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Article published In: The Wealth and Breadth of Construction-Based Research:
Edited by Timothy Colleman, Frank Brisard, Astrid De Wit, Renata Enghels, Nikos Koutsoukos, Tanja Mortelmans and María Sol Sansiñena
[Belgian Journal of Linguistics 34] 2020
► pp. 148–160

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What would it take for us to abandon Construction Grammar?

Falsifiability, confirmation bias and the future of the constructionist enterprise

 | Hunan Normal University | KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
Published online: 28 May 2021
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https://doi.org/10.1075/bjl.00042.hof
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of scientific theories is their falsifiability, i.e. the fact that they make predictions that can objectively be proven wrong. Thus, it is paramount that researchers, including linguists, are able to state what kind of evidence would lead them to abandon their scientific theory. Yet, researchers just like all other human beings are susceptible to confirmation bias, i.e. the fact that they only seek evidence that supports their existing views. In this squib, I will raise the question whether Construction Grammar can become a falsifiable theory.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Constructions all the way?
  • 3.The constructional theory of complexity
  • 4.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Note
  • References
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2025. Are phonemes constructions?. Constructions and Frames DOI logo
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2025. Corpus Linguistics and the Cognitive/Constructional Endeavor. In The Cambridge Handbook of Construction Grammar, ► pp. 171 ff. DOI logo
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2024. A sisterhood of constructions? A structural priming approach to modelling links in the network of Objoid Constructions. Cognitive Linguistics 35:3 ► pp. 313 ff. DOI logo
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2024. Vertical and horizontal links in constructional networks. Constructions and Frames 16:1 ► pp. 30 ff. DOI logo
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2023. The Constructicon, DOI logo
Ungerer, Tobias & Stefan Hartmann
2023. Constructionist Approaches, DOI logo
Ivanova, Svetlana Viktorovna, Svetlana Nikolaevna Medvedeva, I. Klimova & M. Konurbaev
2021. Applying constructional approach to second language teaching and learning. SHS Web of Conferences 127 ► pp. 01016 ff. DOI logo
[no author supplied]
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This list is based on CrossRef data as of 3 december 2025. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.

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