Exercises On Semantics

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AUTHOR "Laurel
BOOKMARK
"1.
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"6.
"Table
"Preface">
English
The
Grammatical
Lexical
J. of
Brinton"
Nature
Internal
Contents">
Semantics">
Consonants
Phonology,
of
Categories
Structure
Language
Phonotactics,
andofand
Vowels">
and
Words
Word
Linguistics">
and
and
Classes">
Suprasegmentals">
Processes of Word Formation in English">
TITLE "Chapter 6. Lexical Semantics"
SUBJECT "The Structure of Modern English"
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Chapter 6
Lexical Semantics
Exercise 6.1: Traditional Semantics
1. Consult a number of dictionaries on the meaning of the word hero.

Then consider the meaning of the word in contemporary usage (in
magazines, newspapers, and casual conversation). Does the dictionary
meaning reect the current meaning, or would you say that the meaning has changed and that dictionaries have not kept pace with this
change?
2. For the following words, explain the background or contextual information which is necessary to understand the meaning of the word.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
reconcile
generous
procrastinate
patient
reputation
3. Discuss the following expressions in respect to the concepts of extention and intension:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the instructor of Linguistics 101

the day before yesterday
the capital of Brazil
Exercise 6.1
Workbook, Page 106
Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

John Benjamins Publishing Company
Exercise 6.2: Basic Semantic Concepts
1. For the following words, list as many synonyms as you can think of and
discuss the connotations that these synonyms have.
(a)
(b)
frugal
thin (of a person)
2. Fill in the columns below with the appropriate synonym. In each case,
the word in column A is of English origin and the word in column B is
of French or Latin origin. Can you make a general statement about the
connotations of the words in columns A and B?
A
feed
____________
____________
begin
____________
mistake
____________
____________
middle
____________
B
____________
conceal
people
____________
aid/assist
____________
labor
vision
____________
altitude
3. Describe the semantic relationship expressed by each of the following

sentences.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
Im allergic to nuts. There are walnuts in the cookies.

Flight 2048 arrives and departs at 8:00 a.m.
George is a pig.
That is a large bat.
I appreciate your help. You helped me.
That is a well-known club.
My brother married a doctor. My male sibling joined in
wedlock with a physician.
In walked the corpse.
The corpse is alive.
Professor Mulhausen went to his oce. Professor Mulhausen
Exercise 6.2
Workbook, Page 107

went to the university.

(k) He cleaned the keys of the piano.
(l) They have a love-hate relationship.
(m) The escaping convict accidentally assassinated the guard.
(n) Jane ate a piece of chicken. Jane ate a piece of poultry.
(o) My husband is living. I am a widow.
(p) She stepped on an idea.
(q) Edith amused the salad.
(r) My brother is an only child.
(s) He unintentionally committed perjury.
(t) She wore a colorless pink dress.
(u) He dusted the plants.
(v) Othello killed Desdemona. Desdemona died.
(w) He descended from the ground oor to the attic.
4. Determine whether the following are cases of homophony or polysemy.
(a)
ne
(b) bank
(c)
monitor
(d) tattoo
(e)
school
(f)
leech
(g) horn
(h) ear
(i)
spell
Exercise 6.2
Workbook, Page 108
superior in quality
a sum of money paid as a penalty
an incline of land adjoining a river
a nancial institution
a pupil who assists a teacher
a device that receives video signals from a computer
a permanent design on the skin
a military exercise
an institution for instruction
a large group of sh
a bloodsucking worm
a physician
a hanger-on, a sycophant
a structure projecting from the head of an animal
a musical instrument
the organ for hearing
the seed-bearing spike of a cereal plant
to name or write the order of the letters in a word
a magical formula
a period of time
(j)
butt
(k) pilot
to hit with the head

a target (for jokes)
the larger or thicker end of an object
one who operates an aircraft or ship
a television program produced as a prototype of a
series
5. Say what is presupposed by each of the following sentences.

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Is Frank playing that loud music?

What I want for my birthday is a new computer.
Alistair didnt go to work today.
Grace stopped playing the piano several years ago.
When did Tara go back to school?
Sally renewed her subscription to People magazine.
6. Which of the following are factive and which nonfactive?

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
John criticized Mark for not working hard enough.

John acknowledged that Mark was not working hard enough.
I was hoping that the game was cancelled.
It turns out that the game was cancelled.
The student forgot that the assignment was due today.
The student assumed that the assignment was due today.
Its nice that you could get away.
Its nice to get away.
I realized that he had stolen the money.
I suspected that he had stolen the money.
Exercise 6.2
Workbook, Page 109

Exercise 6.3: Structural Semantics
1. Identify the superordinate term in each set.

