Patterns, constructions, and applied linguistics

Abstract This paper proposes an alignment between aspects of pattern grammar ( Francis, 1993 ; Hunston & Francis, 2000 ) and construction grammar ( Goldberg, 2006 ). Pattern Grammar describes the grammatical behaviour of individual words at a specific level of generality. The paper claims that grammar patterns and the groups of words identified as occurring with them can be used to propose candidate constructions. This claim is illustrated with verbs and with adjectives. The paper proposes that the term ‘construction’ be used to refer to a sub-set of instances of a grammar pattern, that sub-set identified by the occurrence of a limited set of node words. It also proposes that the Pattern Grammar reference resources that are already available be reconfigured as a constructicon. The paper discusses how constructions could be presented to (English) language teachers and learners and how a constructicon might be organised.