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Table 1 Domains of elemental metaphors (Halliday & Matthiessen, 1999, p. 245)

From: Grammatical metaphor: What do we mean? What exactly are we researching?

Congruent:

Metaphorical

   
 

➝ Circumstance

➝ Process

➝ Quality

➝ Thing

Quality ➝ unstable

   

1 instability

Process ➝ absorb

  

3 absorptive

2 absorption

Circumstance ➝ instead of; on the surface

 

6 replaces

5 alternative; superficial

4 replacement; surface

Relator for/because ➝ [b, for/because a] so [a, so b]

10 because of; as a result

9 causes, proves; ensues, follows from

8 casual; consequent

7 cause, proof; result

 

12 occurs; imposes; does, has

 

11 phenomenon, fact

Thing, circumstance ➝ drive [be safe] decided [today]

13 expansion of Thing < in Environment of 1 or 2 > driver [safety] driver’s [safety] [safety of the driver] today’s [decision] [decision] of today