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
house, shed, building, garage, cottage, hut

plate, saucer, cup, soup bowl, dish, serving bowl
stream, river, rivulet, creek, brook, tributary
glance, peep, stare, leer, look (at), view, watch
hurricane, tornado, gale, storm, typhoon
2. Identify the relationship of oppositeness expressed in the following

sentences.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
The window pane is open, but it should be shut.

This class is better than last years class.
This painting is similar to that one.
He pushed the lever forwards instead of backwards.
This plant was sick, but now its healthy.
My poor relatives envy my rich relatives.
Western Bank merged with Eastern Bank.
It is better to give than to receive.
3. Below is one member of a set of scalar adjectives. Identify the other

member of the set; if an alternative member exists (in a dierent
context), list that as well.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
hard
strong
short
happy
light
cheap
4. Give the end-of-scale equivalents for these normal scalar adjectives

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
tired
wet
poor
sad
hot
Exercise 6.3
Workbook, Page 110

5. Name the structural relation expressed by each of the following pairs of

words.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
(m)
casual/informal
parent/ospring
university/college
right/wrong
right/left
odd/even
odd/unusual
bring/take
rude/polite
wind/breeze
moist/damp
present/absent
fair/foul (ball)
(n)
(o)
(p)
(q)
(r)
(s)
(t)
(u)
(v)
(w)
(x)
(y)
intelligent/smart
employ/use
mathematics/history
glass/tumbler
doctor/patient
own/belong to
ancestor/descendant
predator/prey
benefactor/donor
enter/leave
rise/fall
dress/undress
6. Identify whether the following pairs are examples of antonymy or

complementary. Are these concepts gradable?
(a)
(b)
(c)
clean/dirty
drunk/sober
fresh/stale
Exercise 6.3
Workbook, Page 111

Exercise 6.4: Semantic Fields
Related to the concept of hyponymy, but more loosely dened, is the

notion of a semantic eld or domain. A semantic eld denotes a segment
of reality symbolized by a set of related words. The words in a semantic
eld share a common semantic property. Most often, elds are dened by
subject matter, such as body parts, landforms, diseases, colors, foods, or
kinship relations. Internally, these may be organized hierarchically (e.g.,
royalty, military ranks), part to whole (e.g., body parts), sequentially (e.g.,
numbers), or cyclically (e.g., days of the week, months of the year), as well
as with no discernible order. A thesaurus is generally organized according
to substantive elds (although it also makes use of hyponymy and synonymy).
The words which are part of a semantic eld enter into sense or meaning relationships with one another. Each word delimits the meaning of the
next word in the eld and is delimited by it; that is, it marks o an area or
range within the semantic domain. However, there may be a fair amount of
overlap in meaning between words in a domain, and it is often dicult to
nd mutually delimiting terms. Within a domain, some words are marked,
while some are unmarked; the unmarked members are more frequent,
more basic, broader in meaning, easier to learn and remember, not metaphorical, and typically one morpheme or single lexical item. The marked
members often consist of more than one lexical item and may denote a
subtype of the unmarked member.
Lets consider some examples of semantic elds. The eld of parts of
the face (see the table below, part a) is a substantive eld of part to whole.
Terms within the eld are arranged spatially and quite clearly delimited,
though there is some overlap between terms such as forehead and temple.
Terms such as bridge of the nose or eyelids would constitute marked members of the eld. The eld of stages of life (see b) is arranged sequentially,
though there is considerable overlap between terms (e.g., child, toddler) as
well as some apparent gaps (e.g., there are no simple terms for the dierent
stages of adulthood). Note that a term such a minor or juvenile belongs to
a technical register, a term such as kid or tot to a colloquial register, and a
term such as sexagenarian or octogenarian to a more formal register. The
semantic eld of water (see c) could be divided into a number of subelds; in addition, there would appear to be a great deal of overlap between
terms such as sound/fjord or cove/harbor/bay. The semantic eld of clothing
Exercise 6.4
Workbook, Page 112

(see d) is a particularly rich one, with many unmarked terms (such as dress
or pants) as well as many marked terms (such as pedal-pushers or smoking
jacket). The eld of clothing might be organized in many dierent ways
by sex of wearer, by occasion of wearing, by body part covered, and so on.
Finally, the eld of jewelry (see e) would seem to include quite welldelimited terms, with a number of unmarked terms.
Examples of Semantic Fields: (a) Parts of the Face, (b) Stages of Life, (c)
Water, (d) Clothing, and (e) Jewelry
(a) parts of the face
forehead
nose
septum
eyes
chin
brow
nostrils
mouth
eyebrows
cheeks
(b) stages of life

