Syntactic Functions of Phrases in English Grammar
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Questions and Answers

Which syntactic function does the adverb phrase NOT serve?

  • Subject complement
  • Direct object
  • Modifier in NP
  • Conjunction (correct)

In the context of adverb phrases, what is the primary syntactic role at clause level?

  • Modifier in AdjP
  • Submodifier in AdvP
  • Adverbial (correct)
  • Subject

What is the primary characteristic of finite verb phrases?

  • They can occur with modal auxiliaries. (correct)
  • They cannot be split into two parts.
  • They do not mark distinctions of tense.
  • They always include an adverb.

Which of the following examples demonstrates a post-modifier in an adjective phrase?

<p>Very beautiful indeed (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which situation causes a verb phrase to be discontinuous?

<p>Adverbs interrupt the verb phrase. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What types of phrases can adverb phrases modify?

<p>Adjectives, adverbs, and nouns (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which type of verb phrase is 'show' used with 'could'?

<p>Present tense. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following options is an example of a submodifier in an adverb phrase?

<p>(Not) all that easily (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following verb phrase combinations is commonly accepted?

<p>could be shown. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does 'I don’t know when' play in the sentence structure?

<p>Direct object (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the structure when four or more verbs are present in a phrase?

<p>It is quite uncommon. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase serves both as a modifier in an adjective phrase and as an adverbial at the clause level?

<p>Much too short (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which auxiliary verb type follows the modal verb?

<p>Primary auxiliaries. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the example 'They had a surprise party yesterday', what syntactic function does 'yesterday' serve?

<p>Adverbial (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the syntactic function of verb phrases in clauses?

<p>They only have one function in the clause. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the combination of primary and modal auxiliaries allow?

<p>Combining verbs in complex forms. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of a verb phrase?

<p>Main verb (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following phrases can function as verbal only within clauses?

<p>Verb phrase (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which two types of auxiliary verbs are distinguished in this chapter?

<p>Primary and modal auxiliaries (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do adjective phrases function within clauses?

<p>As modifiers and complements (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of prepositional phrases?

<p>They can be embedded recursively in other phrases. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the main verb in a verb phrase select?

<p>The other elements that may occur in the clause (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase is governed by a head-word that is an adverb?

<p>Adverb phrase (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a simple verb phrase?

<p>It consists of a main verb only. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of object is 'next to a railway line' in the sentence 'I don’t consider next to a railway line a good place to live'?

<p>Prepositional object (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the phrase 'happy with his reaction', what role does 'with his reaction' play?

<p>Complement in AdjP (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of ambiguity can occur with prepositional phrases based on the sentence 'I saw the man in the bus'?

<p>It can refer to the man being in the bus or the speaker being in the bus (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the example 'A car accident [on the motorway [to Yorkshire]]', what does the structure illustrate?

<p>The recursive embedding of phrases (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly identifies a function of the prepositional phrase in 'in the degree of bitterness of taste'?

<p>It functions as a prepositional phrase (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the sentence 'At midnight she secretly eloped with her lover to his lodgings', what does 'at midnight' represent?

<p>An adverbial phrase (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which interpretation of 'there were variations in the degree of bitterness of taste' describes its structure?

<p>It shows layering of noun and prepositional phrases (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of prepositional phrases that realize adverbials in the same clause?

<p>They often show simultaneous and independent occurrence (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main components of a prepositional phrase?

<p>Preposition and complement/object (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used for the noun phrase that follows a preposition?

<p>Prepositional complement (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which situation is a preposition required to be stranded?

<p>When the prepositional complement is the subject of the clause (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples demonstrates correct prepositional stranding?

<p>Who are you talking to? (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines the head of a prepositional phrase?

<p>It cannot occur by itself without a complement. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which structure can a preposition not be moved away from its verb?

<p>In passive structures (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences uses correct prepositional phrasing?

<p>She was operated on last night. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What typically follows a preposition in a prepositional phrase?

<p>A noun phrase (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the phrase 'homemade bread' in the sentence 'Fragrant homemade bread is becoming common in many American homes.'?

