Y-adjectives are English adjectives that end in an orthographic <y> and a /i/ sound, for example lazy. Deriving its hypotheses from previous corpus findings and construction-based principles to language study, the experiment here reported validates the benefit a comparative alternation account of y-adjectives will accrue from a consideration of more and -er constructions across disyllabic adjectives that are not y-ones (called the HANDSOME adjectives). Reading times related to the comparative constructions of morphologically complex and simple y-adjectives were collected before and after native speaker exposure to one of three treatments – a dialogue comprising multiple HANDSOME more constructions, a dialogue comprising multiple HANDSOME-er constructions, or a control condition. Processing of y-adjective more constructions was found eased with exposure to HANDSOME more constructions. This exposure moreover overrode an anticipated processing ease for simple y-adjective -er constructions, while an exposure to HANDSOME -er constructions overrode an anticipated processing ease for complex y-adjective more constructions. The findings support the value of a constructional approach to understanding y-adjective comparatives.

Kikuyugrass is an invasive, perennial weed of turf-grass in California. Currently, complete renovation of infested turf is the most practical means of control. A less disruptive method was needed to reduce the competitive ability of kikuyugrass while allowing the regrowth of desirable turf species. Treatment with MSMA, triclopyr, and quinclorac did not control kikuyugrass as single applications, but when applied at 4- to 5-wk intervals over a 5-mo period, kikuyugrass was reduced. Sequential applications of two-way combinations of these herbicides in 1991 resulted in reductions of kikuyugrass from 80% to less than 1% of the sward.