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Article published In: ITL - International Journal of Applied Linguistics
Vol. 137/138 (2002) ► pp.205–231

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Does Cognitive Linguistics have anything to offer English language learners in their efforts to master phrasal verbs?

 | University of Namur, Belgium
 | University of Namur, Belgium
Published online: 1 January 2002
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https://doi.org/10.1075/itl.137-138.03con
Abstract
Phrasal verbs are widely acknowledged as being a notoriously difficult area of language for learners of English. The tendency in the past has been to regard them as arbitrary items of language that must simply be learned by heart. As an alternative to the rote memorisation of random lists of phrasal verbs, the Collins COBUILD dictionary of phrasal verbs has set out its own approach. Yet another alternative can be found within the framework of cognitive linguistics. In this paper the two approaches are described and compared. We then set out and discuss the results of tests carried out with two groups of learners, where one group had used the Collins approach and the other a cognitive approach in order to learn phrasal verbs. The results point to the need for further research.
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