The theory of oppositions

the reduction of opposition

.this reduction may be of different character neutralization and transposition

Neutralisation is that type of a reduction of positions when the unmarked member functions as the marked one. Neutralization is stylistically neutral

e.g. in the opposition [cat-cats] the member cats is the marked one. Denoting plurality. But in the sentence[the cat is domestic animal] the word-form names a class of animals. And that implies plurality of the meaning of the marked member

it’s also observed when dealing with collective nouns in the opposition [family-families] – the 1^st member exp singularity and it is the unmarked member,but in the sentence [the family are confirmed theater-goers] this memberimplies plurality and it’s marked in the plural form of the predicate

Transposition is that type of the reduction of oppositions when the marked member is used instead of the unmarked one

transp. Usually brings about a certain stylistic colouring or effect

e.g. Helen is always complaining of headaches

in this sentence a repeated action is expressed. So we should have employed as non-continuous verb form to express it, which is the unmarked member of the opposition [complain-be complaining]

however, the unmarked member is used in thiscontext. And this adds emphasis to the utterance,which informs of the personal attitude of the speaker to the action or to the named situation – indignation, displeasure,care.