ABSTRACT
The comprehension of an event can occur in two stages. The first stage is spontaneous and automatic, and occurs whenever the event can be easily understood in terms of concepts and knowledge that comes easily to mind at the time. It is difficult to observe a boy pounding a nail into a piece of wood, or to see a book lying on a table, without comprehending this experience. It is equally difficult to read descriptions of these events without comprehending them. For example, try not to understand “The boy pounded a nail into a piece of wood,” or “the book is on the table.” For a native English speaker, the comprehension of such statements is spontaneous and virtually uncontrollable.
