PRAGMATIC INTERACTIONS OF THE SYNTAGM "IN THAT" IN CONTEXTS.

This work is an empirical study, trying to identify the role of "in that" clause in different contexts. The aim of this paper is to analyze the pragmatic result of stretching or limiting the meaning of a word when I use "in that" construction. I shall prove that "in that" clauses work like hedges, limiting the domain over which an assertion is held to be true, removing the speaker from responsibility for interpretations other than those specifically mentioned. I shall also prove that "in that" can stretch the meanings of words, giving them various metaphorical or connotative values. Finally, by this study, I would like to demonstrate once again that pragmatics and syntax interact and influence each other in order to create acceptable speech. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]