Date: Sun, 12 Dec 1993 13:57:50 -0800

From: "Thomas L. Clark" tlc[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]NEVADA.EDU

Subject: Re: some U.S. "Midland" regional



Dennis,

"Tentativity" intrigues me. What would you do with:



1) I am trying to get a grant.

2) I want to get a grant.

3) I am wanting to get a grant.

4) I try to get a grant.



Suddenly, # 4 seems more "tentative." The subtext is "No matter how

often I apply, I seem not to succeed."

#3 seems less "tentative," subtext being, "I am not applying to enough

places."



tlc[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]nevada.edu



Your message dated: Sat, 11 Dec 1993 20:18:00 EST

--------

I believe what Don Lance calls 'tentativity' as a feature of some progressive

***s

(e.g., 'Are you wanting to make an appointment') is essentially the same thin

***g

I expressed in an earlier reaction to this query. I still believe, however,

that negative expectation has greater generalization for the feature we are

trying (or should I say wanting) to tease out.

Dennis Preston

22709mgr[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]msu.bitnet

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