Patterns, constructions and local grammar: a case study of 'evaluation'

Susan Hunston, Hang Su

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)
906 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This article takes as its starting point the analysis of adjective complementation patterns and sets this in the context of other studies of phraseology, especially Construction Grammar. The article proposes that a large number of meaning–pattern combinations can be identified as constructions. This endeavour assists and is assisted by the derivation of a local grammar of evaluation. The grammar is made explicit in 22 ‘Analyses’, grouped into five main categories. It includes discussion around the process of mapping meaning on to pattern, the consideration of borderline cases, and the debate around naming of elements. This contributes to a comparison of different approaches to phraseology, and in particular to the place of Construction Grammar in relation to more output-oriented approaches. Suggestions for the application of this approach to language teaching are offered.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)567-593
Number of pages27
JournalApplied Linguistics
Volume40
Issue number4
Early online date28 Dec 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 Aug 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Communication
  • Language and Linguistics
  • Linguistics and Language

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