English orientating constructions denoting location: classification and article use

Abstract The paper singles out English orientating constructions which refer to constant coordinates meant to position situational changeable entities, e.g. at eye level , on hand , in part , in detail . The analysis of constructions denoting location reveals their entrenchment in mind in the basic – articleless – form representing situation coordinates on the superordinate categorization level. Orientating constructions have two discursive variants depending upon the article in their structure: definite and indefinite. The definite article refers to the reference points imposed by a particular situation which is signalled by the combination of orientating and extending constructions while the indefinite article points to the establishment of new coordinates.