auxiliary equivalent

auxiliary equivalent (verb/verbfrase som har samme betydning som et hjelpeverb): a phrase with roughly the same meaning as one of the modal auxiliaries. E.g. be willing to = will, be able to = can, be allowed to = may, be supposed to = must/should. The main function of (modal) auxiliary equivalents is to provide non-finite forms that express modal meanings, since modal auxiliaries proper have no non-finite forms. The use of auxiliary equivalents also makes it possible to express two modal meanings in the same clause, e.g. He may be willing to contribute. He won't be able to make it. We might not be allowed to camp here.