Langages - Année 1998 - Volume 32 - Numéro 131 - Pages 56-63The aim of the paper is to propose a classification of complex event nouns based on event structure. The claim is made that the event structure of verbs can be identified on the basis of the compatibility of verbs with temporal adverbiale. In addition to the traditionally used in — and for — adverbiale one has to take into consideration punctual adverbiale (e.g. à deux heures at two o'clock), durative adverbiale which denote the duration of a consequent state (e.g. pour une durée de deux heures for two hours) and continuative adverbiale (e.g. de deux ans by two years). This classification yields at least nine event types. Since the event structure of verbs is inherited by complex event nouns , it is concluded that in French there must be at least nine different types of such nouns. 8 pages Source : Persée ; Ministère de la jeunesse, de l’éducation nationale et de la recherche, Direction de l’enseignement supérieur, Sous-direction des bibliothèques et de la documentation.