Core argument (in RRG)

In more recent versions of Role and Reference Grammar, a core argument is simply an argument of the clause, i.e. an element that is required by the verb's valency.

• "Core arguments are those arguments which are part of the semantic representation of the verb." (Van Valin & LaPolla 1997:26)

Comments

In earlier versions of Role and Reference Grammar, there was also a notion of peripheral argument (Foley & Van Valin 1984). In the more recent versions, there is no apparently no distinction between core argument and argument.

Synonym

• argument

Subtypes

• direct core argument
• oblique core argument

Reference

• Foley, William A. & Van Valin, Jr., Robert D. 1984. Functional syntax and universal grammar. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Van Valin, Jr., Robert D. & LaPolla, Randy J. 1997. Syntax: Structure, meaning and function. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.