LEPINGUTE LAUSESTRUKTUUR
The sentence structure of contracts

Summary/Abstract: The boundaries of a genre are determined by a quantitative analysis of sentence structure. An in-depth analysis of sentences indicates that contracts are difficult to read and comprehend because of the length and complexity of sentences. In order to specify the rights and obligations of the contracting parties, as much information as possible is assembled into a single sentence with the use of inserted, co-ordinated, and subordinated relationships – sentences include numerous participle constructions, nominalizations, and constructions without predicates. For that reason, the main clauses are overburdened with information. The subordinate clauses are also full of information, but they have a simple hierarchical structure. Considering that the main type of clause is the simple sentence, the role of subordinated clauses is rather modest. Parenthetic clauses are also characteristic of contracts; they are used to include substantial clarifications, which further complicates sentence structure. The characteristics of a genre can be delineated by comparing it with other genres.

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