In
linguistics
Linguistics is the science, scientific study of human language. It is called a scientific study because it entails a comprehensive, systematic, objective, and precise analysis of all aspects of language, particularly its nature and structure ...
, a grammatical construction is any
syntactic string of words ranging from
sentences over
phrasal structures to certain complex
lexemes, such as
phrasal verb
In the traditional grammar of Modern English, a phrasal verb typically constitutes a single semantic unit composed of a verb followed by a particle (examples: ''turn down'', ''run into'' or ''sit up''), sometimes combined with a preposition (e ...
s.
Grammatical constructions form the primary unit of study in
construction grammar theories. In construction grammar,
cognitive grammar, and
cognitive linguistics
Cognitive linguistics is an interdisciplinary branch of linguistics, combining knowledge and research from cognitive science, cognitive psychology, neuropsychology and linguistics. Models and theoretical accounts of cognitive linguistics are con ...
, a grammatical construction is a
syntactic template
Template may refer to:
Tools
* Die (manufacturing), used to cut or shape material
* Mold, in a molding process
* Stencil, a pattern or overlay used in graphic arts (drawing, painting, etc.) and sewing to replicate letters, shapes or designs
...
that is paired with conventionalized
semantic and
pragmatic
Pragmatism is a philosophical movement.
Pragmatism or pragmatic may also refer to:
*Pragmaticism, Charles Sanders Peirce's post-1905 branch of philosophy
*Pragmatics, a subfield of linguistics and semiotics
*''Pragmatics'', an academic journal in ...
content. In
generative
Generative may refer to:
* Generative actor, a person who instigates social change
* Generative art, art that has been created using an autonomous system that is frequently, but not necessarily, implemented using a computer
* Generative music, mus ...
frameworks, constructions are generally treated as epiphenomenal, being derived by the general syntactic rules of the language in question.
See also
*
Construction grammar
*
Formal grammar
In formal language theory, a grammar (when the context is not given, often called a formal grammar for clarity) describes how to form strings from a language's alphabet that are valid according to the language's syntax. A grammar does not describe ...
References
*
Ronald W. Langacker, ''Foundations of Cognitive Grammar Volume I'', Stanford University Press, Stanford, California, 1987.
*
Adele E. Goldberg, ''Constructions: A Construction Grammar Approach to Argument Structure'', The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1995.
{{syntax-stub
Syntactic entities
Grammatical construction types