Syntax Flashcards
Common Noun
a generic individual of a class (boy, desk, chair, tree, etc.)
Proper Noun
a specific individual of a class (John, the Taj Mahal, Snoopy, etc.)
Count Noun
has a referent that can be counted (boy, boys; desk, desks; tree, trees)
Mass Noun
has a referent that cannot be counted (milk, money , silver, gold, water)
Collective Noun
can be considered singly or as a group (club, committee, team, group, etc.)
Concrete Noun
the referent has a physical existence (book, television, computer, pen)
Abstract Noun
the referent is a quality (love, fear, air, space, idea)
Even though it is only October
adverbials
Form Class Words
the words necessary to convey meaining in English scentences:
nouns
verbs
adjectives
adverbs
Structure Class Words
Cannot be changed
Support Structure Class Words
Nine Scentence Patterns of English
N1 Vbe N1
N1 Vbe Adj
N1 Vbe Adv
N1 Vlk N1
N1 Vlk adj
N1 Vtr N2
N1 Vtr N3 N2
N1 Vtr N2 N2
N1 Vin__ adv
N1 Vbe N1
The pattern consists of a subject, a form of the verb “be” as the main verb, and a subject complement.
N<sup>1</sup> (SV) V<sup>be</sup> N<sup>1</sup> (SC)
Mary is my best friend.
N<sup>1</sup> (SV) V<sup>be</sup> N<sup>1</sup> (SC)
Mrs. Horton is my Advanced Grammar instructor.
N<sup>1</sup> (SV) V<sup>be </sup> <sup> </sup> N<sup>1</sup> (SC)
Billie Holiday was a famous singer.
(SV)
a noun that is a subject of a verb
(SC)
Subject Compliment
N1 Vbe Adj
This pattern consists of subject, a form of “be” as a main verb, and a predicate adjective.
N<sup>1</sup> V<sup>be</sup> Adj (PA)
That lady is so funny.
Adj (PA)
Predicate Adjective
N1 Vbe Adv
This pattern includes a subjects, a forb of “be” as main verb, and an adverb.
N<sup>1</sup> V<sup>be</sup> Adv
Spring is here.
N<sup>1</sup> V<sup>be</sup> Adv
Spring is in the air
Vtr
you have a noun that is recieveing an action
Identify the scentence pattern:
Mrs. Horton is my Advanced Grammar instructor.
N1 (SV) Vbe N1 (SC)
Mrs. Horton is my Advanced Grammar instructor.
Identify the scentence pattern:
The ballerina was a Russian woman.
N1 (SV) Vbe N1 (SC)
The ballerina was a Russain woman.
Identify the scentence pattern:
My pediatrician had only been a doctor for two years the first time I saw him.
N1 (SV) Vbe N1 (SC)
My pediatrician had only been a doctor for two years the first time I went there.
Miss USA was very pretty.
N1 Vbe Adj
Miss USA was very pretty.
Identify the Scentecne Structure
The moon was behind the trees
N1 Vbe Adv
The moon was behind the trees
Identify the Scentecne Structure:
England is far away
N1 Vbe Adv
England is far away
N1VlkN1
Contains a subject, alink verb such as become, remains, seems, etc., and a predicative nominative (subject complement)
N<sup>1</sup> Vl<sup>k</sup> N<sup>1</sup>
THe little boy became a fireman when he grew up.
Identify the scentence pattern:
Mary remains my best friend after twenty years of putting up with me.
N1VlkN1
N1 Vlk N1
Mary remains my best friend after twenty years of putting up with me.
N1VlkAdj
This pattern contains a subject, linking verb such as becomes, tastes, seems, smells, grows, etc. and a predicate adjective.
N<sup>1</sup> V<sup>lk</sup> Adj
This bread tastes stale.
N1VTrN2
This pattern contains a subject, an action verb, and a direct objects of the verb.
N<sup>1</sup> V<sup>tr</sup> N<sup>2</sup>
John hit a home run.
N1VtrN3N2
This pattern contains a subject, an action verb, a direct object, and an indirect object (for whom or what something is given, said, or done). Some verbs this pattern will take include tell, give, make, do, ask, play, build, teach, assign, send, etc.
N<sup>1</sup> V<sup>tr</sup> N<sup>3</sup> N<sup>2</sup>
The teacher gave the class a new assignment
Identify the scentence pattern:
She seems unhappy
N1VlkAdj
N<sup>1</sup> V<sup>lk</sup> Adj
She seems unhappy.
Identify the scentence pattern:
The tiger prowled the jungle.
N1VtrN2
N<sup>1</sup> V<sup>tr</sup> N<sup>2</sup>
The tiger prowled the jungle.
Identify the Scentence Pattern:
My granddaughter made me a Valentine.
N1VtrN3N2
N<sup>1</sup> V<sup>tr</sup> N<sup>3</sup> N<sup>2</sup>
My granddaughter made me a Valentine.
N1VTrN2N2
This pattern consists of a subject, an action verb, a direct object, and an object complement (which does not always have to be a noun) Such verbs as choose, elect, select, appoint, deem, judge, etc. are used in this pattern.
N<sup>1</sup> V<sup>tr</sup> N<sup>2</sup> n<sup>2</sup>
His trial made O.J. Simpson a household name.
Identify the scentence pattern:
Identify the judge slected Mrs. Word court stenographer.
N1VtrN2N2
Identify the judge slected Mrs. Word court stenographer.
N1Vlm-Adv
This pattern contains a subject and an action verb, but does not have a direct object. Anything that folllows the verb is adverbial in nature.
Birds flew though the trees.
Identify the scentence Pattern:
She dances well.
N1Vlm-Adv
