Modaal weten

Abstract

The paper discusses a number of properties of a particular use of the Dutch verb weten ‘to know’, viz., where the verbs functions like a kind of modal verb with the semantics ‘can, be able to’. It is shown that this modal use is much younger than the original verb of cognition – a usage that still exists alongside the new development. One of the claims is that the new, modal use is the result of grammaticalization.