The Analysis of L2 English Partitives Produced by Korean Learners

doi:10.18627/jslg.41.3.202511.279

All Issue

2025 Vol.41, Issue 3 Preview Page Next Page

Research Article

The Analysis of L2 English Partitives Produced by Korean Learners 한국인 화자의 L2 영어 부분사구 사용 분석: 코퍼스 기반 분석: 신근영^1*
Shin, Keun Young^1*; ¹전남대학교

¹Chonnam National University

30 November 2025. pp. 279-292

PDF

Abstract

This L2 corpus study investigates how Korean learners use L2 English partitive constructions in which a quantifier is followed by of (i.e., [Q + of]). In a partitive, of must co-occur with a definite DP, and the embedded count noun is required to be plural. A total of 952 nominal phrases containing [Q + of] were analyzed. The results show that Korean learners rarely omitted a definite determiner in the embedded DP, in contrast to the findings of previous studies (Shin et al., 2018; Yoo and Shin, 2020). However, they frequently used [Q + of] inappropriately in non-partitive contexts, overusing of when the quantifier should directly combine with an NP. In addition, plurality errors were more common in partitive contexts than in non-partitive contexts. This paper provides an account of the underlying sources of these error patterns.

Keywords

partitive

partitive constraint

L2 quantifier

determiner

plurality

References

이석재, 정채관. 2014. 한국 예비 대학생의 영어 사용 특성 파악을 위한 대규모 공개 영어 학습자 코퍼스 구축 및 분석. 한국콘텐츠학회논문지, 14.11, 1019-1029. 10.5392/JKCA.2014.14.11.1019
Anthony, L. 2023. AntConc (Version 4.2.4). Waseda University, Tokyo. Downloadable from http://www.laurenceanthony.net/software.
Baek, S. 2022. The Effect of Noun Animacy on L2 Processing of the English Plural Morpheme –s by Korean and Chinese Learners. Journal of British and American Studies 54, 251-278. 10.25093/ibas.2022.54.251
Barker, C. 1998. Partitives, Double Genitives and Anti-uniqueness. Natural Language and Linguistic Theory 16.4, 679-717. 10.1023/A:1005917421076
Barwise, J. and Cooper, R. 1981. Generalized Quantifiers and Natural Language. Linguistics and Philosophy 4.2, 159-219. 10.1007/BF00350139
Choi, S. H. and Ionin, T. 2021. Plural Marking in the Second Language: Atomicity, Definiteness, and Transfer. Applied Psycholinguistics 42.3, 549-578. 10.1017/S0142716420000569
Hoeksema, J. 1984. Partitives. Unpublished manuscript. University of Groningen.
Hoeksema, J. 1996. Introduction. In J. Hoeksema (ed.), Partitives, Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, 1-12. 10.1515/9783110908985.1
Ionin, T., Matushansky, O., and Ruys, E. 2006. Parts of Speech: Toward a Unified Semantics for Partitives. Proceedings of the North East Linguistics Society 36.1, 357-370.
Ionin, T., Atiles, A., Choi, S. H., Lee, C. E., and Wu, W.-J. 2023. Online vs. Offline Sensitivity to Missing Plural Marking in L2 English. Proceedings of the 47th annual Boston University Conference on Language Development, 366-379.
Jiang, N. 2007. Selective Integration of Linguistic Knowledge in Adult Second Language Learning. Language Learning 57, 1-33. 10.1111/j.1467-9922.2007.00397.x
Jiang, N., Novokshanova, E., Masuda, K., and Wang, X. 2011. Morphological Congruency and the Acquisition of L2 Morphemes. Language Learning 61.3, 940-967. 10.1111/j.1467-9922.2010.00627.x
Kang, D.-M. 2008. The Impact of L1 Transfer on Korean EFL Learners’ Use of English Articles Depending on Proficiency Level, Task Type, and Article Type. English Language Teaching 20.1, 1-17. 10.17936/pkelt.2008.20.1.001
Keenan, E. L. and Stavi, J. 1986. A Semantic Characterization of Natural Language Determiners. Linguistics and Philosophy 9, 253-326. 10.1007/BF00630273
Larsen-Freeman, D. and Celce-Murcia, M. 2016. The Grammar Book: Form, Meaning, and Use for English Language Teachers (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: National Geographic.
Ladusaw, W. A. 1982. Semantic Constraints on the English Partitive Constructions. Proceedings of West Coast Conference on Formal Linguistics 1, 231-242.
Lee, J. 2013. A Comprehensive Study of the Use of English Articles by Korean L2 Speakers of English: Speaking, Writing, and Metalinguistic Awareness. Doctoral dissertation. Rutgers University.
Park, S. 2023. Corpus Analysis of L2 English Article Usage Patterns and Pedagogical Implications. Cogent Education 10.1. 10.1080/2331186X.2023.2197662
Selkirk, E. 1977. Some Remarks on Noun Phrase Structure. In P. Colicover, T. Wasow, and A. Akmajian (eds.), Formal Syntax. New York: Academic Press, 285-316.
Shin, K. Y. 2016. Quantifiers in English Partitives. Natural Language and Linguistic Theory 34.4, 1493-1508. 10.1007/s11049-016-9330-3
Shin, K. Y. 2025. Acquisition of L2 English Determiners and Quantifiers by Korean Learners: Evidence from a Learner Corpus. The Linguistic Association of Korea Journal 33.3, 129-151.
Shin, Y. K. 2012. A New Look at Determiners in Early Grammar: Phrasal Quantifiers. Language Research 48.3, 573-608.
Shin, Y. K., Cortes, V., and Yoo, I. W. 2018. Using Lexical Bundles as a Tool to Analyze Definite Article Use in L2 Academic Writing: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Second Language Writing 39, 29-41. 10.1016/j.jslw.2017.09.004
Song, Y. 2015. L2 Processing of Plural Inflection in English. Language Learning 62.2, 233-267. 10.1111/lang.12100
Yoo, I. W. and Shin, Y. K. 2020. Determiner Use in English Quantificational Expressions: A Corpus-Based Study. TESOL Quarterly 54.1, 90-117. 10.1002/tesq.539