new-born
infant
nursling, suckling
baby, babe
child, kid
toddler, tot
preschooler
youngster
adolescent
youth
lad/lass
preteen
teenager, teen
juvenile, minor
temples
bridge/tip of the nose
lips
eyelids
eyelashes
jaw
jowls
young adult
adult
grown up person
middle aged person
senior citizen
mature person
aged person
senior citizen, senior
old {lady, man, person}
sexagenarian
septuagenarian
octogenarian
nonagenarian
centenarian
(c) water
forms: ice, water, steam, vapor, sleet, rain, snow, hail
bodies of water: ditch, slough, swamp, narrows, strait, inlet, bight,
bayou, brine, deep, rth, loch, tarn, well, reservoir, rth, pool, sea,
ocean, lake, pond, bay, inlet, estuary, fjord, sound, gulf, lagoon,
Exercise 6.4
Workbook, Page 113

cove, harbor
water in motion: creek, river, waves, billows, stream, rain, brook,
rivulet, tributary, spring
frozen water: ice, snow, crystal, sleet, hail, icicle, iceberg, rime,
hoarfrost, glacier
gas: vapor, steam
(d) clothing
dress (cocktail-, strapless-,
shirtwaist-)
toga
shift
jumpsuit
suit
vest
pajamas
bathrobe
tee-shirt
undershirt
turtleneck
shorts
knickers
culottes
skirt
underwear
panties
hat
cap
toque
scarf
belt
tie
socks
tights
gloves
mittens
shawl
cape
jacket
sweater
(e) jewelry
ring
watch
pin
crown
cuinks
gown (evening-, ball-)
parka
pullover
jumper
smock
pantsuit
sports coat
nightgown
smoking jacket
shirt
blouse
pants/slacks
trousers
cut-os
skorts
peddle-pushers bloomers
brassire
girdle
beret
tam
headband
earmus
suspenders
gaiters, spats
pantyhose
stockings
mu
muer
coat (sports-, rain-, over-, top-,
lab-)
wind-breaker
anorak
cardigan
apron
earring
wristwatch
pendant
tiara
stick-pin
nose-ring
pocket-watch
necklace
bracelet
tie-clasp
brooch
stud
choker
anklet
belt buckle
Now try to list the possible members of the following semantic elds:
1. vocalization
Exercise 6.4
Workbook, Page 114

2. types of roads
3. personality traits
Exercise 6.4
Workbook, Page 115

Exercise 6.5: Semantic Features (Nouns)
1. Using the inherent features of nouns discussed in the chapter, analyze

the underlined noun in each of the following sentences:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
(m)
(n)
(o)
(p)
(q)
(r)
(s)
(t)
Have you made plans for tonight?

He had the u last week.
The group made its way through the forest.
He has a very healthy appetite.
We have managed to stay within our budget.
She spilled the coee grounds on the oor.
Have you any grounds for making such a claim?
After the long boat trip, it felt good to stand on solid ground.
Do you like seafood?
My grandparents are coming for visit.
A herd of caribou crossed the road.
Our vacation begins next week.
She has symptoms of the u.
You should take responsibility for the planning.
The scenery here is so beautiful.
Where is the receiver?
My clothes need to ironed.
The doctor prescribed bed rest.
The scissors are missing.
Are there any requirements for this course?
2. Give two dierent feature analyses for each of the following.

(a)
(b)
bank
response
Exercise 6.5
Workbook, Page 116

Exercise 6.6: Semantic Features (Verbs)
1. Analyze the predicates in the following sentences using the inherent

verbal features [STATIVE] [DURATIVE] [TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
(m)
(n)
(o)
(p)
(q)
(r)
(s)
The skaters are practicing.

She skated around the rink.
She skates gracefully.
She bumped into another skater.
He polished her skates for her.
Pam has a cold.
Pam recently recovered from her illness.
Pam caught a cold last week.
Pam was coughing loudly.
Pam cured herself with large doses of vitamin C.
Charles and Julia got married yesterday.
The ceremony lasted an hour.
They have been engaged a long time.
Julias mother was crying.
He studied for the test.
The test began at 9:00.
While studying, he drank lots of coee.
He is happy with the results.
After the exam, he got drunk.
2. Often the same verb can denote a number of dierent situations. Below
are verbs used in several dierent ways. Analyze using the four inherent
features of verbs.
(a)
HEAR
(b)
LIE
Exercise 6.6
Workbook, Page 117
I heard a strange noise.

I hear well.
I heard a Mozart symphony last night.
I hear the waves.
The book is lying on the desk.
He is lying on the bed.
Then he lay down.

(c)
HELP
(d)
IDENTIFY
(e)
DRESS
(f)
SINK
(g)
REGRET
(h)
TASTE
She is helping him.

She is helping him wash the car.
He nally identied the insect.
She identies with her idol.
She dresses well.
It took ten minutes for her to dress.
The house is sinking.
The ship is sinking
She regrets her words.
She regretted it as soon as she said it.
The dinner tastes good.
He bent over and tasted the soup.
Then he tasted the mint in the drink.
3. Answer the following using the verb play.

