Understanding the Different Process Types in Language

When discussing process types in language, it refers to how actions, thoughts, relationships, and communication are expressed in sentences. Here’s a quick breakdown of the main types.

Material

These describe actions that produce a physical result. For example:
"Building a castle".
This type focuses on doing something in the real world that changes something physically.

Mental

These refer to thoughts, feelings, and mental states. For example:
"Thinking about a problem".
They highlight what’s happening inside the mind rather than in the physical world.

Relational

These express relationships between elements. For example:
"This topic is related to linguistics".
Instead of actions, they show how things connect or relate to each other.

Verbal

These cover communication through speech or writing. For example:
"She said she was ready".
They focus on sharing information, ideas, or opinions.

Behavioural

These describe behaviours or reactions. For example:
"Birds are singing".
They represent physical behaviours linked to living beings, often tied to senses or emotions.

Summary

Knowing process types helps understand how language works beyond just words. It reveals how people describe actions, feelings, connections, and communication which is super useful for studying texts and improving writing skills.

References

Hultgren, A. K. (Ed.). (2016). Grammar, Context, and Meaning. Walton Hall, Milton Keynes.