Why Weaken But Not *Strongen? On Deadjectival Verbs

Kjellmer, Göran

English Studies 2001 82 (2)154-171
(ReLIS:jul:juljig:y:2001:v:82:i:2:p:154-171)

Abstract:

A recent help-wanted advertisement in a newspaper sought ‘a counselor to help embiggen the lives and possibilities of the developmentally disabled’. The verb embiggen is not to be found in modern dictionaries, and yet its meaning is quite clear, viz. ‘make big(ger)’. There are patterns according to which we interpret it, represented by e.g. embolden ‘make bold(er)’ or enlighten ‘make light(er)’, and also by enlarge ‘make large(r)’ and harden ‘make hard(er)’. An adjective often operates in a verbal function by being included in a verb phrase. Such verb phrases are: be/become/go/grow/get/turn ADJ, or make/render sb/sth ADJ, or cause sb/sth to be ADJ.

Keywords: Inglés ; Verbos
Pages: 154-171
Volume: 82
Year: 2001
Issue: 2

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