Glossary term I

Illocutionary Denegation

An illocutionary denegation is an illocutionary act that is made complex by the negation of its illocutionary force. It expresses that the speaker is not performing a particular illocutionary act.

(English)

I do not promise to come.

This illocutionary act contrasts with I promise not to come, in which the speaker does perform an illocutionary act.

  1. Searle and Vanderveken 1985, 4–5
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