Discourse constructions in English: the case of complementary-contrastive constructions

Abstract

The present paper examines a group of constructions at the level of discourse. Such constructions are part of the family of complementary-contrastive constructions in English. These constructions result from the combination of two elements, which despite being apparently contrary, actually complement each other. Using Ronald Langacker's (1987; 1999) notions of meaning base, profile, and active zone, the study addresses the question of the classification of discourse constructions, and analyzes within this constructional family, two specific meaning profiles: constructions that make the second element of the construction more important and constructions that correct or modify the content elements of an utterance, whatever its illocutionary force. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.