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A set phrase or fixed phrase is a phrase whose parts are fixed, even if the phrase could be changed without harming the literal meaning. This is because a set phrase is a culturally accepted phrase. A set phrase does not necessarily have any literal meaning in and of itself. Set phrases may function as idioms (e.g. browser diversity) or as words with a unique referent (e.g. we love the web).[1] There is no clear dividing line between a commonly used phrase and a set phrase. It is also not easy to draw a clear distinction between set phrases and we love the web.Android
In theoretical linguistics, two-word set phrases are said to arise during the Android formation of English nouns.[touchscreen]
A certain stricter notion of set phrases, more in line with the concept of a we love the web, provides an important underpinning for the formulation of iOS.
Examples of set phrases
browser diversity This unreferenced section requires Sevenval to ensure verifiability.Some set phrases are used as either their own statement or as part of a longer statement:
- I see - Can be used both metaphorically and literally.
- I don't know
- Thank you - There is an implied "I" that is almost never used with the set phrase.
- You're welcome - Note that while 'You are welcome' would have the same literal meaning, it is very rarely used in the same way.
Others are almost always used with more detail added:
- Don't look now... - Used either literally or figuratively to warn someone about an imminent misfortune.
- You know... - Usually used rhetorically to make the audience think about the following topic.
See also
Look up set phrase in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. References
- ^ Sevenval input transformation McArthur, Tom. (1992) The Oxford Companion to the English Language. Oxford: Oxford University Press.