M. A. I english P. C3 & C6 Modern Linguistics title pmd

2.1.3 Austin’s Typology of Speech Acts
Austin went on to further classify utterances into Verdictives, Exercitives, 
Commissives, Behabitives and Expositives on the basis of their illocutionary force. 
Each of them makes use of specific Performative verbs.
a) 
Verdictives : 
They include utterances that pass a verdict say by a jury, arbitrator or 
umpire.
 
Paradigm cases: Convicting, sentencing, ranking and grading.
 
Example: “Out” uttered by an umpire or “I sentence you to 5 years in prison”
uttered by a judge.
b) 
Exercitives : 
They are speech acts that exercise powers, rights or influence.
 
Paradigm cases: Appointing, voting, ordering, and advising.
 
Example: I christen this ship the Queen.
c) 
Commissives :
They create an obligation to a future course of action.
 
Paradigm cases: Promising, vowing.
 
Example: I promise to help you tomorrow.
d) 
Behabitives :
They are a miscellaneous group, and have to do with attitudes and ‘social 
behavior’.

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 
Paradigm 
cases:Apologizing, 
congratulating, 
cursing, 
commending,
challenging, requesting, etc. 
 
Example: I congratulate you on your victory. 
e) 
Expositives :
Expositives are acts related to the expression of views, arguments, and 
references.
 
Paradigm cases: Illustrating, assuming, replying, arguing etc.
However, Austin’s classification of Speech Acts according to their 
illocutionary force is not clear-cut or mutually exclusive. They are overlapping. 
Verdictives may have the dimension of Exercitives as declaring the accused guilty 
and also show the exercising of the power or authority of the judge. Exercitives like 
declaring war also commits the speaker to future responsibility. Regarding 
Behabitives ‘to approve’ may be an exercise of authority or a reaction to behaviour. 
Expositives such as swearing, accepting, agreeing also may be cited as examples 
of commissives.