【摘要】:A central claim of Cognitive Grammar is that basic grammatical categories,such as noun and verb,have conceptual characterizations valid for all members.The standard argument against this position is invalid.The proposed characterizations rely only on basic cognitive abilities that are clearly evident on non-linguistic grounds.Responses are made to arguments against the proposal as well as to putative alternatives.It is shown in specific detail how the characterization offered for nouns applies to a broad range of cases.