modalities

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'modalities' is correct and usable in written English.
'Modalities' refers to methods of doing something, so it can be used when referring to different methods of achieving a goal or completing a task. For example: "We need to consider the different modalities of delivery for this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fact that the succession threshold is much the same for all sensory modalities suggests that cross-modal integrative mechanisms may well exist.

SEP

For example, unlike for many other modal logics, formulas with nested modalities like □◊ p →□⊥ are not problematic, nor are there any disputes about which ones should be tautologies.

SEP

The increasing acceptance of Aristotle's philosophy gave support to traditional modal paradigms in logical treatises on modalities, in metaphysical theories of the principles of being, and in the discussions of causes and effects in natural philosophy.

SEP

That is, modalities can be freely used, but quantifiers cannot be applied to modal formulas (other propositional connectives such as negation and implication are shared).

SEP

Lycan (1988 , 1991 and others have disputed the claim that Lewis's account is free of any modalities and hence have questioned whether it really provides an analysis of our modal intuitive notions.

SEP

Modal logic can be viewed broadly as the logic of different sorts of modalities, or modes of truth: alethic ("necessarily"), epistemic ("it is known that"), deontic ("it ought to be the case that"), or temporal ("it has been the case that") among others.

SEP

We agreed on modalities on how to implement it.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, in the universe of international organisations and agencies in Geneva, they could subvert and provoke highly significant and irreparable damage to the currently observed modalities of communication.

The Economist

Three weeks after the disaster, the two countries are still haggling about the "modalities", apparently more interested in scoring political points than saving lives.

The Economist

Moreover, the modalities of how banks could be recapitalised directly, and how to deal with legacy assets, have yet to be agreed.When banking union was launched at a summit in June, it was clearly aimed at helping Spain cope with the burden of recapitalising its banks by shifting the additional debt to the ESM.

The Economist

In July the chairmen of the two key Doha-round committees one on agriculture, one on trade in non-farm goods put forward "draft modalities", documents that should form the basis of further discussion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider if a simpler word like "methods" or "approaches" might be more appropriate, depending on your audience. "Modalities" can sometimes sound overly technical.

Common error

Avoid using "modalities" when simpler, more direct words like "methods" or "approaches" would suffice. Overusing technical jargon can make your writing sound pretentious or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "modalities" is as a noun, typically used in the plural form. It functions as the object of a verb or preposition, denoting different methods, approaches, or sensory systems. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modalities" functions as a noun, primarily in its plural form, to describe various methods, approaches, or sensory systems. Ludwig AI indicates that the term is grammatically correct and widely used. While versatile, it leans towards formal and scientific contexts, suggesting that simpler terms may be preferred in more casual settings. Common usages appear in Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business domains. When using "modalities", ensure clarity by specifying the context (sensory, treatment, etc.) to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

methods

Focuses on the specific ways of doing something, similar to modalities but often more concrete.

approaches

Emphasizes a particular way of dealing with something, highlighting strategy and perspective.

mechanisms

Refers to the processes or systems through which something is achieved, often in a technical or scientific context.

avenues

Implies paths or routes to achieve a particular outcome or goal.

procedures

Stresses the formal and established ways of doing something, often within a specific organization or system.

processes

Highlights the series of actions or steps taken to achieve a result.

strategies

Focuses on the plans or methods used to achieve a specific goal, particularly in competitive situations.

tactics

Refers to the specific actions or maneuvers used to achieve a short-term goal, often as part of a larger strategy.

techniques

Emphasizes the specific skills or methods used to perform a task effectively.

options

Highlights the different choices or possibilities available in a given situation.

FAQs

How can I use "modalities" in a sentence?

You can use "modalities" to refer to different methods of treatment, different sensory systems, or different ways of doing something. For example, "The doctor discussed various treatment modalities" or "The research explores different sensory modalities".

What are some alternatives to using "modalities"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "methods", "approaches", "mechanisms", or "options".

Is it correct to use "modalities" in both technical and non-technical contexts?

While "modalities" is technically correct, it's more commonly used in technical or formal contexts. In non-technical contexts, simpler words may be clearer and more appropriate.

What's the difference between "modalities" and "methods"?

"Modalities" often implies a broader range of options or systems, while "methods" tends to refer to specific procedures or ways of doing something. The best choice depends on the level of generality you want to convey.