A network of allostructions: quantified subject constructions in Russian

• DOI: 10.1515/cog-2021-0117
• Publication Date: 2023-02-22T07:35:30Z
• Authors: Tore Nesset; Laura A. Janda
• Keywords: Plural; Construction Grammar; Corpus Linguistics; Numeral system; Phenomenon; Historical Linguistics; Cognitive Grammar; Variation (astronomy)

Abstract This article contributes to Construction Grammar, historical linguistics, and Russian linguistics through an in-depth corpus study of predicate agreement in constructions with quantified subjects. Statistical analysis approximately 39,000 examples indicates that these constitute a network (“allostructions”) various preferences for singular or plural agreement. Factors pull different directions, we observe relatively stable situation the face variation. We present multidimensional allostructions Russian, thus contributing our understanding allostructional relationships Grammar. With regard language stability is understudied field. illustrate interplay divergent factors apparently resists change. The syntax numerals other quantifiers represents notoriously complex phenomenon language. Our sheds new light on contributions favor sentences