(a)
(b)
(c)
(i)
Give a sentence of the form N V ( N) which is an

activity.
(ii)
Give a sentence of the form N V PP which is an
activity.
(iii)
Give a sentence of the form N V Prt which is an
activity.
(i)
Give a sentence of the form N V N [+COUNT]
[+SINGULAR] which is an accomplishment.
(ii)
Give a sentence of the form N V N [+COUNT]
[+PLURAL] which is an accomplishment.
(iii)
Give a sentence of the form N V PP [COUNT]
[+PLURAL] which is an accomplishment.
Give a sentence of the form N V N [COUNT] which is an
activity.
4. Answer the questions in (3) in respect to the verb read.
Exercise 6.6
Workbook, Page 118

Exercise 6.7: Modal Auxiliaries
1. Determine whether the following sentences with modal expressions, in

normal readings, have deontic or epistemic meaning or are ambiguous:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
(m)
(n)
(o)
(p)
(q)
(r)
(s)
(t)
(u)
(v)
I must be getting sick.

You may be pregnant.
Nitric acid will dissolve zinc.
John must leave now.
He can miss the class.
You could clean your room.
He must have passed the examination.
You might have fallen,
Cocktail parties can be boring.
She could be discouraged.
I will marry her.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
You cant be serious.
Harris has to retire next year.
He might try a bit harder to pass the course.
She can be very obstinate.
Guests may not use their cellular phones in the restaurant.
Only experts can advance to the next stage of the competition.
She must be careful with her money.
Grant is in New York now, I guess.
The movie shouldnt be violent.
The revised paper could be better.
2. For the following, say whether the modal or the main verb is negated.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
You mustnt say a thing.

She doesnt have to resit the examination.
I cant reach the upper shelf.
I wont interfere.
Exercise 6.7
Workbook, Page 119

Exercise 6.8: Prototypes
For the concept of furniture, list the core, or prototypical, members and the
peripheral members. Justify your distinction between core and periphery.
What are the dening characteristics of this concept?
Exercise 6.8
Workbook, Page 120

Exercise 6.9: Figurative Language
1. Give the selectional restrictions for the following words:

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
study
surprise
slither
invest
2. Identify the type of gurative expression in each of the following:

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
(m)
(n)
(o)
(p)
(q)
(r)
(s)
(t)
(u)
(v)
(w)
(x)
(y)
(z)
(aa)
a smooth wine
an autobiography of her life
passive aggressive
wildlife management
Orders are orders.
an endowed chair
a hard-hitting report
the paper
a loud color
a new initiative
The pen is mightier than the sword.
a new set of wheels
Death, thou shalt die. (John Donne)
a hot topic
the hands of a clock
blood, sweat, and tears
an on-o relationship
The trac is crawling.
search ones soul
Enough is enough.
room and board
live on borrowed time
table linen
an aide
The law is the law.
be under the weather
sell for money
Exercise 6.9
Workbook, Page 121

</TARGET "ch6">
(bb)
(cc)
(dd)
(ee)
circumnavigate around
working vacation
close proximity
extinct life
3. Explain what is wrong with each of the following expressions using

semantic features and the notion of selectional restrictions.
Example: a fatherless orphan
Answer: fatherless has the feature [FATHER], while orphan also has the
feature [FATHER]; thus, this expression is tautological.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
pregnant pause
eloquent silence
misery loves company
bitter reproach
joint partnership
4. State the principle upon which each of the following metaphors is

based. (Do not simply paraphrase the metaphors.)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Thats food for thought.

He is a giant among lm directors.
Let me put in my two cents worth.
She is a member of the upper class.
His health is declining.
His mood is down/depressed.
5. Give a focus and vehicle interpretation of the following metaphors.

(a)
(b)
(c)
My thoughts are ripe in mischief. (Shakespeare)

But ye lovers that bathen in gladnesse. (Chaucer)
That time of year thou mayst in me behold / When yellow
leaves, or none, or few, do hang / Upon the boughs
(Shakespeare)
Exercise 6.9
Workbook, Page 122

