tom3m
Senior Member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2011
- Member Type
- English Teacher
- Native Language
- Czech
- Home Country
- Czech Republic
- Current Location
- Czech Republic
In the book The English Verb: An Eploration of Structure and Meaning by Michael Lewis I found this:
My question is whether the 'so-called' declarative verbs are the same thing as performative verbs.
Thank you in advance
1) I pronounce you husband and wife.
This usage is restricted to certain verbs - I shall call them declarative verbs - in which the saying of the sentence is the action described by the sentence. Further examples are:
I swear by almighty God... (the oath taken in court)
That's all right, I forgive you.
My question is whether the 'so-called' declarative verbs are the same thing as performative verbs.
Thank you in advance