Pourquoi peut-on dire Max est en colère mais non *Max est en peur ? Hypothèses sur la construction être en N

Abstract

D. Leeman Fear and anger are usually classified as "nouns of feeling", but whereas it is possible to say Max est en colère we cannot say Max est en peur : we could then propose the hypothesis according to which/èar and anger do not refer to the same type of feeling. Rather than trying to define the noun, it seems more appropriate to characterize the structure in which it occurs : so we propose a hypothesis for the construction be in N which takes into consideration its two constituents in and be. It allows us to explain why a definite list of nouns can appear in this context. The criteria generally advanced to define a class "nouns of feeling" are then questioned. according to which/èar and anger do not refer to the same type of feeling. Rather than trying to define the noun, it seems more appropriate to characterize the structure in which it occurs : so we propose a hypothesis for the construction be in N which takes into consideration its two constituents in and be. It allows us to explain why a definite list of nouns can appear in this context. The criteria generally advanced to define a class "nouns of feeling" are then questioned.