Look "V n n" construction
Form
NP
Looker
Verb
NP
Target
a
N
Examples
Looker
She
Verb
shot
Target
Tom
a
[a glance.]
Meaning
A Looker turns their gaze towards a Target, typically quickly or furtively.
Roles
Looker
The person who directs their attention at the Target.
Target
The person to whom the Looker directs their attention.
Frames
Description
This sub-construction of the Giving "V n n" construction corresponds to expressions with a verb of ballistic motion like cast, throw, and shoot, and a noun referring to an act of looking (look, glance) filling the Theme role. The interpretation involves the Giving "V n n" construction in a figurative way: the Target "receives" the Agent's look or glance in the sense that they are being looked at by the Agent. This construction differs from using verbs of looking like look or glance in that it implies that the act of looking is done quickly or furtively.
Inherits from
Sub-constructions
Lexical items ( Verb slot)
Lexical items without a frame:
cast
Shirley cast them a disgruntled look.
throw
The lady threw Thierry a glance.
shoot
She shot Tom a glance.