How to do things with junk:Exaptation in language evolution

Abstract

Consider the interpretation of the sentences in (1)-(3) below.( 1 ) (a) John sneezed.(b) John played on the beach.(2 ) (a) John sneezed freguently.(b) John often played on the beach.(3 ) (a) John sneezed for two hours/years.(b) John played on the beach for two hours / years.