Claiming common ground with utterance-final particle <i>hoor</i> in Dutch

Abstract In this article we conduct a pragmatic analysis of the Dutch utterance-final particle hoor (lit. ‘hear’). Apparently, has contradictory uses. It ex-presses politeness (involvement, togetherness), but it can also contribute to face-threatening force an utterance. We argue that there is core meaning all uses share, which by adding , speakers claim proposition at issue be part common ground. This will shown account for ’s key characteristics. Hoor expresses involvement and often attached speech acts are intrinsically polite, such as apologizing giving compliments. Also, while never occurs in interrogative sentences, used with certain type directive acts, namely those interest hearer or presented having shared interests.