The Distribution and Function of Virtual Reflexive Constructions in English

This paper sheds new light on the distributional and functional properties of virtual reflexive constructions (VRCs) in English (e.g., problem solves ITSELF ). VRCs describe level ease involved performing action denoted by verb. They typically involve metaphorical interpretations, are compatible with adverbs such as virtually , obtain a primary stress pronoun object. Two claims presented this paper: first, subject can be regarded crucial contributing factor (i.e., an essential causal relation). analysis explains interpretations VRCs, their compatibility emphasis placed Second, act anticausativizing causative verbs no anticausative alternants via metaphor. Namely, express situations. Causative that alternate intransitive break open melt ) tend to prefer usage when describing situations vase broke because anticausatives simpler form less marked than VRCs. On other hand, alternant write sell more likely occur In words, enable these is supported corpus-based investigation.