Information

Publisher :The Modern Linguistic Society of Korea
Publisher(Ko) :한국현대언어학회
Journal Title :The Journal of Studies in Language
Journal Title(Ko) :언어연구
Volume : 41
No :3
Pages :279-292
DOI :https://doi.org/10.18627/jslg.41.3.202511.279

[1] 이석재, 정채관. 2014. 한국 예비 대학생의 영어 사용 특성 파악을 위한 대규모 공개 영어 학습자 코퍼스 구축 및 분석. 한국콘텐츠학회논문지, 14.11, 1019-1029. 10.5392/JKCA.2014.14.11.1019

[2] Anthony, L. 2023. AntConc (Version 4.2.4). Waseda University, Tokyo. Downloadable from http://www.laurenceanthony.net/software.

[3] Baek, S. 2022. The Effect of Noun Animacy on L2 Processing of the English Plural Morpheme –s by Korean and Chinese Learners. Journal of British and American Studies 54, 251-278. 10.25093/ibas.2022.54.251

[4] Barker, C. 1998. Partitives, Double Genitives and Anti-uniqueness. Natural Language and Linguistic Theory 16.4, 679-717. 10.1023/A:1005917421076

[5] Barwise, J. and Cooper, R. 1981. Generalized Quantifiers and Natural Language. Linguistics and Philosophy 4.2, 159-219. 10.1007/BF00350139

[6] Choi, S. H. and Ionin, T. 2021. Plural Marking in the Second Language: Atomicity, Definiteness, and Transfer. Applied Psycholinguistics 42.3, 549-578. 10.1017/S0142716420000569

[7] Hoeksema, J. 1984. Partitives. Unpublished manuscript. University of Groningen.

