Abstract
This article aims to classify the overall uses of high-frequency English verbs in a novel methodology from both a pattern and meaning perspective, which has not be done in previous studies, with special reference to TAKE and MAKE. In the pattern-based analysis, all occurrences of these two verbs were collected from Japanese EFL textbook corpus, and the usage patterns of the extracted two target verbs were categorized into three major multi-word expression types: phrasal verbs, grammatical collocations, and lexical collocations. To further investigate the patterns of uses, some multi-word units consisting of three to seven words were identified as either semi-fixed expressions or fixed expressions. After the pattern-based classification, all the multi-word expressions identified were analyzed from a semantic perspective. This analysis revealed the new finding that all uses of TAKE (352) and MAKE (374) obtained from the corpus could be successfully classified into the three major multi-word expression categories. With respect to the pattern, the proportion of major multi-word expression categories showed similar results; lexical collocations were the most frequent, and phrasal verbs were the least frequent in both target verbs’ usage. In terms of meanings, the uses of TAKE were classified in a larger number of semantic categories (42) than MAKE (25). The obtained results have an implication that the novel methodology employed in this study is a valid way to the further investigation of the usage of high-frequency English verbs.
Highlights
BackgroundThe acquisition of high-frequency words plays an essential role in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning (Hoshino, 2016; Tono, 2015)
In the pattern-based analysis, all occurrences of these two verbs were collected from Japanese EFL textbook corpus, and the usage patterns of the extracted two target verbs were categorized into three major multi-word expression types: phrasal verbs, grammatical collocations, and lexical collocations
By following the procedure explained in the previous section, all of the uses of TAKE and MAKE found in Japanese EFL textbook corpus (JEFLTC) were successfully categorized into three major types of multiword expressions: phrasal verbs, grammatical collocations, and lexical collocations (Table 2)
Summary
The acquisition of high-frequency words plays an essential role in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning (Hoshino, 2016; Tono, 2015). High-frequency words, including these high-frequency verbs, are usually introduced to EFL learners in the early stage of learning. Even advanced EFL learners have difficulty utilizing high-frequency verbs (Altenberg & Granger, 2001). What makes it difficult for EFL learners to understand and use high-frequency verbs is the polysemous nature of these verbs. Altenberg and Granger (2001) point out that the high degree of polysemy is caused by two types of meaning extension; one is grammatical or delexicalized uses (e.g., take a walk, make an announcement) and the other is language-specific collocations or idiomatic uses (e.g., take it easy, make ends meet) What makes it difficult for EFL learners to understand and use high-frequency verbs is the polysemous nature of these verbs. Altenberg and Granger (2001) point out that the high degree of polysemy is caused by two types of meaning extension; one is grammatical or delexicalized uses (e.g., take a walk, make an announcement) and the other is language-specific collocations or idiomatic uses (e.g., take it easy, make ends meet)
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