Word order Flashcards
What is the basic word order in English?
SVO
SVO stands for Subject-Verb-Object, which is the most common structure in English sentences.
What does ‘Functional sentence perspective’ refer to?
Theme-rheme structure that emphasizes different parts of a sentence
The theme is the topic of the sentence, while the rheme provides new information about the topic.
What are the types of clause patterns in English?
- SV (intransitive)
- SVO (monotransitive)
- SVC (linking, copular)
- SVOiOd (ditransitive)
- SVOdCo (complex transitive)
- SVA (linking, copular)
- SVOdA (complex transitive)
These patterns describe how subjects, verbs, and objects interact in sentences.
What is an example of an intransitive verb clause?
Mary is crying.
In this example, ‘is crying’ does not require an object.
Fill in the blank: The clause pattern SVC consists of a _____, a verb, and a complement.
[Subject]
The complement provides additional information about the subject.
What is the purpose of inversion in English grammar?
To form questions or emphasize certain sentence elements
Inversion often involves the operator moving before the subject.
True or False: Fronting involves moving any item into initial position to emphasize it.
True
This can include negative items or any clause element.
What is extraposition in English grammar?
Anticipatory ‘it’ used to postpone the subject or object
Extraposition can make sentences more fluid by delaying the main clause elements.
What is an example of a cleft sentence?
It was Mary who missed the class yesterday.
Cleft sentences help emphasize a particular part of the sentence.
What does the existential ‘there is’ construction indicate?
Existence or presence of something
It introduces the subject as a dummy theme.
Fill in the blank: Passive sentences shift focus from the doer to the _____ in the sentence.
[action or recipient]
This structure highlights the action rather than the subject performing it.
What is an example of ellipsis in English?
Sorry.
This is a shortened form of ‘I am sorry.’
What type of clause pattern is used in the sentence ‘I gave John a book’?
SVOiOd (ditransitive)
This structure includes an indirect object (John) and a direct object (a book).
What does the term ‘variations on clause patterns’ include?
- Inversion
- Fronting
- Extraposition
- Cleft sentences
- Existential ‘there is’
- Passive sentences
- Ellipses
These variations add complexity and flexibility to sentence structures.
What is the function of a linking verb in SVC clauses?
To connect the subject to a subject complement
Linking verbs do not show action but rather state a condition.
Fill in the blank: In conditional clauses, the structure is often more _____ than in regular statements.
[formal]
Examples include ‘Should you have any questions…’ or ‘Were we to find your bag…’.
