Conclusion

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of the main findings and observations made in the case studies included in this book and draws attention to the methodological and theoretical considerations that are relevant to assessing the contributions of the studies to the broader knowledge on the variation of non-finite complement constructions in English. It is noted how diachronic and synchronic variation was seen in connection with different complement patterns with the help of large electronic corpora, and that both quantitative and qualitative analyses were applied to perceive not only the degrees of variation, but also factors potentially affecting the choice between constructions which are very similar in many respects. As regards the differences between complement constructions, evidence was found with some of the matrix predicates that supports the recently formulated Choice Principle with regard to the selection of infinitival and gerundial complements. The chapter also discusses the importance of balancing between quantitative and qualitative approaches, serving as the guiding principles of the studies in the present volume, and looks ahead to the possible avenues of further research.