The verbal expression of prediction in economics: A diachronic corpus analysis of English and Italian across the twentieth century

This chapter presents a diachronic, corpus-based analysis of modal and lexical verbs used in economic predictions across twentieth-century English and Italian academic texts. Focusing on their frequency, distribution, and epistemic function, the study reveals cross-linguistic and temporal patterns in how economists express prediction, possibility, and obligation. It also provides evidence in support of previous observations concerning modality and the epistemic status of modal and predictive verbs. The data indicate a strong preference for verbs and modalities with high epistemic strength, while speculative or informal lexical verbs are systematically avoided. Diachronic trends highlight a growing assertiveness in English economic discourse and a slightly more variable pattern in Italian, with hypotheses appearing far more prominent than predictions.