<p>pre-modifier in noun phrase (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which sentence does the adverb phrase 'very gradually' function as a modifier of the verb?

<p>There is always the danger of the waste leaking very gradually from the containers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences contains a prepositional phrase?

<p>Massage is mentioned in ancient Hindu Chinese writings. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of adding post-modifiers to adjectives, as described in the content?

<p>To clarify the meaning of the adjective (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the sentence 'The former champion is now very ill', what is the function of 'very ill'?

<p>subject complement (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase describes the action 'disposed of safely' in relation to nuclear waste?

<p>Adverbial phrase (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do the phrases 'conical, triangular, or spiral loaves' illustrate in the context of the sentence?

<p>Types of bread loaves (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the function of the phrase 'in the muscles' in the sentence 'It is a natural therapy for aches and pains in the muscles.'

<p>post-modifier in noun phrase (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Verb Phrase (VP)

A group of words that includes a main verb, possibly with auxiliary verbs. It forms the core of a sentence, expressing the action or state of being.

Main Verb

The main verb within a verb phrase. It carries the primary meaning of the action.

Auxiliary Verbs

Verbs that precede the main verb, helping to express tense, mood, or voice. Examples include 'have', 'be', 'will'

Modal Auxiliary

A type of auxiliary verb that expresses possibility, ability, or obligation (e.g., 'can', 'could', 'may', 'must')

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Primary Auxiliary

A type of auxiliary verb that helps form tenses like perfect (e.g., have + past participle) and progressive (e.g., be + -ing form).

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Valency

The ability of a verb to determine the number and types of other elements it can take (e.g., subject, object, complement).

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Simple Verb Phrase

A verb phrase that consists only of the main verb.

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Syntactic Functions of VP

Different roles a verb phrase can play within a sentence, such as expressing the main action (predicate) or modifying a noun (adjective phrase).

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What is a verb phrase?

A verb phrase (VP) is a group of words headed by a main verb. It can include auxiliary verbs that work together to convey tense, aspect, mood, and voice.

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Finite Verb Phrases

Finite verb phrases express tense, specifically present and past tense. They can be accompanied by modal auxiliaries for added meaning.

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Non-Finite Verb Phrases

Non-finite verb phrases don't express tense. They can't be used with modal auxiliaries.

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Discontinuous Verb Phrase

A discontinuous verb phrase is split into two parts. This occurs when questions involve placing the subject after the auxiliary verb or when adverbs interrupt the VP.

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Order of Auxiliaries

Primary auxiliaries contribute to forming tenses like perfect (has/have + past participle), progressive (be + -ing), and passive (be + past participle). Modals are followed by primary auxiliaries.

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Function of Verb Phrases

Verb phrases have a single function within the clause: expressing the action or state of being.

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Forms of Verb Phrases

Verb phrases can take various forms, combining simple verbs, auxiliaries, and even other phrases to create complex structures.

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Common Verb Phrase Forms

Common verb phrase forms include simple, perfect, progressive, passive, and combinations of these like perfect progressive, perfect passive, and progressive passive.

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Postposition of Adjectives

An adjective modifying indefinite or demonstrative pronouns (e.g., "something nice", "everyone alive") is typically placed AFTER the pronoun.

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Adverbial Phrase Functions

Adverbial phrases function as modifiers within phrases or as adverbials within clauses, adding detail and context to the sentence.

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Modifying Adjectives, Adverbs, and Nouns

Examples of adverbial phrases modifying other phrases include: modifying adjectives ('very pleasant party'), adverbs ('almost surprisingly'), and nouns ('the journey back').

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Modifying Determiners

Adverbial phrases can also modify determiners, like 'about double' or 'nearly all,' giving additional information about quantity.

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Modifying Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases can be modified by adverbial phrases, like 'right out of sight.' This adds more detail to the location or time.

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Submodifiers in Adjective and Adverb Phrases

Adverbial phrases can act as submodifiers to adjectives like 'much too short' or adverbs like 'far too often,' enhancing the intensity.

