A clause-relational approach to English texts: A study of some predictive lexical items in written discourse

Abstract

This paper re-examines the linguistic basis for the distinction between two kinds of word: open-system words and closed-system words. Specifically, it looks at a class of traditionally open-system words — lexical items like nouns, verbs and adjectives — and suggests that they can function as exponents of a clause relation, and as such can have a predictive effect on the organisation of written discourse. This class of words is contrasted with two other, established, means of text organisation, the subordinators and the sentence connectors. Four criteria are presented to support the delimitation of this class. Finally, the implications of this class of words are considered for a linguistic theory of reference.