Abstract
The chapter investigates the constructional parameters utilized to convey verbal irony. It is suggested that there may be particular constructional properties and devices that facilitate irony. Constructions like if any, if anything, if anywhere, if at all, if a little + adjective or adverb, if ever, if I may, occur systematically and frequently. They appear in the beginning, in the middle or at the end of the utterance and are highly responsible for intense irony evocation. It will be claimed that these grammatical constructions enhance a special ironic effect. In fact, their elliptic character gives rise to even more intense irony. What will be discussed is how the grammatical form is employed to convey figurative meaning although its primary meaning is not figurative.
