Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

Û

539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

Speech acts | 707

---

[meringues are a type of sweet confectionery]

Now who’s for more tea? 

I insist on you sampling some of Bessie’s meringues

. 

(compare: You must sample some of Bessie’s meringues.)

As soon as she comes back, 

I promise I’ll ask her

.

(compare: As soon as she comes back, I’ll ask her.)

A speech act verb may not necessarily correspond one-to-one with the speech act

being performed. For example, verbs such as suggest and promise can be used to

issue directives. The exact interpretation depends on context:

I promise you you’ll regret it later if you don’t study now.

(I warn you that you’ll regret it)