In a modal relation between superordinate proposition S↴S and subordinate proposition ↴S, ↴S designates a manner, circumstance or other situation which specifies the way in which S↴S holds. Modal constructions may be classified as follows:
- The situation designated by
S↴S may be realized in a certain way, and ↴S specifies this way. Then ↴S is a manner proposition ().
↴S designates an independent situation which holds or does not hold in addition to the situation designated by S↴S, but which in any case specifies a circumstance under which S↴S holds. Then ↴S is a circumstance proposition ().S↴S may hold to a certain extent, and ↴S specifies this extent. Then ↴S is a comparative proposition ().
| . | Linda caressed the donkey like a mother caresses her baby. |
| . | Erna packte ihre Sachen, ohne dass jemand davon Notiz nahm. |
| German | Linda packed her belongings without anybody even noticing it. |
| . | Linda ran as fast as Irvin could follow. |
The distinction between the three kinds of modal propositions is not clear-cut; different criteria may be used to draw it. The following distinction may be made between a manner proposition and a proposition of comparison of equality: A manner proposition specifies the manner in which S↴S is realized, while a comparative proposition specifies the extent to which S↴S holds. The latter presupposes a scalar parameter on which S↴S occupies a value, while the former does not presuppose this.