*Syntax Flashcards
The part of the sentence that goes before or after the head, can either be pre or post _____.
Dependent
A central word in a phrase that determines its grammatical category and function. E.g. The tall man.
Head
A group of words that work together as a unit, centred around a main element and function as a single part of speech within a sentence
Phrase
Any word, phrase or clause that provides more information about another word or group of words in a sentence. They can be single words (e.g. Adjectives or adverbs) or larger structures (e.g. Phrases or clauses). E.g. red in “The red car speeds past” or quickly in “She ran quickly to the door”.
Modifier
Words or morphemes that indicate the aspect of the verb, showing how an action, event or state unfolds over time. Unlike tense which refers to when an action happens, it determines the nature of the action.
Aspect Marker
An adverbial, modifying word (usually an adverb) that strengthens or weakens the meaning of an adjective, adverb or verb.
Intensifier
Phrase
Head: Noun/pronoun.
Example: “The tall man”.
Noun Phrase
Modifiers: Determiners, adjectives and prepositional phrases.
Phrase
Head: Main Verb.
Example: “She (has been reading a book) all afternoon”.
Verb Phrase
Auxilliary Verbs: Modals, aspect markers (e.g. Has been running).
Phrase
Head: Adjective.
Example: “Extremely happy”.
Adjective Phrase
Modifiers: Adverbs, prepositional phrases, intensifiers (very quiet).
Phrase
Head: Adverb.
Example: Quite quickly.
Adverb Phrase
Modifiers: Other adverbs, intensifiers (rather, too).
Phrase
Head: Preposition.
Example: “In the park”
Prepositional Phrase
Modifiers: Noun phrase or pronoun
The noun phrase or pronoun that performs the action or is described that typically occurs before the verb. E.g The cat sleeps.
Subject (S)
The entity affected by the verb that typically comes after the verb. E.g. She kicked the ball.
Object (O)
Recieves the action, e.g. She ate an apple.
Direct Object (DO)
Recieves the direct object, e.g. She gave him an apple.
Indirect Object (IO)
Gives more information about the subject or object,
Complement (C)
Positive Test: Can you replace it with an = or ≈ sign.
Describes the subject, e.g. She is tired.
Subject Complement (SC)
Describes the object, e.g. They made her president.
Object Complement (OC)
Provides information about time, place, manner, etc. E.g. She left yesterday.
Adverbial (A)
Positive Test: Does it answer how, when, where, why or to what extent.
The action of the sentence. The part that affects the subject and involves anything outside the subject, marked by a predicator (verb).
Predicate (P)
The verb or verb phrase that functions as the central element of the predicate. E.g. She ate an apple quickly.
Predicator
A group of words that contains a subject and a predicate.
Clause
A clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence. Must have both a subject and predicate.
Independent Clause
A clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and depends on an independent clause to provide meaning. Must have both a subject and predicate.
Dependent (subordinate) Clause
