Clutching "V at" construction
Form
NP
Holder
Verb
at
NP
Item
Examples
Holder
She
Verb
snatched
at
at
Item
[the cord of the light switch.]
Meaning
A Holder holds, takes, or attempts to take an Item firmly, typically making broad gestures or using force.
Roles
Holder
The person that is holding the Item or tries to take hold of it.
Item
The thing that the Holder holds, takes, or attempts to take.
Frames
Inherits from
Sub-constructions
Lexical items ( Verb slot)
Manipulation
clutch
Nell clutched at her chest, trying to stem the rising swell of nausea.
grab
Both his hands grabbed at her thick, flowing hair so that she was trapped.
grasp
They grasped at bushes to get their laden bodies up.
Lexical items without a frame:
snatch
She snatched at the cord of the light switch.