Many questions and few answers: on conversion in English

Abstract

Conversion is a well-known word-formation process which, a priori, seems relatively easy to identify. However, a close look at its basics brings to light some critical questions which still remain unanswered to this day. The very nature of this operation, and the concepts of full and partial conversion are therefore here examined in the light of a need for explicit criteria for recognition of actual cases of conversion. Evidence supporting this need is supplied by a review of a variety of processes which have the same results as conversion when they operate on English adjectives and adverbs.