The Notional Category of Modality (2012) by Angelika Kratzer explores the semantic category of modality, focusing on how modal expressions function in natural languages. The paper revisits and updates her earlier work, addressing recent developments in modal semantics. It distinguishes between "strong" and "weak" interpretations of epistemic modals, where strong modals commit the speaker to the truth of the proposition, while weak modals are relative to the content of a source of information. The paper also discusses the distinction between root and epistemic modals, noting that root modals depend on inherent properties of events, while epistemic modals depend on evidence. Kratzer argues that modal bases are projected from event arguments, and that modal interpretations are influenced by conversational backgrounds. The paper also addresses graded and comparative notions of possibility, showing how they can emerge from comparative notions in a natural way. It highlights the importance of distinguishing between realistic and informational conversational backgrounds, and discusses the role of stereotypical backgrounds in ranking worlds according to the normal course of events. The paper also explores the relationship between modals and conditionals, noting that conditionals often restrict modals and that complex modalized conditionals may be mistaken for simple conditionals. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for a unified analysis of modality that accounts for the variability and indeterminacy of both modals and conditionals.The Notional Category of Modality (2012) by Angelika Kratzer explores the semantic category of modality, focusing on how modal expressions function in natural languages. The paper revisits and updates her earlier work, addressing recent developments in modal semantics. It distinguishes between "strong" and "weak" interpretations of epistemic modals, where strong modals commit the speaker to the truth of the proposition, while weak modals are relative to the content of a source of information. The paper also discusses the distinction between root and epistemic modals, noting that root modals depend on inherent properties of events, while epistemic modals depend on evidence. Kratzer argues that modal bases are projected from event arguments, and that modal interpretations are influenced by conversational backgrounds. The paper also addresses graded and comparative notions of possibility, showing how they can emerge from comparative notions in a natural way. It highlights the importance of distinguishing between realistic and informational conversational backgrounds, and discusses the role of stereotypical backgrounds in ranking worlds according to the normal course of events. The paper also explores the relationship between modals and conditionals, noting that conditionals often restrict modals and that complex modalized conditionals may be mistaken for simple conditionals. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for a unified analysis of modality that accounts for the variability and indeterminacy of both modals and conditionals.