Infinitive-gerund alternations in Polish post-verbal complementation: a corpus-based study

The paper constitutes a contribution to semantically based research on the so called ‘syntactic alternations’, defined as “structurally and/or lexically different ways say functionally very similar things” (Gries 2017: 8). More specifically, study is concerned with Polish verbal predicates which accept both gerundive and infinitival complement, difference between these two alternatives being matter of construal or focus rather than any clear-cut semantic contrasts. Taking its point departure cognitive linguistic thesis that change in form always entails meaning, present seeks determine factors significantly affect choice one other complement type situations where are fully acceptable. provides an in-depth, corpus-based analysis three selected pairs constructions, offers new theory (referred reduced-increased involvement theory) explain choices speakers make respect constructions question.