Answer to Exercise 6.1
1. A hero is generally dened as a person who exhibits extraordinary

bravery or greatness of soul and who is admired for his or her achievements and noble qualities. Furthermore, this bravery is usually in the
face of danger and is seless.
Does this denition seem to coincide with the use of the word in
contexts such as sports hero? How would the denition need to be
modied?
2. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
3. (a)
(b)
reconcile: once there was a friendly relationship between two or

more parties; something happened to create a rift or distancing;
now this rift has healed (through some action of the parties) and
they are once more close.
generous: describes a person who is willing to give or share; this
giving or sharing is perhaps above the norm of what is expected;
this quality is considered a virtue or a sign of nobility of character.
procrastinate: describes the tendency to put o something or
delay in doing something; the thing delayed is unpleasant in some
way but is deemed necessary or is expected; procrastination is
often habitual and is seen as resulting from carelessness or laziness; hence, procrastinating is judged negatively or is seen as a
character defect.
patient: describes the quality of enduring or bearing something
with equanimity or calmness; this something is unpleasant (pain,
diculty, deprivation, etc.) but unavoidable; patience is seen as a
positive characteristic, a virtue.
reputation: describes the quality of being well (or ill) thought of;
this recognition must be generally acknowledged and must be the
result of actions over an extended period of time.
The phrase the instructor of Linguistics 101 has a single intension, but dierent extensions, as dierent people may teach this
course from year to year or even in any given year.
The phrase the day before yesterday has a single intension as
well, but the actual day referred to diers depending upon which

Workbook, Page 123

(c)
day this phrase is spoken.

The phrase the capital of Brazil has a single intension, but in
fairly recent history the extension has changed from Rio de
Janeiro to Braslia.

Workbook, Page 124

1. (a)
(b)
neutral to positive in connotation: careful (with ones money),

prudent, thrifty, scotch
negative in connotation: stingy, penny-pinching, tight (wad),
parsimonious, miserly
neutral to positive in connotation: slender, lean, slim, twiggy,
delicate, lanky, slight, spare, lightweight, svelt
negative in connotation: skinny, scrawny, skeletal, puny,
underweight, spindly, gangly, anorexic, wasted, emaciated
2. A
feed
hide
folk
begin
help
mistake
work
sight
middle
height
B
nourish
conceal
people
commence
aid/assist
error
labor
vision
center
altitude
The words in Column B all have a more elevated or more positive

connotation than the words in Column A.
3. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
inclusion
contradiction
ambiguity literal/metaphorical
ambiguity homonymy
presupposition
ambiguity polysemy
paraphrase
anomaly
contradiction
entailment
metaphor
contradiction

Workbook, Page 125

(m)
(n)
(o)
(p)
(q)
(r)
(s)
(t)
(u)
(v)
(w)
4. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
5. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
anomaly
entailment
contradiction
anomaly
anomaly
contradiction
contradiction
contradiction
ambiguity polysemy
entailment
contradiction
homophony
homophony
polysemy
homophony
homophony
polysemy
polysemy
homophony
homophony
(Actually, the rst two denitions are part of the same word,
though they are now so far removed from one another in meaning that they are listed as separate words in the dictionary.)
homophony
polysemy
Someone is playing loud music.
I want something for my birthday.
Normally Alistair goes to work on this day.
Grace used to play the piano.
Tara went back to school.
Sally already had a subscription, and it had run out or was
about to run out.
6. Factive: (b), (d), (e), (g), (i)

Nonfactive: (a), (c), (f), (h), (j)
Workbook, Page 126

1. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
building
dish
river
look (at)
storm
2. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
complementarity
converseness
symmetry
complementarity
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
complementarity
antonymy
recprocity
converseness
3. (a)
hard: soft
(as in hard/soft bed)
hard (= dicult): easy (as in hard/easy question)
hard is unmarked
(Soft is in opposition to loud when referring to a sound or
voice.)
(b) strong : weak
(as in strong/weak person or tea)
strong : mild
(as in strong/mild cheese)
strong is unmarked
(c) short : long
(as in short/long rope or novel)
short : tall
(as in short/tall person or building)
short is marked
(d) happy : sad/unhappy
happy is unmarked
(e) light : dark
(as in light/dark color)
light : heavy
(as in light/heavy box or housework)
light is marked
(f) cheap/inexpensive : expensive
cheap is marked
4. (a) exhausted
(b) drenched, soaking
(c) destitute
(d) despondent
(e) scorching
5. (a) synomymy
(b) converseness
(n) synonymy
(o) synonymy

Workbook, Page 127

(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
(m)
cohyponyms
complementarity
converseness
complementarity
synonymy
converseness
antonymy
superordinate hyponym
synonymy
complementarity
complementarity
(p)
(q)
(r)
(s)
(t)
(u)
(v)
(w)
(x)
(y)
cohyponyms
superordinate hyponym
converseness
converseness
converseness
converseness
synonymy
reversive
reversive
reversive
6. All would appear to be examples of antonymy since they are gradable:

very {clean, drunk, fresh} or cleaner, drunker, fresher. However, we might
also conceive of these as complementary concepts in some contexts:
e.g., a dish is either clean or not, and legally, one is either drunk or not.

