What is an interpropositional relation?

Definition
	An interpropositional relation is an explicit or inferred coherence relation between propositions or groups of propositions that are typically expressed by clauses or larger portions of text.
	Interpropositional relations can account for the coherence between portions of text.

Discussion
	The term interpropositional relation has been chosen here as a rubric for relations that various authors have proposed, using a variety of terminology, in accounting for text structure or coherence.
	Not every author would agree that this term is the best one for these relations, nor would all agree that every relation cited here belongs in a list of interpropositional relations. The controversy occurs either because of a disputation over the validity of a relation itself, or some restriction on the usage of the term interpropositional relation.

Example (English)

The following construction is an example of an inferred solutionhood relation, a particular kind of interpropositional relation:

I’m hungry; let’s go to the Fuji Gardens.

Source:

Mann and Thompson 1985 1

Kinds
	Here are some kinds of interpropositional relations as found in Mann and Thompson 1985.:
	What is an external relation? What is an internal relation? What is an additive relation? What is an alternative relation? What is a background relation? What is a causal relation? What is a contraction relation? What is a contrast relation? What is a dismissive relation? What is an elaboration relation? What is an enablement relation? What is an evaluation relation? What is an interpretation relation? What is a justification relation? What is a motivation relation? What is a parenthesis relation? What is a restatement relation? What is a similarity relation? What is a solutionhood relation? What is a temporal relation?
	Here are some kinds of propositional relations as found, for example, in Banker 1996:
	Equal prominence Chronological sequential simultaneous Nonchronological conjoining alternation
	Unequal prominence
	Orientation orienter-CONTENT circumstance-NUCLEUS Chronological move(n)-GOAL occasion-OUTCOME problem-RESOLUTION Nonchronological restatement NUCLEUS-equivalent GENERIC-specific(n) generic-SPECIFIC contraction-amplification negative-POSITIVE clarification

Generic
	An interpropositional relation is a kind of
	What is meaning and pragmatic function?

Concept module: interpropositional relation
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): I
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