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Questions and Answers
Which type of sentence is characterized by a command or request?
Which type of sentence is characterized by a command or request?
Tag questions typically end with a statement followed by a question phrase that confirms or clarifies.
Tag questions typically end with a statement followed by a question phrase that confirms or clarifies.
True
What is the primary function of an interrogative sentence?
What is the primary function of an interrogative sentence?
To ask a question
In sentence inversion, the subject and auxiliary verb are often ______.
In sentence inversion, the subject and auxiliary verb are often ______.
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Match the sentence type with its description:
Match the sentence type with its description:
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Which of the following correctly represents a possible form of sentence inversion?
Which of the following correctly represents a possible form of sentence inversion?
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Imperative sentences can only be in the present tense.
Imperative sentences can only be in the present tense.
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What is the purpose of echo questions?
What is the purpose of echo questions?
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Which of the following is an example of an imperative sentence?
Which of the following is an example of an imperative sentence?
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Interrogative sentences are used to make statements.
Interrogative sentences are used to make statements.
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What is a tag question?
What is a tag question?
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The sentence 'She loves pizza, ___ she?' is an example of a ______ question.
The sentence 'She loves pizza, ___ she?' is an example of a ______ question.
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Which sentence demonstrates inversion?
Which sentence demonstrates inversion?
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Echo questions repeat part of a previous question to seek clarification.
Echo questions repeat part of a previous question to seek clarification.
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What are interrogative sentences primarily used for?
What are interrogative sentences primarily used for?
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Match the sentence types to their appropriate functions:
Match the sentence types to their appropriate functions:
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Which of the following is an example of a prescriptive grammar rule?
Which of the following is an example of a prescriptive grammar rule?
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Prescriptivists believe that language changes are typically beneficial.
Prescriptivists believe that language changes are typically beneficial.
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What is a common prescriptive rule regarding sentence structure?
What is a common prescriptive rule regarding sentence structure?
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According to prescriptive rules, one should not use 'hopefully' as a ______ adverb.
According to prescriptive rules, one should not use 'hopefully' as a ______ adverb.
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Match the following sentence structures with their definitions:
Match the following sentence structures with their definitions:
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What is an example of how not to use a plural pronoun?
What is an example of how not to use a plural pronoun?
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Using 'novel' to mean 'new' has historically been accepted in prescriptive grammar.
Using 'novel' to mean 'new' has historically been accepted in prescriptive grammar.
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What is a reason prescriptivists are concerned about language change?
What is a reason prescriptivists are concerned about language change?
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Study Notes
Sentence structure
- A sentence can be broken down into a noun phrase (NP) and a verb phrase (VP) using the following rules:
- NP -> DET N Number
- VP -> Verb NP Number Tense
- NP Number can be either singular or plural
- Tense can be either present or past
- The rules can be represented by a tree diagram - the derived structure is an underlying structure, and elements of the sentence have an abstract meaning.
Generative Grammar
- Generative grammar can incorporate information about grammatical rules, for example, a transitive verb like "hit" requires an NP, and it can also account for the functional relations of a sentence, e.g., subject, object, and main verb.
- Transformational Rules can convert a specific sentence type into another type, such as an active sentence into a passive sentence, or explain morphological operations such as number agreement between the subject and verb.
Prescriptive Grammar
- Prescriptive grammar sets rules about how language should be used.
- Examples of prescriptive grammar include:
- Not splitting infinitives (e.g., "to reluctantly leave")
- Not ending a sentence with a preposition (e.g., "Who did she go with?")
- Not using a plural pronoun with a singular antecedent (e.g., "If anyone comes in late, they should go quietly to the rear")
- Not using double modals (e.g., "I might could help you")
- Prescriptive grammarians believe that they preserve the values and virtue of language from ignorant and lazy corruption. They are often concerned about language change.
- There is no evidence that language change equates to linguistic decline - changes are often driven by adaptations, style, fashion, and fad.
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Description
This quiz covers the foundational concepts of sentence structure, including noun phrases and verb phrases. It explores the principles of generative grammar, transformational rules, and the differences between descriptive and prescriptive grammar. Test your understanding of these critical linguistic concepts!
