spoken as mother tongue (for example, United Kingdom), it used second language former British colonies instance, Hong Kong, Malaysia, etc.), Expanding Circle (e.g., Japan), taught foreign (Kachru 48). In regarded heterogeneous sociolinguistic space with fluid boundaries (Higgins 615) affects variety textual genres (Lee Collins 501). Against this background, aims at identifying analysing corpus RA international peer reviewed journals associated (one journal Kong one respectively) Kingdom). results quantitative analysis indicate most frequent entire can may , which function hedging devices These findings discussed through prism English.