The Corpus and its Coding 127
not found in Brazil (1995) were proposed: phrases, conventions,
exclamations and numerals. The fi rst point to look at is the coding
of some V elements as PHR-V.
5.4.1 PHR-V and PHR-V' elements
In Chapter 4, it was suggested that a category of PHR-V element be
recognized in three cases. First, where the V-elements represented a single
meaningful selection which is notated by Cobuild as a phrase. Second,
where the V elements are in phase and the action represented by the
second verb has been completed, and fi nally, where the V–ing pattern of
the verb signals a future happening. Turning fi rst to the issue of V-elements
which appear to represent a single meaningful selection it is important to
see if any supporting evidence, other than Cobuild, exists for treating them
as single meaningful selections. As discussed in Chapter 1, speakers’ tonality
selections segment speech into information units. It is diffi cult to see how a
single meaningful selection could be simultaneously present in two separate
adjoining information units. Of the 54 V elements^10 coded in agreement
with Cobuild as VPHR none occurred across two tone units. Example (12)
is in a sense an exception which proves the rule.
(12) ERM // in the SENSE that you are looking... at ↑WHAT is
ex p d n w n v v' p W V
HAPpening in the \MIDdle east // and what is happening in
V' p d N c W V V' P
i\RAQ // and /LEBanon // and \PAlestine //
N c N c N #
[T2-Dc-47]Dc, unlike the other readers misconstrues the element look at as a
v'p sequence rather than as vphr element synonymous with consider.
Realizing her error in producing the form looking which signifi es directing
your gaze in order to see she paused for 1.15 seconds before continuing with
her reading.
The 5 elements which were coded VPHR or V'PHR rather than as a
V element followed by an A or P element are lived through, preyed on, to come
back, are up against, and look at. The suggested coding of VPHR proved to
offer semantic clarity in highlighting meaningful distinctions e.g.^11