Table 3 Expressive items
Words | Grammatical category | In entire corpus | In descriptions of virtuous/vicious circles | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
# of items | # of items descriptions | % of usage | ||
sh**, ass****, f*** | adj./noun | 12 | 12 | 100.0% |
Tough, hard | adj. | 19 | 18 | 94.7% |
Not good | adj. | 43 | 27 | 62.8% |
Very (x1, x2, x3) | adv. | 299 | 183 | 61.2% |
GOOD | adj. | 347 | 202 | 58.2% |
TOO (LATE/MUCH/LITTLE) | adv. | 109 | 61 | 56.0% |
A LOT, MUCH | adv. | 193 | 105 | 54.4% |
!(!!) | adv. | 194 | 105 | 54.1% |
COMPLICATED/DIFFICULT | adj. | 339 | 181 | 53.4% |
(WOULD) LOVE (TO) | verb | 45 | 24 | 53.3% |
UNFORTUNATE/LY | adj./adv. | 35 | 18 | 51.4% |
REALLY | adv. | 190 | 93 | 48.9% |
HURT, WRONG, BAD/BADLY | adj./adv. | 142 | 67 | 47.2% |
LITTLE/FEW | adj. | 177 | 83 | 46.9% |
Afraid/fear | adj./noun | 64 | 26 | 40.6% |
Pain(ful) | adj./noun | 172 | 65 | 37.8% |