Workbook, Page 128

1. whisper, yell, growl, murmur, cry, shout, bellow, whine, shriek, bark,
roar, grunt, groan, call, bawl, whoop, howl, scream, squeal, grumble,
screech, shriek, pipe, holler, etc.
2. street, alley, lane, path, avenue, way, cul-de-sac, bay, thoroughfare,
freeway, highway, carriage-way, expressway, toll road, interstate,
secondary road, back-road, etc.
3. friendly, sullen, morose, cheerful, reserved, depressed, compulsive,
obsessive, prissy, prudish, aected, snobbish, conceited, sociable,
vain, vivacious, gregarious, sensitive, self-condent, self-centered,
vicious, spiteful, duplicitous, sneaky, repressed, mean, nasty,
pretentious, kind, straight-forward, extroverted, introverted, etc.

Workbook, Page 129

1. (a)
plans [+COMMON] [+COUNT] [CONCRETE]

[COLLECTIVE]
(b) u [+COMMON] [COUNT] [CONCRETE]
[COLLECTIVE]
(c) group [+COMMON] [+COUNT] [+CONCRETE]
[+ANIMATE] [HUMAN] [MALE] [+COLLECTIVE]
(d) appetite [+COMMON] [COUNT] [CONCRETE]
[COLLECTIVE]
(e) budget [+COMMON] [+COUNT] [CONCRETE]
[COLLECTIVE]
(f) grounds [+COMMON] [COUNT] [+CONCRETE]
[ANIMATE] [+COLLECTIVE]
(g) grounds [+COMMON] [COUNT] [CONCRETE]
[COLLECTIVE]
(h) ground [+COMMON] [COUNT] [+CONCRETE]
[ANIMATE] [COLLECTIVE]
(i) seafood [+COMMON] [COUNT] [+CONCRETE]
[+ANIMATE?] [HUMAN] [+COLLECTIVE]
(j) grandparents [+COMMON] [+COUNT] [+ANIMATE]
[+HUMAN] [MALE] [-COLLECTIVE]
(k) herd [+COMMON] [+COUNT] [+CONCRETE]
[+ANIMATE] [HUMAN] [MALE] [+COLLECTIVE]
(l) vacation [+COMMON] [+COUNT] [CONCRETE]
[COLLECTIVE]
(m) symptoms [+COMMON] [+COUNT] [+CONCRETE]
[ANIMATE]
or [COUNT] [+COLLECTIVE]
(n) responsibility [+COMMON] [COUNT] [CONCRETE]
[COLLECTIVE]
(o) scenery [+COMMON] [COUNT] [+CONCRETE]
[-COLLECTIVE]
(p) receiver [+COMMON] [+COUNT] [+CONCRETE]
or [+ANIMATE] [HUMAN] [MALE]
(q) clothes [+COMMON] [COUNT] [+CONCRETE]

Workbook, Page 130

(r)
(s)
(t)
2. (a)
(b)
[ANIMATE] [+COLLECTIVE]
bedrest [+COMMON] [COUNT] [CONCRETE]
[COLLECTIVE]
scissors [+COMMON] [COUNT] [+CONCRETE]
requirements [+COMMON] [+COUNT] [CONCRETE]
[-COLLECTIVE]
bank (institution) [+COMMON] [+COUNT] [CONCRETE]
bank (building) [+COMMON] [+COUNT] [CONCRETE]
[ANIMATE]
response (verbal/written) [+COMMON]
[+COUNT][+CONCRETE] [ANIMATE]
response (reaction) [+COMMON] [COUNT]
[CONCRETE]

Workbook, Page 131

1. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
[STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [TELIC] [+VOLUNTARY]

[STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [+TELIC] [+VOLUNTARY]
[+STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
[STATIVE] [DURATIVE] [+TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
(bumping may be either intentional or not)
(e) [STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [+TELIC] [+VOLUNTARY]
(f) [+STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
(g) [STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [+TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
(h) [STATIVE] [DURATIVE] [+TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
(i) [STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
(Presumably, coughing is involuntary in this case, though in He
coughed to catch her attention, it is voluntary.)
(j) [STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [+TELIC] [+VOLUNTARY]
(k) [STATIVE] [DURATIVE] [+TELIC] [+VOLUNTARY]
(l) [STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [+TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
(m) [+STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
(Engagement might seem [+TELIC] since it leads up to
marriage, but even if marriage does not occur, the couple can
be said to have been engaged.)
(n) [STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
(o) [STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [+TELIC] [+VOLUNTARY]
(p) [STATIVE] [DURATIVE] [+TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
(q) [STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [TELIC] [+VOLUNTARY]
(r) [+STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
(s) [STATIVE] [DURATIVE] [+TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
(Although drinking (to excess) is voluntary and durative,
getting drunk is not really voluntary but is a change of state that
simply happens.)
2. (a)
(b)

[STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]

Workbook, Page 132

(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
[STATIVE] [DURATIVE] [+TELIC] [+VOLUNTARY]

[STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
[STATIVE] [+DURATIVE] [+TELIC] [VOLUNTARY]
3. (a)
(i) Adele is playing (the piano).

