intendedsuch

Intendedsuch is a term used in discourse analysis to describe a pragmatic strategy in which a speaker signals an intended generalization or expansion of a referenced category by using demonstratives or quantifiers such as such, such as, or such and such. The concept focuses on how the choice of these markers helps listeners infer that the scope of discussion extends beyond the explicitly listed items.

The mechanism relies on shared context and the hearer's ability to read the speaker's intends. When a speaker mentions a subset of examples and then uses a phrase like such concerns or such cases, the listener is expected to infer that a broader class is included. This inferential work depends on the surrounding discourse, prior knowledge, and cultural norms governing reference and categorization.

Examples illustrate the phenomenon. For instance, a policy brief might state, “We must address such concerns as fraud, bribery, and such misconduct.” Here, the speaker intends to extend the category to other forms of unethical behavior beyond those named. In a technical report, one might read, “The tool reduces delays, errors, and such inefficiencies in the workflow,” signaling an intended widening of the efficiency-related issues covered.

In practice, intendedsuch has implications for natural language processing, where systems must infer intended scope from sparse cues, and for legal and policy writing, where precise but flexible reference is desired. It also relates to broader topics in linguistics such as deixis, reference, and the use of demonstratives in signaling discourse structure.

See also: demonstratives, such as syntax, reference resolution, and such-and-such phrasing.