The Classification of Words
теор грамматика
| A + N
|
76 |
40 |
9.5 |
93.1 | |
|
95.3 | |||||
|
VI -f A |
14 |
48 |
81 |
6.9 |
— |
|
Vn + P N + A |
3- |
8 |
— |
|
— |
|
Others |
7 |
4 |
9.5 |
|
4.7 |
|
|
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
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Note. The literary texts analysed contain 6.000
adjectives.
As seen from the table, the only pattern in which words of all grammemes have occurred in our texts in A + N. However, the analytical form of the 'comparative' gram-meme but seldom occurs in this model. Likewise, words of the 'superlative' grammeme (both synthetic and analytical) are found rarely, if at all, in another typica!4 adjectival pattern, VI + A.
§ 113. In certain speech environments adjectives can be used .to communicate meanings in some respect different from those of the grammemes they belong to.
In the combination as brave as the word brave loses the absolute nature of the meaning of the 'positive' grammeme. It is used to express relative bravery. Cf. as brave as a hare. In certain combinations brave can be used to express even the highest degree of the quality. Among them there was none so brave as John =- John was the bravest man among them. Similarly the 'comparative degree' grammeme may sometimes be synonymous to the 'superlative' grammeme.
E. g. There was no man in the village wiser and kinder that old Chou. She was brighter than the rest of their children.
A 'superlative degree' adjective sometimes occurs in speech with an absolute meaning, it shows a very high degree of some quality regardless of the amount of the same property in other objects. When so employed it is said to be used in its e 1 a t i v e meaning.
E.g. He painted her ingratitude in the b I acke st colours. (Maugham).
The room was furnished in the most refined style. (Ib.).
Elative 'superlatives' lend force and expressiveness to speech.
§ 114. Under ordinary conditions, the synthetic and analytical forms of comparison are, as we know, in complementary distribution. But when emphasis is intended, the analytical forms are sometimes used instead of the synthetic ones.
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