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Post-Modifying Adjectives, Adverbs, and Nouns

Adverbial phrases can function as post-modifiers to adjectives, adverbs, and nouns, adding additional information to the main word, like "quick enough" or "nicely indeed."

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Complements in Prepositional Phrases

Adverbial phrases can act as complements within prepositional phrases (e.g., 'over here', 'through there'), providing details about the direction or location.

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Prepositional phrase (PpP)

A phrase starting with a preposition, often describing a location, time, or relationship.

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Postmodifier in NP

A word or group of words that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, providing more information.

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Complement

A word or group of words that complements or completes the meaning of a noun, adjective, or adverb.

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Complement in AdjP

A phrase that modifies an adjective, providing additional information.

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Complement in AdvP

A phrase that modifies an adverb, providing additional information.

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Premodifier in NP

A word or group of words that precedes a noun, modifying it.

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Adverbial

A phrase that modifies a verb, adverb, or adjective, indicating a circumstance or condition.

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Embedding in phrases

When one phrase is nested inside another, adding layers of meaning.

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Post-Modifier in Adjective Phrase

A group of words that modifies an adjective, further describing its quality or state.

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Adjective Phrase

A group of words that modifies a noun, providing more information or attributes.

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Subject Complement (sC)

An adjective phrase that acts as the subject complement, describing the subject of the sentence.

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Object Complement (oC)

An adjective phrase that functions as the object complement, describing the object of the sentence.

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Adverb Phrase

A group of words that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, expressing time, place, manner, or degree.

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Adverbial (A)

An adverb phrase that acts as an adverbial, modifying the verb of the sentence.

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Modifier of Adjective (m adj)

An adverb phrase that modifies an adjective, further specifying its degree or intensity.

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Modifier of Adverb (m adv)

An adverb phrase that modifies another adverb, providing further detail about its meaning.

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Prepositional Phrase

A phrase composed of a preposition followed by a noun phrase, known as the prepositional complement or object of the preposition.

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Prepositional Complement

The noun phrase which follows a preposition and completes its meaning. Often referred to as the object of the preposition.

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Preposition Stranding

The act of shifting a preposition from its usual position before the noun phrase to the end of the sentence.

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Stranded Prepositions

Prepositions are usually placed before their complements, but in some cases, they are placed at the end of the sentence.

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Preposition Fronting

The prepositional complement is moved to the beginning of a question or relative clause, leaving the preposition at the end.

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Prepositions and Passive Voice

In passive constructions, prepositions are attached to the verb, not to the noun phrase.

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Prepositions in Infinitive Structures

Prepositions can be used in infinitive structures with the complement acting as the object of the preposition.

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Object of the Preposition

The prepositional complement is the noun phrase that completes the preposition's meaning.

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Study Notes

Verb Phrase, Adjective Phrase, Adverb Phrase and Prepositional Phrase

  • This chapter defines and analyzes the structure of verb, adjective, adverb, and prepositional phrases.
  • The verb phrase centers around a main verb, which may be preceded by auxiliary verbs.
  • Adjective, adverb, and prepositional phrases are headed by an adjective, adverb, and preposition, respectively.
  • Except for the verb phrase, which functions only within clauses, the other phrase types can serve various grammatical roles (premodifier, postmodifier, complement, etc.) at both phrase and clause levels.

Goals

  • To subdivide phrases into functional parts.
  • To differentiate between primary and modal auxiliaries.
  • To outline the syntactic roles of the phrases within phrases and clauses.

Chapter Contents (summary)

  • The elements of a Verb Phrase (definition, structure and syntactic functions)
  • The makeup of an Adjective Phrase (definition, structure and syntactic functions)
  • The structure of an Adverb Phrase (definition, structure and syntactic functions)
  • The components and roles of a Prepositional Phrase (definition, structure and syntactic functions)

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Related Documents

Lecture 7: Verb Phrases, Adjective, Adverb, and Prepositional Phrases PDF

Description

This quiz explores the syntactic functions of various phrases in English grammar, focusing particularly on adverb phrases and their roles within clause structures. Participants will examine specific examples and characteristics of finite verb phrases, modifiers, and auxiliary verbs to deepen their understanding of syntax.

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