On the semantics of the structure Estar para + infinitive in European Portuguese: from aspect to modality

Abstract

In contrast to most aspectual operators whose meaning remains unchanged regardless of their context of occurrence, the structure estar para + infinitive reveals a great deal of variability in this respect. Thus, in addition to the primary prospective aspect value, this construction also conveys modal meanings that can express uncertainty, counterfactuality, or volition/intention. Factors such as the tenses in which the sentence appears (in particular, the pretérito imperfeito (past imperfect) and the pretérito perfeito (terminative past tense)) and the presence of sentential negation contribute decisively to bringing about this kind of variation. However, there seems to be a shared semantic profile underlying the construction estar para + infinitive, namely the presence of a stative predication that induces a prospective projection.