The Use Of Too As A Presupposition Trigger

This paper is intended to make a detailed study of too in the framework of presupposition. It aims to probe its use as a presupposition trigger bordering on semantics and pragmatics. In so doing, it is hoped to solve a great many problems which can not be convincingly pervasive in traditional grammar.First of all, the use of too is discussed in the framework of traditional grammar, including its grammatical nature, its function in sentences, its position in sentences and the structures of too-sentences.The study of too in the framework of presupposition can be conducted in two approaches: semantic and pragmatic. In semantics, too can be considered as a presuppositional particle. Triggered by too, sentences have some characteristics: indefiniteness and implicitness. The additive meaning of too is also discussed in this chapter.In pragmatics, too is considered as a pragmatic presupposition trigger. It can express the discriminational meaning in everyday conversation. At the same time, too also plays an essential role in textual organization and information flow in discourse.Finally, it is indicated that by making a research on adverb too, we can find that the use of too which involves an interface of semantics and pragmatics can be approached from a perspective of presupposition.