Syntax Flashcards
What does every sentence consist of?
A verb phrase and a noun phrase
Noun Phrase
Determinative, Premodifier, head, postmodifier
* the damp chill
Verb Phrase
Auxiliary Verb, Main Verb
* was laughing
Prepositional Phrase
Prepositional, Prepositional Complement
* in the fridge
Adjective Phrase
Premodifier, head, postmodifier
* very old
Adverb Phrase
Premodifier, head, postmodifier
* rather fluffly
Attributes of a Phrase
Head:
* obligatory,
* determines the type of phrase
Modifiers:
* Optional
* Can’t stand on their own
Phrases can have phrases within them
How can I identify phrases
-
Fronting: you can move phrase as a
whole - Substitution: phrase can be substituted by single word
- Coordination: constiuents of the same kind can be joined by coordinating conjunctions (‘and’ & ‘or’)
What is a Main Clause
- Can stand on its own
- Contains finite verb
- Can be modified by subordiante clause
What is a Subordinate Cluase
- Can’t stand on it’s own
- Modify or expand clause
- usually introduced by subordiante conjunction
What is the herarchical structure of english
sentences > clauses >
phrases > words > morphemes > phonemes
What are the 3 Functional types of sentences?
declarative sentences: statements
* I go home.
interrogative sentences: questions
* How are you?
imperative sentenece: command, do not need overt subject, predicate + object
* Don’t do that! Go away!
Interogative Sentences Types
Yes No Questions
* Auxialry verb Moves before the subject
* Or use Does
Tag Questions
* At the end of declaritve Sentences
* Ask for conformation
* Reverse Polarity
Wh- Questions
* Where, Why What, Who, Which, When, Whose, How
Imperative Sentences
Does not need a subject
* Permission
* Prohibition
* Advice
* Imporation
What are the 3 Forms of Sentences
simple senteces: one main clause
compound sentences: consist of at least two main clauses
complex sentences: one main clause + at least one subordinate clause
What are the 7 basic Sentence patterns
SV
* The girl laughs.
SVO
* The girl dressed the baby.
SVC
* The girl seemed very happy.
SVA
* The girl sits on the chair.
SVOO
* The girl gave her friend (Oi) a present. (Od)
SVOC
* The girl considered him really handsome.
SVOA
* The girl spent all her life in the city.
How to Define Adverbial
Time, place, manner (how), condition (if), cause (because), concession (although), purpose (in order)
Intransitive vs Transitive Verbs
Transitive: verb requires at least one object
* Her brother buys
Intransitive: verb doesn’t require an object
* The girl laughed
What are Auxiliary, Modal, Primary and main Verbs
Main Verbs:
* all the Normal Verbs
Auxiliary Verbs: (helper verbs)
* Modal Verbs: can, could, may, might,must, shall,should, will, would
* Primary Verbs: be, have, do
* can also be main verbs
Finite vs Non-Finite Verbs
Finite verbs
- indicate tense markings (past and present)
Non-finite verbs:
- not tensed
- present participle /-ing form
- past participle
- infinitive
Copular/Linking verbs
- Copular verbs establish a link between the subject of a sentence and a certain property or attribute.
- After a copular verb: always a subject complement
- Most Common: be, seem, look, remain, turn, grow, smell, become, feel, sound, stay
