_EXTHERE Existential there + BE

Definition

Helper feature matching existential “there” (EX) followed by a form of BE within 1-2 positions. Used to exclude existential constructions from BEMA.

Detection Rules

mfte

Matches “there is/was/are” etc. where EX immediately precedes BE or is separated by one token (e.g., “there really is”). Anchors on BE (last) so index overlaps with BEMA for exclusion. refines=VB ensures this is detected in Pass 1 alongside BEMA. Replicates MFTE’s check of words[j-1] and words[j-2] for _EX tag.

p1 
cql[pos="EX"] [lemma="be" & pos="VB.*"]
p2 
cql[pos="EX"] [] [lemma="be" & pos="VB.*"]
combine: p1 | p2

Requires: lemma, pos

Refines: VB

Normalization

Per words

Sources

  • mfte — Le Foll, Elen & Shakir, Muhammad (2023/2025) : Multi-Feature Tagger of English (MFTE) — Python version

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