Syntax and Module Flashcards
Syntax
The study of structure and rules of sentence formation in a language, focusing on how words combine into phrases and phrases into sentences
Constituents
Words or groups of words that function as a single unit within a hierarchical structure in a sentence
Transitive verbs
Verbs that require a diirect object to complete their meaning
Intransitive verbs
Verbs that do not require a direct object and can stand alone
Pronominalisation
The process of replacing a noun phrase with a pronoun, often used as a test for identifying constituents
Predicative Complements
Elements in the predicate that provide additional informantion about the subject or object, often after linking verbs
Coordination Test
A method for identifying constituents by combinging two elements of the same type with a coordinating conjunction
Gapping
A syntactic phenomenon where repeated elements are omitted in parallel clauses
Sentence Fragment Test
A diagnostic tool for determining if a group of words forms a constituent by checking if it can stand alone as a sentence fragment in response to a question
Structural Ambiguity
When a sentence has more than one possible interpretation due to its structure
Noun Phrases
Phrases centered around a noun, which can function as subjects, objects, or complements
Prepositional Phrases
Phrases starting with a preposition typically followed by a noun phrase, functioning as modifiers or complements
Adjective Phrases
Phrases centered around an adjective, often modifying a noun
Adverb Phrases
Phrases centered around an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs
Projections
The extension of a word into a phrase that includes additional modifiers or complements
Word-Classes
Categories of words based on their syntactic and morphological behavior
Lexical Categories
The same as word classes, referring to the basic categories of words that function as the core building blocks of syntax
Determiners
Words that introduce and specify nouns
Phrase Structure Rules
Formal rules describing how words and phrases are organized into syntactic structures
Subordinate Clauses
Clauses that function as part of a larger sentence, often introduced by subordinating conjunctions
Predicate
The part of a sentence that contains the verb and provides information about the subject
Appalachian English
A dialect often linked to stereotypes or myths about its origins
Elizabethan English
Language of Shakespeare’s era, inaccurately thought to be preserved in Appalachia
Dialects
Regional or social variations of a language
