What is a blocking circumstance?

Definition
	A blocking circumstance is a factor, sometimes expressed along with a concession relation, that
	thwarts an expected event or state, and results in an unexpected event or state.

Example (English)
	In the following example, you’re not big enough is the blocking circumstance and the concession is I know you want to play. The implied unexpected state is not being able to play: I know you want to play, but you’re not big enough.

Source
	Longacre 1983 135

Context for this page:

Concept module: blocking circumstance
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): B
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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