Elemental Metaphor Syndrome: Figure ==> Element

Halliday & Matthiessen (1999: 250-2):

(I) Figure ==> Element

Here a figure is being construed metaphorically on the model of a participant: grammatically, the figure is construed not as a clause but as a nominal group. There is a shift in rank from figure to element, and concomitantly a shift in status among the elements making up the construction.

he was arrested by the police ==> his arrest by the police

(...) bond rapidly ==> rapid bonding occurs

the group decided yesterday ==> yesterday's decision by the group

the accused appeared to be innocent ==> the apparent innocence of the accused

he argues cogently ==> the cogency of his argument