This paper aims to provide an integrated account of the affectedness of semantic factors such as the Figure precedence principle, the sequence principle, and the end-focus principle on the positioning of the concessive clauses introduced by the subord...
This paper aims to provide an integrated account of the affectedness of semantic factors such as the Figure precedence principle, the sequence principle, and the end-focus principle on the positioning of the concessive clauses introduced by the subordinate conjunction although, based on the COCA"s recently updated data. The results of this paper show that these three principles are involved in the positioning of the although-clause either independently or interactively with each other. The Figure precedence principle has the greatest influence on the positioning of the although-clause. The Sequence principle works by itself or with the initial although-clause, playing the role of a bridge when the main clause gets an end-focus. Some although-clauses are positioned to avoid the reinterpretation process of the main clause without being affected by the three principles.