Research Article

(Reversed) Mismatch Asymmetry in English Subject-Verb Agreement

Volume: 34 Number: 1 June 20, 2023
TR EN

(Reversed) Mismatch Asymmetry in English Subject-Verb Agreement

Abstract

This paper investigates, in English, the widely reported mismatch asymmetry, or plural attraction in the production of subject-verb agreement and the relatively less observed reversed mismatch asymmetry, or singular attraction in comprehension. Through a self-paced reading experiment, a read-aloud production task and a pen-and-paper questionnaire, we examined whether singular attraction is a genuine effect in comprehension or it could be due to the experimental materials in the few studies that reported it. The results support the view that singular attraction in comprehension is genuine, at least for structures that include three nouns in the subject, and plural attraction extends to sentences with complex subjects that include three nouns when the task is not too demanding. The (reversed) mismatch asymmetry in subject-verb agreement is attributed to the differential mechanisms involved in sentence comprehension and production.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Boğaziçi University Scientific Research Projects Grant, City University of New York, Graduate Center

Project Number

13781

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Linguistics , Linguistic Structures (Incl. Phonology, Morphology and Syntax)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 20, 2023

Submission Date

October 3, 2022

Acceptance Date

February 7, 2023

Published in Issue

Year 2023 Volume: 34 Number: 1

APA
Dinçtopal Deniz, N., Bakay, Ö., & Bayrak Kurt, D. (2023). (Reversed) Mismatch Asymmetry in English Subject-Verb Agreement. Dilbilim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 34(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.18492/dad.1181172