ABSTRACT
Specific structures or forms in a language are used as tools to carry out certain functions (that is, to express certain meanings or accomplish certain purposes). For example, consider sentence 1 below (adapted from Gagnon 1987: 65), which we saw in Chapter 1 (see Chapter 1 as well):
I should point out, as is clear already in any case, that it is no easy matter to put these patterns into words. As we will see below, such patterns are really a matter, in many cases, of unconscious reco8nition, rather than of conscious thought. Furthermore, some features in a pattern are always present, while some are present in some cases and not in others (e.g., note our "perhaps with colored trim" above) .
