Interaction and Grammar: Predicative Adjective Constructions in English Conversation

This article studies the function of Copular Predicate Constructions in everyday English conversation. We compare predicate adjective constructions (PA) and with a nominal containing an (PAN). ask whether attributive or presence noun PAN leads to difference two constructions. propose that most cases determines construction, leading many parallels usage between PA A comparison (PN), contrast, shows not including different set meanings implications. The conversational these provides evidence for partial correspondence form function: often constitute complete turn conversation, if full turn, their own prosodic units. Other properties constructions—the definiteness NP absence N—correspond interactional work. all three plays determining role, despite differences syntactic configuration.