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This paper explores the motivational factors of the It-Evaluative Constructions(extraposition in traditional terms) within the framework of systemic functional grammar.We take IEC as a special Theme construction.It stands in a systemic relationship with its non-special counterpart.The preference of the former over the latter in specific context means that there are motivational factors at work.We consider five factors:i.e.,grammatical factors,the end-weight principle,information packaging,Theme packaging,and objectivity.We adopt a speaker’s perspective to information and approach it in relational terms.Different from related studies in the literature which focus on the placement of the Evaluated at the end of the construction,we pay attention to the placement of the Evaluator in the Theme position and consider the IEC as a Theme packaging device.At the same time,we notice that when some of the factors fail to provide motivation for choosing the IEC,others will be found in play.We do not need to choose between such factors to explain the IEC for they are compatible in most cases and are in cooperation with each other.Although none of the functional properties in isolation is unique to the IEC,the combination,co-working,and trading-off between them motivate the choice of the IEC instead of its non-special counterpart.
This paper explores the motivational factors of the It-Evaluative Constructions (extraposition in traditional terms) within the framework of systemic functional grammar. We take IEC as a special Theme construction. It stands in a systemic relationship with its non-special counterpart. The preference of the former over the latter in specific context means that there are motivational factors at work. We consider five factors: ie, grammatical factors, the end-weight principle, information packaging, Theme packaging, and objectivity. We adopt a speaker’s perspective to information and approach it in relational terms. Different from related studies in the literature which focus on the placement of the Evaluated at the end of the construction, we pay attention to the placement of the Evaluator in the Theme position and consider the IEC as a Theme packaging device.At the same time, we notice that when some of the factors fail to provide motivation for choosing the IEC, others will be found in play.We do no t need to choose between such factors to explain the IEC for them are compatible in most cases and are in cooperation with each other. Unknown none of the functional properties in isolation is unique to the IEC, the combination, co-working, and trading- off between them motivate the choice of the IEC instead of its non-special counterpart.