Grammatical and functional characteristics of preposition-based phrase frames in English argumentative essays by L1 English and Spanish speakers

Abstract

This study investigates recurrent discontinuous multiword sequences, or phrase frames, of the pattern preposition + the * of in English argumentative essays authored by L1 English and L1 Spanish speakers. This pattern of phrase frames is important as it comprises prepositional phrases which are a conspicuous feature of grammatical complexity in academic writing. The target frames are analyzed through the lens of grammatical complexity and discourse function, while also exploring trends in frequency and accuracy. The principal finding is that both L1 groups often used the target frames to serve as a textual bridge within sentences, with the frames usually fulfilling an adverbial or post modifying function while simultaneously identifying an intangible quality or marking a procedure or process of a following noun phrase. The major difference between the two L1 groups is that the L1 English speakers used the frames for postnominal modification and an intangible framing discourse function at higher rates than the L1 Spanish speakers. This was particularly evident with the frame on the * of. Finally, more errors with the definite article and prepositions were identified among the L1 Spanish group, suggesting that instruction of the target frames could be a worthwhile pedagogical endeavor.