Startseite Linguistik & Semiotik Whatever the specific circumstances, …: A Construction Grammar perspective of wh-ever clauses in English
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Whatever the specific circumstances, …: A Construction Grammar perspective of wh-ever clauses in English

  • Rahel Oppliger
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Subordination in English
Ein Kapitel aus dem Buch Subordination in English

Abstract

This chapter describes and analyzes a subtype of concessive conditional clauses, wh-ever clauses, within the framework of Construction Grammar. Wh-ever clauses are discussed as constructions with multiple variable slots: a wh-ever connective lexeme, an adjective or noun phrase, and a variable verb slot. The main focus of the analysis is on the variation of the verb form: finite verb forms, deontic modals, and verb ellipses occur with varying frequency depending on the wh-ever connective. In particular, the potential for structural reduction in the use of the verbless form is discussed in the context of Construction Grammar. The examination of wh-ever clauses shows that in addition to these structural characteristics of the verb phrase, the pragmatic scope of wh-ever clauses can be observed to extend to the discourse level. It is argued that wh-ever clause constructions can be described at different levels of specificity within a constructional hierarchy: frequency analyses suggest constructions both at a schematic level - with multiple variable slots - and at a more specific level - with fixed lexical elements.

Abstract

This chapter describes and analyzes a subtype of concessive conditional clauses, wh-ever clauses, within the framework of Construction Grammar. Wh-ever clauses are discussed as constructions with multiple variable slots: a wh-ever connective lexeme, an adjective or noun phrase, and a variable verb slot. The main focus of the analysis is on the variation of the verb form: finite verb forms, deontic modals, and verb ellipses occur with varying frequency depending on the wh-ever connective. In particular, the potential for structural reduction in the use of the verbless form is discussed in the context of Construction Grammar. The examination of wh-ever clauses shows that in addition to these structural characteristics of the verb phrase, the pragmatic scope of wh-ever clauses can be observed to extend to the discourse level. It is argued that wh-ever clause constructions can be described at different levels of specificity within a constructional hierarchy: frequency analyses suggest constructions both at a schematic level - with multiple variable slots - and at a more specific level - with fixed lexical elements.

Kapitel in diesem Buch

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface V
  3. Contents VII
  4. Subordination, or the permanent allure of the “adjacent possible” 1
  5. Part I: Diachronic perspectives on subordination
  6. From flying Sancho to swooning Altisidora: The changing use of premodifying present participles in three English translations of Cervantes’ Don Quijote 25
  7. Because science! Notes on a variable conjunction 43
  8. That-clauses as complements of verbs or nouns 61
  9. Semantic roles as a factor affecting complement choice: a case study with data from COHA 85
  10. Expanding the type you can’t help laughing 103
  11. -Ing clauses in spoken English: structure, usage and recent change 129
  12. Resourceful ways of recruiting members: The origin and development of Mental zero-Secondary Predicate Constructions 155
  13. The rise of long catenative constructions in Modern English: new sub-schemas and new stylistic options 185
  14. Part II: Subordination in Present-day Englishes
  15. Catenative get in World Englishes 211
  16. Adverbial subordination across variety types: A synchronic analysis of the syntax and semantics of since- and while-clauses in ENL, ESL, and EFL 235
  17. Whatever the specific circumstances, …: A Construction Grammar perspective of wh-ever clauses in English 263
  18. A sociolinguistic study of relativizers in spoken Philippines English 285
  19. Subject index 309
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110583571-012

Kapitel in diesem Buch

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface V
  3. Contents VII
  4. Subordination, or the permanent allure of the “adjacent possible” 1
  5. Part I: Diachronic perspectives on subordination
  6. From flying Sancho to swooning Altisidora: The changing use of premodifying present participles in three English translations of Cervantes’ Don Quijote 25
  7. Because science! Notes on a variable conjunction 43
  8. That-clauses as complements of verbs or nouns 61
  9. Semantic roles as a factor affecting complement choice: a case study with data from COHA 85
  10. Expanding the type you can’t help laughing 103
  11. -Ing clauses in spoken English: structure, usage and recent change 129
  12. Resourceful ways of recruiting members: The origin and development of Mental zero-Secondary Predicate Constructions 155
  13. The rise of long catenative constructions in Modern English: new sub-schemas and new stylistic options 185
  14. Part II: Subordination in Present-day Englishes
  15. Catenative get in World Englishes 211
  16. Adverbial subordination across variety types: A synchronic analysis of the syntax and semantics of since- and while-clauses in ENL, ESL, and EFL 235
  17. Whatever the specific circumstances, …: A Construction Grammar perspective of wh-ever clauses in English 263
  18. A sociolinguistic study of relativizers in spoken Philippines English 285
  19. Subject index 309
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Heruntergeladen am 27.9.2025 von https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110583571-012/html
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