conative (adj.)

A term used by some linguists to refer to a general type of LINGUISTIC FUNCTION – the use of language in order to achieve a result in an addressee, in accord with the speaker’s wishes. Its use is illustrated by a range of DIRECTIVE functions (e.g. COMMANDS, VOCATIVES), but its precise sense needs to take into account the range of other functions recognized by the theory in which it is used – in particular, the contrast which is often made between conative and EXPRESSIVE (personal) and REFERENTIAL (situational) functions.