Complements and Adjuncts

Question 1

What is a complement?

Answer 1

An obligatory dependant

Question 2

What are complements and adjuncts variants of?

Answer 2

Both are types of dependents

Question 3

What are adjuncts?

Answer 3

Optional phrases that modify a sentence, which are added to the predicate

Question 4

What is a predicate?

Answer 4

A verb and all info attached to it

ate+at her desk

Question 5

Give an example of a phrase with a COMPLEMENT and an (adjunct)

Answer 5

Everyone admires MALALA (because of her resolve)

Question 6

How does word class influence complements?

Answer 6

Transitive verbs such as admires and prepositions such as into require a NP as a complement

Question 7

What is the difference between complements and adjuncts?

Answer 7

Complements are selected by the head, whilst adjuncts are optional extra information

Question 8

How are complements restricted? Give examples

Answer 8

There can only be one in a particular spot

• the student bought THE TEXTBOOK
• the student bough THE TEXTBOOK SOME NEW SHOES

Question 9

Are adjuncts restricted?

Answer 9

No, adjuncts can be added as desired

I bought shoes (yesterday) (for only £10)

Question 10

Give examples of different word classes that can form adjuncts

Answer 10

NP - Gatha will sing (next week)
PP - Gatha sang (for many years)
AdvP- Gatha sang (beautifully)
Clause - (if you’re leaving early) please get out quitely