What is a means-result relation?

Definition
	A means-result relation is a causal relation in which
	one proposition expresses a state or activity employed so as to bring about the state or event expressed by the other proposition, and the achievement or nonachievement of the desired state or event is expressed.

Example (English)
	He kept from disturbing the boss by being quiet.

Generic
	A means-result relation is a kind of
	What is a causal relation?

Sources
	Beekman and Callow 1974 301–302
	Beekman, Callow, and Kopesec 1981 102

Context for this page:

Concept module: means-result relation
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): M
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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