modality: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, academic, technical
Quick answer
What does “modality” mean?
A particular mode or way in which something exists or is expressed, often relating to methods, forms, or sensory perception.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A particular mode or way in which something exists or is expressed, often relating to methods, forms, or sensory perception.
In linguistics, a category of meaning expressing necessity, possibility, or permission. In philosophy, the status of being possible, necessary, or contingent. In medicine, a therapeutic method or diagnostic technique.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is highly consistent between UK and US English in academic/professional contexts. Slight preference for 'modality' in UK medical writing, while US may use 'method' or 'approach' more in general contexts.
Connotations
Neutral to formal. In education (e.g., 'learning modality'), it can sound jargonistic.
Frequency
More frequent in academic, linguistic, philosophical, and medical texts than in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “modality” in a Sentence
The [modality] of [noun] (e.g., The modality of instruction)[Adjective] modality (e.g., visual modality)Modality in [field] (e.g., Modality in linguistics)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “modality” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The system does not currently modality user input.
- To modality the data streams is our next goal.
American English
- The software is designed to modality different file types.
- We need to modality the approval process.
adverb
British English
- The signal was processed modality.
- The system functions quite modality.
American English
- The data is interpreted modality by the software.
- He argued his point very modality.
adjective
British English
- The modality features of the new scanner are impressive.
- A modality analysis was conducted.
American English
- The modality differences between the two systems are minor.
- We reviewed the modality options available.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in 'communication modalities' or 'training modalities'.
Academic
Very common in linguistics, philosophy, education theory, and medical research.
Everyday
Very rare. Unlikely in casual conversation.
Technical
Core term in linguistics (grammatical modality), medicine (treatment modalities), and education (learning modalities).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “modality”
- Using 'modality' as a fancy synonym for 'method' in inappropriate informal contexts.
- Pronouncing it /ˈmɒdəlɪti/ (like 'model') instead of /məʊˈdæləti/.
- Confusing 'modality' (way/mode) with 'modernity' (being modern).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related. 'Medium' often refers to the material or channel (e.g., paint, television). 'Modality' is broader, referring to the mode, manner, or form of something, and is used in more specialized contexts (e.g., sensory modality, grammatical modality).
It is very uncommon in everyday speech. Using it might sound overly formal or technical. Words like 'method', 'way', or 'form' are preferred in casual contexts.
'Mode' is more general and common. 'Modality' is a more formal, often academic or technical, noun derived from 'mode', frequently used to categorize types within a system (e.g., modes of perception become sensory modalities).
It follows a common stress pattern for words ending in '-ity' (e.g., formality, reality, nationality). The stress falls on the syllable before '-ity', which is '-dal-' in 'modality'.
A particular mode or way in which something exists or is expressed, often relating to methods, forms, or sensory perception.
Modality is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Modality: in British English it is pronounced /məʊˈdæləti/, and in American English it is pronounced /moʊˈdæləti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MODE + -ality. A modality is the quality or state of being a specific mode or method.
Conceptual Metaphor
MODALITY IS A CHANNEL / MODALITY IS A LENS (We perceive/express reality through different modalities).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'modality' LEAST likely to be used?