The broader framework of speech-act theory, which Alston refines, identifies three distinct layers of an utterance:
Illocutionary Acts and Sentence Meaning by William P. Alston
Utterances that express a psychological state, such as apologizing or congratulating. Illocutionary Acts and Sentence Meaning
Attempts to get the listener to do something, such as requesting or commanding.
'ing). When a speaker utters a sentence, they take responsibility for certain conditions being true (e.g., in a request to open a window, the speaker is responsible for the condition that the window is actually closed). Taxonomy of Speech Acts The broader framework of speech-act theory, which Alston
Acts that bring about a change in status or state simply by being uttered, such as marrying a couple or adjourning a meeting. Key Components of a Speech Act
A sentence like "It's locked" has a basic meaning because it is usable to perform the act of asserting that something is locked. Key Components of a Speech Act A sentence
Alston’s central thesis is that for a sentence to have a particular meaning is for it to be to perform illocutionary acts of a matching type.