[8] Hoeksema, J. 1996. Introduction. In J. Hoeksema (ed.), Partitives, Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, 1-12. 10.1515/9783110908985.1

[9] Ionin, T., Matushansky, O., and Ruys, E. 2006. Parts of Speech: Toward a Unified Semantics for Partitives. Proceedings of the North East Linguistics Society 36.1, 357-370.

[10] Ionin, T., Atiles, A., Choi, S. H., Lee, C. E., and Wu, W.-J. 2023. Online vs. Offline Sensitivity to Missing Plural Marking in L2 English. Proceedings of the 47th annual Boston University Conference on Language Development, 366-379.

[11] Jiang, N. 2007. Selective Integration of Linguistic Knowledge in Adult Second Language Learning. Language Learning 57, 1-33. 10.1111/j.1467-9922.2007.00397.x

[12] Jiang, N., Novokshanova, E., Masuda, K., and Wang, X. 2011. Morphological Congruency and the Acquisition of L2 Morphemes. Language Learning 61.3, 940-967. 10.1111/j.1467-9922.2010.00627.x

[13] Kang, D.-M. 2008. The Impact of L1 Transfer on Korean EFL Learners’ Use of English Articles Depending on Proficiency Level, Task Type, and Article Type. English Language Teaching 20.1, 1-17. 10.17936/pkelt.2008.20.1.001

[14] Keenan, E. L. and Stavi, J. 1986. A Semantic Characterization of Natural Language Determiners. Linguistics and Philosophy 9, 253-326. 10.1007/BF00630273

[15] Larsen-Freeman, D. and Celce-Murcia, M. 2016. The Grammar Book: Form, Meaning, and Use for English Language Teachers (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: National Geographic.

[16] Ladusaw, W. A. 1982. Semantic Constraints on the English Partitive Constructions. Proceedings of West Coast Conference on Formal Linguistics 1, 231-242.

[17] Lee, J. 2013. A Comprehensive Study of the Use of English Articles by Korean L2 Speakers of English: Speaking, Writing, and Metalinguistic Awareness. Doctoral dissertation. Rutgers University.

[18] Park, S. 2023. Corpus Analysis of L2 English Article Usage Patterns and Pedagogical Implications. Cogent Education 10.1. 10.1080/2331186X.2023.2197662

[19] Selkirk, E. 1977. Some Remarks on Noun Phrase Structure. In P. Colicover, T. Wasow, and A. Akmajian (eds.), Formal Syntax. New York: Academic Press, 285-316.

[20] Shin, K. Y. 2016. Quantifiers in English Partitives. Natural Language and Linguistic Theory 34.4, 1493-1508. 10.1007/s11049-016-9330-3

[21] Shin, K. Y. 2025. Acquisition of L2 English Determiners and Quantifiers by Korean Learners: Evidence from a Learner Corpus. The Linguistic Association of Korea Journal 33.3, 129-151.

[22] Shin, Y. K. 2012. A New Look at Determiners in Early Grammar: Phrasal Quantifiers. Language Research 48.3, 573-608.

[23] Shin, Y. K., Cortes, V., and Yoo, I. W. 2018. Using Lexical Bundles as a Tool to Analyze Definite Article Use in L2 Academic Writing: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Second Language Writing 39, 29-41. 10.1016/j.jslw.2017.09.004

[24] Song, Y. 2015. L2 Processing of Plural Inflection in English. Language Learning 62.2, 233-267. 10.1111/lang.12100

[25] Yoo, I. W. and Shin, Y. K. 2020. Determiner Use in English Quantificational Expressions: A Corpus-Based Study. TESOL Quarterly 54.1, 90-117. 10.1002/tesq.539

The Journal of Studies in Language ISSN:1225-4770(Print) 2671-6151(Online) 언어연구

All Issue