Week 3: Syntax Flashcards
Phrases
Clusters of words that dorm a grammatical unit but are smaller than clauses.
Clauses
A structural unit that is larger than a phrase and may constitute a simple sentence or a part of a complex sentence. Independent clauses stand on their own as a simple sentence, dependant clauses don’t stand on their own.
Sentence
A set of related words that stands on its own and consists of at least a subject and a predicate.
Simple Sentence
Contains a single independant clause. E.g I like butter.
Compound sentence
Contains two or more coordinated (independent clauses) , often using a coordinating conjunction. E.g I like butter and he likes margarine.
Complex sentence
Contains an independant clause and one or more dependant or subordinate clauses.
Compound-complex sentences
Contains two or more coordinated clauses and a subordinate clause.
Ellipsis
The omission of elements in a sentence because they either appear elsewhere or can be understood from the context.
Coordination
The combination of two or more elements - words, phrases or clauses - that are equal in status and function. Usually linked by coordinating conjunctions or punctuation.
Subordination
The combination of clauses or elements that are syntactically non-equivalent.
Declarative
A sentence that makes a statement.
Imperative
A sentence that commands, orders or issues a directive.
Interrogative
A sentence that poses a question.
Exclamative
Makes an exclamation or expresses emotion.
Subject
Who or what is doing, being or having the verb in a sentence.
Predicate
The verb and object in the sentence.
Object
What is being acted up (the verb) by the subject of the sentence.
Complement
Completes what is said about another element such as the subject - gives extra information about the subject, verb or object.
Adverbial
Words, phrases, clauses that function as adverbs - that is, give more information about the time, manner and place of the verb in the sentence.