(ii) Adele played on the piano.
(iii) Adele played on.
(b) (i) Adele played a game of chess.
(ii) Adele played two sets of tennis.
(iii) Adele played from 3 oclock to 4 oclock.
(c) Adele played popular music on the piano.
4. (a)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(b) (i)
(ii)
(iii)
(c)
Adrian read yesterday.

Adrian read in the novel.
Adrian read on.
Adrian read a novel.
Adrian read two novels.
Adrian read to the end of the novel.
Adrian read out the words. (actually N V Prt N)
Adrian read science ction.

Workbook, Page 133

1. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
E It is possible that I am getting sick.

E It is possible that you are pregnant; I think you are.
E It is certain that nitric acid dissolves zinc; I know it does.
D John is obliged to leave now; he has reasons to do so.
D He has permission to miss class or he is able to miss class.
D You are obliged to clean your room; I want you to do so.
A It is likely that he did pass the examination, judging from
appearances (E).
It is necessary that he have passed the examination, in order to
graduate (D). (More common in this case to say He must pass
the exam.)
(h) E It is possible that you could have fallen.
(i) E Cocktail parties are likely to be boring.
(j) A We could do something to discourage her (D).
It is possible that she is discouraged (E).
(k) D I intend to marry her. (This is the strict reading. The
sentence has a looser meaning of prediction, hence an epistemic
reading.)
(l) D It is your obligation to be ashamed of yourself.
(m) E It is not possible that you are being serious.
(n) D Harris is obliged to retire.
(o) A It is possible that he will try harder (E).
He is obliged to try harder (D).
(p) E It is possible for her to be very obstinate.
(q) D Guests are not permitted to use their cellular phones.
(r) D Only experts have permission or have the ability to
advance.
(s) A She is obliged to be careful with her money (D)
From appearances, I deduce that she is careful (E).
(t) E It is likely that Grant is in New York.
(u) A It is possible that the movie wont be violent (E).
I am requiring that the movie not be violent (D).
(v) E It is possible that the revised paper will be better (E).
The revised paper is not as good as it should be (E).

Workbook, Page 134

2. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
main verb You are obliged not to say a thing.

modal She is not obliged to resit the exam.
modal I am not able to reach the upper shelf.
main verb I am willing not to interfere.

Workbook, Page 135

core members:
chair, stool, bench, rocking chair, armchair, couch, sofa, divan, chaise
longue, daybed, loveseat, recliner, easy-chair, table (coee-, dining-),
desk, console, crib, cradle, bed, cot, bookcase, stereo/t.v. cabinet,
sideboard, buet, dresser, bureau, chest, wardrobe, coat rack, hat rack,
umbrella stand
peripheral members:
throne, dais, cupboard, cabinet, counter, bunk, stretcher, hammock,
altar, pulpit, lectern, podium, workbench, sink, toilet, lamp, mirror,
carpet, picture, drapes, blinds, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer,
picnic table, lawn chair (may be core?)
Core members must be moveable, not built in, used inside the home for
everyday use.
lectern, podium, pulpit, altar not used in the home
cabinet, cupboard, workbench, altar, sink, toilet not moveable
throne, dais, stretcher not for everyday use
hammock, workbench, picnic table, lawn chair not used inside the
home
sink, toilet not moveable, would be considered xtures
mirror, lamp, picture, carpet, drapes, blinds would be considered
furnishings
dishwasher, washing machine, dryer not moveable, would be
considered appliances

Workbook, Page 136

1. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
study requires [+HUMAN] subject

surprise requires [+ANIMATE] object
slither requires [+SNAKE] or [+WORM] subject
invest requires [+HUMAN] subject and [+MONETARY]
object
2. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
(m)
(n)
(o)
(p)
(q)
(r)
(s)
(t)
(u)
(v)
(w)
synesthesia
tautology
oxymoron
paradox
apparent tautology
metonymy (= a professorship)
personication
synedoche
synesthesia
tautology
metonymy (pen = writing; sword = ghting)
synecdoche (= a car)
personication/tautology
synesthesia
metaphor
metonymy (= great eort, hard work)
oxymoron
metaphor
metaphor
apparent tautology
metonymy (board = food)
metaphor
synecdoche (However, table linen is often not made of linen
anymore.)
(x) metonymy
(y) apparent tautology
(z) metaphor
(aa) tautology
(bb) tautology

