What is a performative verb?

Definition
	A performative verb is a verb that names an illocutionary force. It is used in a performative to perform an illocutionary act having that force.

Example (English)
	I baptize you …

Sources
	Levinson 1983 244
	Crystal 1985 225
	Quirk, Greenbaum, Leech, and Svartvik 1985 180–181

Context for this page:

Concept module: performative verb
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): P
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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