VL3

Question 1

Grammar

Answer 1

• Central component of a model of how language works, how words combine into higher units such as phrases, constituents, clauses
• mental representation of speaker‘s mostly subconscious linguistic knowledge
• social processes of language standardisation

Question 2

Split infinitive

Answer 2

(To) watch him = infinitive
People started to separate it by putting an adverb in there that modifies the verb
English as an analytical language is tolerant in terms of verbal separation = no problem with split infinitives

Question 3

None of them are happy

Answer 3

Conservative people would say it is false, because none is seen as singular

Question 4

Disinterested

Answer 4

Used in the sense of uninterested, but incorrect, uninterested: indifferent, unconcerned

Question 5

Prescriptive

Answer 5

Grammar as a network of construction in which everything connects to everything

Question 6

Hard words

Answer 6

Words that borrow from prestigious languages (fe latin)

Question 7

Arbitrary words

Answer 7

Economical (thrifty) vs. Economic (anything to do with economy)

Question 8

Primary mechanisms in English to express grammatical function

Answer 8

• word order
• inflections
• grammatical function words (to, of)
• intonations

Question 9

German

Answer 9

Synthetic language (much more inflection than english)

Question 10

Category

Answer 10

Form

Question 11

Function

Answer 11

Role in grammatical context

Question 12

Category: NP „his left leg“
What are its functions?

Answer 12

1. complement of preposition in adverbial adjunct: I struck him on his left leg without meaning to
2. complement of preposition in NP post-modification: the ulcer on his left leg…
3. subject: His left leg caused him pain…

Question 13

Function: direct object

What categories?

Answer 13

1. to-infinitive clause: I want to go home.
2. NP: I didn’t see the lamp-post.
3. finite clause: I can see that you are tired.

Question 14

Clause:

Answer 14

ordered hierarchy of phrases/constituents

Question 15

Grammatical functions

Answer 15

• substitution (identifies constituents of clauses)
• question (identifies constituents of clauses, with different question words distinguishing functions of constituents)
• movement: usually restricted to individual consituents in English (in the shop window I tried on the red dress vs. * the red in the shop window I tried on dress.)
• passivisation: identifies objects
• cleft-sentence: highlights only one constituent (It was (the red dress) that I tried on in the shop window.)

Question 16

Question

Answer 16

Identifies constituents of clauses, with different words distinguishing functions of constituents

Question 17

Passivisation

Answer 17

Identifies objects

Question 18

Cleft-sentence

Answer 18

Highlights only one constituent

Question 19

Finite verb

Answer 19

Expresses tense, „limits“ the person

Question 20

The kids have to return home before 10pm.

Answer 20

Finite main clause

Question 21

… unless the kids return home before 10pm.

Answer 21

+ conjunction
… unless the kids return home before 10pm.
Finite subordninate clause

Question 22

I wouldn’t mind (returning home before 10pm).
What do I mind?

Answer 22

Nonfinite subordinate clause

Question 23

A sinister-looking individual stood in the doorway, (their hands deep in their pockets).

Answer 23

Rare structure, but nethertheless a clause
=verbless clause

Question 24

Left-Branching

Answer 24

German

Question 25

Right-branching

Answer 25

English

Question 26

Structure of the noun phrase

Answer 26

1. determiners
2. premodification
3. head
4. postmodification

Question 27

The book

Answer 27

Count noun
Singular with the

Question 28

A/one book

Answer 28

Count noun, singular with one

Question 29

Two books

Answer 29

Count noun, singular with two

Question 30

Information

Answer 30

Non-count noun, singular with the

Question 31

*One information

Answer 31

Non-count noun
Singular with one

Question 32

*two informations

Answer 32

Non-count noun, singular with two