A Corpus-Based Study: A Comparison between Native Speakers and Chinese EFL Learners in Using Adjectives in Argumentative Writings

The purpose of this study is to explore the differences in using adjectives between native speakers and Chinese EFL learners at beginner intermediate levels, with research data taken from three sub-written corpora ICNALE, written corpus A2 B1 levels. coded by UAM Corpus tool, version 3.2. result presented two aspects, namely, overall frequencies specific overused underused wordings. reveals that compared speakers, writers tend employ are vaguer general meaning. More importantly, learners’ lexical accuracy needs be improved, as wordings shows some used inappropriately writing excerpts. However, terms richness, don’t show a significant variation adjectives, which differs findings previous studies. comparison wider range higher leveled vocabulary, major marker many standard English tests. finally proposes pedagogical implications for language teachers improve writers’ vocabulary variety well accuracy, key point teach most essential academic under syntactical grammatical context.