Incremental qualification¶
English progressively constrains or specifies a proposition by adding layers.
Adjuncts types and their semantic relations¶
Adjunct type |
Useful technical wording |
Example |
|---|---|---|
Degree |
modifies / specifies degree |
completely [destroyed] |
Duration |
specifies the duration of the situation |
worked [for two hours] |
Evaluative |
evaluates the proposition / situation |
fortunately [she left] |
Focus |
takes scope over / has scope over |
only [just entered] |
Frequency |
quantifies over occurrences / specifies frequency |
often [visits us] |
Instrument |
specifies the instrument used |
opened it [with a key] |
Manner |
characterises the manner of the event |
spoke [quietly] |
Modal / stance |
scopes over / qualifies the proposition |
probably [she left] |
Place |
locates the situation in space |
worked [at home] |
Purpose |
specifies the purpose |
left early [to catch the train] |
Reason |
specifies the reason / cause |
left [because of the noise] |
Speech-act |
modifies / comments on the speech act |
frankly [I disagree] |
Temporal |
locates / situates the situation in time |
yesterday [she left] |