Workbook, Page 137

(cc) oxymoron
(dd) tautology
(ee) oxymoron
3. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
4. (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
5. (a)
(b)
The adjective pregnant has the restriction that it cooccur with a

noun that is [MALE]; pause is [ANIMATE], and the feature of
maleness is hence not relevant. In this case, it is the secondary
feature of [+EXPECTANT] in pregnant which seems to be in the
forefront. The expression is metaphorical.
Eloquent has the restriction that it cooccur with a noun with the
feature [+SPEECH] or at least [+ORAL]; silence is [ORAL].
Therefore, this expression is an oxymoron.
The verb love selects a subject which is [+ANIMATE], and probably [+HUMAN] as well. The noun misery is [CONCRETE],
hence [ANIMATE]. In this case, however, misery seems to have
taken on the feature [+ANIMATE] by a process of personication.
Bitter selects a noun which is [+GUSTATORY], while reproach is
[+SPEECH]; hence, this expression is a case of synesthesia.
Both joint and partnership contain the notion of [+JOINING];
thus, this expression is tautological.
Ideas are food to be consumed.
Reputation/renown is equated with physical size.
Ideas are equated to money.
A conversation is like a container which collects things.
Social rank is equated to height on a vertical scale.
Physical well-being is equated to height on a vertical scale.
Emotional well-being equated to height on a vertical scale.
focus interpretation: the thoughts are fully formed or developed
(like ripe fruit)
vehicle interpretation: the thoughts are like fruit/vegetables
organic, capable of growth to maturity, nourishing, perhaps even
on the verge of rotting if not eaten (acted upon).
focus interpretation: the lovers are luxuriating in, indulging,
enjoying their happiness (as one does water in a bath)

Workbook, Page 138

<FILE "app"
</TARGET
"7" "6">
"8"
"9"
"10"
"11"
BOOKMARK "Appendix:
"7.
"8.
"9.
"11.
"10. Finite
Phrasal
Adverbials,
Information
Sentence
and
Linguistics
Structure
Semantics">
Nonfinite
Auxiliaries,
Structuring
and
in Clauses">
Language
Verb
andandSentence
Complementation">
Speech
Teaching">
Types">
Acts">
(c)
vehicle interpretation: gladnesse, or lovers happiness, is like

bath water soothing, warming, cleansing, revitalizing, restoring
focus interpretation: one can see in the poet the eects of aging
vehicle interpretation: the eects of aging resemble a tree in the
late fall barren, desolate, stark, depleted, reduced from some
prior, richer state.

Workbook, Page 139


Exercises On Semantics

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<TARGET

TITLE "Chapter 6. Lexical Semantics"

SUBJECT "The Structure of Modern English"

SIZE HEIGHT "260"

Exercise 6.1: Traditional Semantics

1. Consult a number of dictionaries on the meaning of the word hero.

the instructor of Linguistics 101

Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

Exercise 6.2: Basic Semantic Concepts

3. Describe the semantic relationship expressed by each of the following

Im allergic to nuts. There are walnuts in the cookies.

Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

went to the university.

to hit with the head

5. Say what is presupposed by each of the following sentences.

Is Frank playing that loud music?

6. Which of the following are factive and which nonfactive?

John criticized Mark for not working hard enough.

Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

Exercise 6.3: Structural Semantics

1. Identify the superordinate term in each set.

house, shed, building, garage, cottage, hut

2. Identify the relationship of oppositeness expressed in the following

The window pane is open, but it should be shut.

3. Below is one member of a set of scalar adjectives. Identify the other

4. Give the end-of-scale equivalents for these normal scalar adjectives

Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

5. Name the structural relation expressed by each of the following pairs of

6. Identify whether the following pairs are examples of antonymy or

Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

Exercise 6.4: Semantic Fields

Related to the concept of hyponymy, but more loosely dened, is the

Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

(b) stages of life

Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

gown (evening-, ball-)

Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

Exercise 6.5: Semantic Features (Nouns)

1. Using the inherent features of nouns discussed in the chapter, analyze

Have you made plans for tonight?

2. Give two dierent feature analyses for each of the following.

Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

Exercise 6.6: Semantic Features (Verbs)

1. Analyze the predicates in the following sentences using the inherent

The skaters are practicing.

I heard a strange noise.

Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

She is helping him.

3. Answer the following using the verb play.

Give a sentence of the form N V ( N) which is an

4. Answer the questions in (3) in respect to the verb read.

Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

Exercise 6.7: Modal Auxiliaries

1. Determine whether the following sentences with modal expressions, in

I must be getting sick.

You mustnt say a thing.

Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

Exercise 6.8: Prototypes

Laurel J. Brinton The Structure of Modern English

Exercise 6.9: Figurative Language

1. Give the selectional restrictions for the following words:

2. Identify the type of gurative expression in each of the following: