TASK 4

1. Give an example of the incredulity response construction.

Her come on time?!

2. What are the semantic/pragmatic properties of the incredulity response construction?

The clause refers to a situation already mentioned in discourse and dismisses it as absurd

3. What are the three formal properties of the incredulity response construction?
a) Typically preceded by an exclamation of surprise and followed by a remark emphasising
the absurdity of the proposition,
b) Distinctive syntax: oblique subject nominal combines with ungrounded verb phrase.
4. Give an example of the One more X and Y construction.
One more word and I won’t speak to you again.
5. Give an example of the WAY construction.
He sang his way into our hearts.
6. How is the conjunction ‘and’ in the One more X and Y construction different from its regular
use?
It joins a nominal and a clause and functions as a subordinating conjunction whereas in its
regular use, the conjunction “and” is used to connect words, phrases, or clauses of the same
type or function.