Phrasal verb vs. Simplex pairs in legal-lay discourse: the Late Modern English period in focus

Abstract The present paper attempts to describe the divergences between nearly synonymous phrasal verb/simplex pairs from court trials dating back Late Modern English period (LModE). intention was evaluate effects that each verb form might exert in discourse, interpreting lexical choice as functionally linked contents of legal-lay is discourse lay people and professionals courtroom (Heffer 2005: xv). Research date has highlighted how one or another needs be explained terms register degree expressiveness (Bolinger 1971: 172; McArthur 1989: 40; Hiltunen 1999: 161; Claridge 2000: 221). However, no studies have yet evaluated difference verbs simplexes a phraseological perspective, reflected on their use communicative settings. study conducted English-Old Bailey Corpus (LModE-OBC), self-compiled corpus covers century 1750–1850 includes selection drawn Proceedings Old , London’s Central Criminal Court.