MT2 - syntax Flashcards
syntax
the study of how we put words together into sentences
constituent structure
something that functions as a unit in a sentence
projections and 4 parts
phrases governed by word class (ex. NP, VP), head/complement/adjunct/specifier
head
the fundamental word in each phrase
complement
something we must add
adjunct
an optional addition
specifier
ex. determiners for a NP, closed class, sister to an X’ and daughter to an XP
NP
(Det) (AP)* N (PP)
AP
(Deg) (Adv) A
degree words (3 examples)
very, more, most
AdvP (formula and what they can modify)
(Deg) Adv (PP), anything except nouns
PP
P NP
VP
(Aux) V (NP) (NP) (AdvP)* (PP)*
intransitive verbs
don’t require any complements
transitive verbs
require 1 NP as complement
ditransitive verbs
require 2 complements
prepositional verbs
require 1 PP as complement
object
the complement of a verb, if it is a N/NP
constituency tests
tests used to determine if a string of words forms a constituent
5 examples of constituency tests
i) substitution (sub ONE in NP or DID/DID SO in VP)
ii) passive test
iii) fragment (question) test
[i-iii: head + complements will stick together]
iv) parallel test (can you repeat?)
v) stick something between head & complement
syntax trees
a set of claims about constituent structures, or an interpretation of the sentence
6 terms about syntax trees
branches, nodes, sisters, mothers, immediately dominate, daughters
X-bar theory and structure
X’ is a constituent structure found between word classes and phrases
…you know the structure…
complex sentences (definition and formula)
have more than one clause
= main clause + subordinate clause(s)
clause
a syntactic unit with a subject and predicate
independent clause
can stand on its own
every clause includes a …, and therefore a … in its …
VP, verb, predicate
independent clauses must contain a … (+ its defn)
finite verb - marked for tense/person/#/aspect/etc.
auxiliary verbs
verbs used in forming tenses/moods/voices of other verbs
modal auxiliaries
express possibility/permission/ability (can/shall/may/will)
aspectual auxiliaries
express aspect/whether something is completed/continuous (is/have)
infinitive verb (definition and what it is placed after)
non-finite, non-marked, “general” form of verb.
placed after “to” or a modal aux
participles
often used with aspectual aux
present participle -ing
past participles are often used as adjectives
subordinate clause (aka 2) (definition)
aka embedded or dependent clause
can’t stand alone as a complete sentence
relative clause (definition and “often uses …”
subordinate clauses that modify a head noun
often uses conjunction who/which/that, but can also be CONTACT RELATIVE
