Abstract: According to the metaphorical theory in functional grammar and the iconicity principle in cognitive linguistics, two prototype forms of transferred negatives can be considered as the results of the metaphor of modality, and basically, it is cognitively motivated. While the non-prototype forms have no relationship with metaphor, they are still motivated. To enhance learners’understanding, this article analyzes its corresponding Chinese forms based on a Chinese corpus.

Key words: metaphoricaltheory, iconicityprinciple, transferrednegatives, prototypeforms, Chinesecorpus