Martin (1992: 313-4):
With nominal groups, one further set of elaborations to consider are realised through Pre–Deictic, Pre–Numerative, Pre–Epithet and Pre–Classifier structures. The first three of these code part/whole relations and the last class/subclass ones. Like Classifier°Thing structures, from the point of view of field these function simply as grammatical resources for isolating particular parts or classes of people, places and things.
Pre–Deictic the top of = the ridge, the back of = the gardenPre–Numerative a herd of = buffalo, a mouthful of = foodPre–Epithet the last of = the questions, the biggest of = the melonsPre–Classifier that kind of = beer, this sort of = thing
Blogger Comments:
[1] The part/whole relation — composition (meronymy) — is a type of extension, not elaboration.
[2] In SFL theory, these are now termed 'facet' expressions and classified as extended Numeratives.
[3] In SFL theory, these are now termed 'measure' expressions and classified as extended Numeratives. The first example is an 'aggregate' expression, whereas the second is a 'portion 'expression.
[4] In SFL theory, this is an ordering Numerative or 'ordinative'.
[5] In SFL theory, these are now termed 'variety' expressions and classified as extended Numeratives.
[6] These are nominal group functions, not structures.
[7] Only the first two involve part/whole relations: 'last' is not part of the whole 'questions'; 'biggest' is not part of the whole 'melons'.
[8] The point of view of field is irrelevant to these grammatical functions.
[8] The point of view of field is irrelevant to these grammatical functions.
