| Abstract | 第7-8页 |
| 摘要 | 第9-11页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第11-16页 |
| 1.1 Rationales of the study | 第11-12页 |
| 1.2 Research questions | 第12-13页 |
| 1.3 Research methods | 第13-14页 |
| 1.4 The layout of the paper | 第14-16页 |
| Chapter Two Literature review | 第16-36页 |
| 2.1 English existential sentences | 第16-21页 |
| 2.1.1 The definition | 第16-19页 |
| 2.1.2 The classification | 第19-21页 |
| 2.2 Previous studies on English existential sentences | 第21-34页 |
| 2.2.1 Descriptivist approach | 第21-24页 |
| 2.2.2 Generativist approach | 第24-27页 |
| 2.2.3 Functionalist approach | 第27-29页 |
| 2.2.4 Pragmatic approach | 第29-30页 |
| 2.2.5 Cognitive approach | 第30-34页 |
| 2.3 Summary | 第34-36页 |
| Chapter Three Theoretical foundation | 第36-42页 |
| 3.1 Categorization and prototype theory | 第36-37页 |
| 3.2 Langacker's cognitive grammar | 第37-42页 |
| 3.2.1 General introduction | 第37-39页 |
| 3.2.2 Valency theory | 第39-40页 |
| 3.2.3 Bounding of nominal predications | 第40-42页 |
| Chapter Four An analysis of the construal mechanism of prototypical existential sentences | 第42-55页 |
| 4.1 The prototype of English existential sentences | 第42-43页 |
| 4.2 The construal mechanism of English existential sentences | 第43-55页 |
| 4.2.1 Prominence of existential essence | 第43-46页 |
| 4.2.2 Attention shift and existential presupposition of localization | 第46-48页 |
| 4.2.3 Bounding of trajectors and landmarks | 第48-50页 |
| 4.2.4 Conceptualization of trajectors and landmarks | 第50-52页 |
| 4.2.5 Priority of tense and aspect | 第52-55页 |
| Chapter Five An analysis of the construal mechanism of non-prototypical existential sentences | 第55-66页 |
| 5.1 Existential sentences with other verbs | 第55-58页 |
| 5.2 Existential sentences with definite NP | 第58-60页 |
| 5.3 Non-extended existential sentences | 第60-62页 |
| 5.4 Here-constructions | 第62-66页 |
| Chapter Six Conclusion | 第66-69页 |
| 6.1 Major findings | 第66-68页 |
| 6.2 Limitations and suggestions for researches in future | 第68-69页 |
| References | 第69-74页 |
