Syntax Flashcards
clause
syntactic unit situated between sentence and phrase in the analytic hierarchy and whose constituents fulfil the roles of clause constituents
phrase
- is situated between word and clause in syntactic analysis
- consists of one or several words
- does not have a (subject-object) structure
head
obligatory element of a phrase which can replace the construction as a whole within the sentence
subject
- obligatory in English (except for imperative clauses and non-finite
clauses) - stands in front of the predicate in active declarative clauses
- shows Subject-Verb concord
predicate
- obligatory in an active declarative clause
- comes after the subject in active declarative clauses
- Shows Subject-Verb concord
elements of clause structure in CGL
- Subject
- Verb
- Object
- Complement
- Adverbial
Object
- comes after the Verb in active English declarative sentences
- takes up the function of subject in corresponding passive clauses
Direct object: either the only object in a clause or the second object in a
clause with two objects.
Indirect object: object which comes before a direct object; can be replaced
by a PP with to or for
Complement
- comes after the predicate in declarative sentences
- cannot function as the subject in a corresponding passive clause
- can be replaced by adjective phrases
Adverbial
Clause constituent consisting of an adverb or a more complex element which
can be replaced by an adverb.
intransitive
SV
copula
SVC and SVA
transitive
SVO
ditransitive
SVOO
complex transitive
SVOC and SVOA
noun phrase
determinative
premodiefier
head
postmodifier
verb phrase
auxiliary verb
main verb
adjective phrase
premodifier
head
postmodifier
adverb phrase
premodifier
adverb
postmodifier
prepositional phrase
preposition
prepositional complement
preposition
of, at, in, without, in spite of
pronoun
he, they, anybody, one, which
determiner
the, a, that, every, some
conjunction
and, that, when, although
modal verb
can, must, will, could
primary verb
be, have, do
noun
John,, room, answer, play,
adjective
happy, steady, new, large, round
full verb
search, grow, play
adverb
steadily, completely, really
numerals
one, two, first, second
interjections
oh, ah, ugh, phew
Level of Function
- Clause Constituents (S;V; OD; OID; CS; CO)
- Phrase Constituents (dtm, prem, head, …)
Level of Form
- Clause ( finite Clause, wh-clause. that clause, …)
- Phrase (NP, VP, AdjP, AdvP)
- Word Classes (Noun, pronoun, determiner, adjective,
…)
that clauses (FC)
I noticed that he spoke English with an Australian accent .
relative clause (FC)
I know the man who you met at the concert
whether/ if clause (FC)
Do you know whether the banks are open?
wh-clauses (FC)
I don’t know when he left.
to infinitive-clause (NFC)
To be neutral in this conflict is out of the question.
He likes to relax
bare infitinitve- clause (NFC)
I heard someone slam the door.
Turn off the tap was all I did
-ing-participle clause (NFC)
He enjoys playing practical jokes.
Calling early, I found her at home.
I caught Ann reading my diary
-ed-participle clause (NFC)
The cigars smoked here tend to be expensive.
Called early, he ate a quick breakfast
