ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the non-categorical variability between anterior and simultaneous finite that-clauses and non-finite -ing clauses following the verb regret in seven varieties of English, using data from the 1.9-billion-word Corpus of Global Web-Based English (GloWbE). Multidimensional aggregational analyses and random forest analyses are used to determine the extra-linguistic factors that account for the similarities and differences between English varieties in the frequencies of use of complementation patterns, plus the intra-linguistic factors, both semantic and syntactic, affecting such choices. Results reveal that the principle of maximization of transparency, with an increased preference for finite patterns in postcolonial varieties, seems to be behind the distribution of finite and non-finite patterns in these varieties. The geographical proximity of some of the varieties and their individual evolutionary development appear to be very notable factors for the complementation systems, as are the intra-linguistic factors considered. Substrate influence is also considered in the discussion, but the results do not confirm its effect on the alternation.
