Does the level of language learning correlates with the preference of the to-infinitive or the ing-form with German as a first language? We hypothesized that language learners with a higher level prefer using the ing-form. The second question regards a possible correlation between the use of verb forms and semantics. The hypothesis is that to-complements are preferred to ing-complements in sentences with future reference. [...]
Have you ever stumbled over a sentence such as She intends _____ (drive) to her grandma for Christmas, and you were not sure if you should say to drive or driving to her grandma? A similar uncertainty can appear in the following sentences; would you choose the first or second variant?
(1) I hate to go to the camp next week.
I hate going to the camp next week.
(2) I try to make it next week.
I try making it next week.
In this situation, you probably intuitively decide between the to-infinitive or the gerund (ingform) without applying a rule. This phenomenon of the variables of catenative verbs, where the main verb is followed by another submissive verb, could have multiple explanations. It could be influenced by semantics, proficiency level or educational background.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical Background
2.1. Catenative Verbs
2.2. Gerund or to-infinitive
3. Experimental study
3.1. Methodology
3.2. Subjects
3.3. Method
3.4. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives & Themes
This paper investigates the usage preferences of German-speaking learners of English regarding catenative verb constructions, specifically focusing on the choice between the to-infinitive and the gerund (ing-form), while analyzing the influence of language proficiency levels and semantic contexts like future reference.
- Catenative verb structures and non-finite complementation
- Impact of semantic context (future reference vs. non-future) on verb form choice
- Correlation between language proficiency levels (B1-B2 vs. C1-C2) and grammatical preference
- Experimental methodology in second language acquisition research
- Comparison of learner intuitions versus linguistic rules
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. Catenative Verbs
Catenative verbs are verbs that can form a lexical set of verbs: A verb is followed by another subordinated verb (Rizo, 1990: 382). These also can be called non-finite complementation as the second verb form does not indicate tense, person or number (Cambridge Dictionary). According to Rizo (cf. 1990: 382), catenative verb constructions can appear in four different forms:
'bare' infinitive: write an essay
'to'-infinitive: to write an essay
'-ing' form: writing an essay
'-ed' form: written an essay
Mindt (1999: 343) further points out that a catenative verb always occurs with at least one other verb and forms a chain since it cannot appear on its own. The following sentences illustrate the necessity of a second verb using a catenative verb:
He started building a snowman.
*He started a snowman.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the confusion surrounding the use of to-infinitive versus gerund forms and outlines the research hypotheses regarding proficiency and semantics.
2. Theoretical Background: This section defines catenative verbs as non-finite complementations and explains how verb choice can alter the semantic meaning of sentences.
3. Experimental study: This chapter describes the methodology, subjects (intermediate and advanced levels), and the procedure of the online questionnaire conducted to test the hypotheses.
4. Discussion: This chapter interprets the gathered data, confirming that future reference influences the choice of to-infinitives while noting diverging patterns among proficiency groups.
5. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the findings, stating that while the hypotheses were partially verified, the small sample size necessitates further investigation with larger cohorts.
Keywords
Catenative verbs, to-infinitive, gerund, ing-form, language proficiency, second language acquisition, semantics, future reference, empirical linguistics, non-finite complementation, English learners, grammar, verb chains, questionnaire, experimental study
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper examines the grammatical choices made by German-speaking learners of English when selecting between to-infinitive and gerund forms after catenative verbs.
What are the primary themes explored by the authors?
The study explores linguistic theory concerning catenative verbs, the influence of language proficiency levels, and the semantic impact of future reference on grammatical preference.
What is the central research question?
The research asks if the level of language learning correlates with a preference for the to-infinitive or the ing-form and whether future reference in the subclause influences this choice.
Which methodology was employed for this study?
The authors conducted an experimental study using an online questionnaire with ten stimuli (pairs of sentences) presented to two groups of students with different proficiency levels.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical definitions of catenative verbs, the setup and implementation of the experimental questionnaire, the presentation of results, and a critical discussion of these findings.
Which keywords characterize this academic work?
Key terms include catenative verbs, to-infinitive, gerund, language proficiency, second language acquisition, and semantic reference.
How did the proficiency level affect the results for non-future reference sentences?
The study found that intermediate learners had a strong preference for the to-infinitive, whereas advanced learners showed a tendency to prefer the ing-form in these contexts.
What conclusion did the authors reach regarding their second hypothesis?
The second hypothesis, which suggested that to-complements are preferred in sentences with future reference, was verified, though the behavior in non-future sentences showed distinct differences based on proficiency.
Did the participants recognize the nature of the study?
To prevent participants from recognizing the specific phenomenon being tested, the researchers included 25 filler items alongside the actual experimental stimuli.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Stefanie Gerrits (Autor:in), 2021, Is the usage of specific catenative verb constructions influenced by semantics or proficiency?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1294331
