Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the relationship called when one clause is a constituent part of another clause?
What is the relationship called when one clause is a constituent part of another clause?
A complex sentence contains only one verb phrase.
A complex sentence contains only one verb phrase.
False
What is the main clause also known as?
What is the main clause also known as?
superordinate clause
A sentence can have an unbounded number of _______.
A sentence can have an unbounded number of _______.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes the nature of syntax discussed?
Which of the following best describes the nature of syntax discussed?
Signup and view all the answers
Subordinate clauses can only be complete sentences.
Subordinate clauses can only be complete sentences.
Signup and view all the answers
What term describes the phenomenon of incorporating clauses within other clauses?
What term describes the phenomenon of incorporating clauses within other clauses?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the head of a phrase determine?
What does the head of a phrase determine?
Signup and view all the answers
A phrase can have a different category from its head.
A phrase can have a different category from its head.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term used for the property of sharing category between the head, the X', and the phrase?
What is the term used for the property of sharing category between the head, the X', and the phrase?
Signup and view all the answers
The highest level projected from the head is called the __________ projection.
The highest level projected from the head is called the __________ projection.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the components of phrase structure with their definitions:
Match the components of phrase structure with their definitions:
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following represents the highest level of projection?
Which of the following represents the highest level of projection?
Signup and view all the answers
The 'bar' notation indicates different levels of projection.
The 'bar' notation indicates different levels of projection.
Signup and view all the answers
Above the head in a phrase, there is the __________, which is the first projection of the head.
Above the head in a phrase, there is the __________, which is the first projection of the head.
Signup and view all the answers
What does the X-bar perspective suggest about phrases headed by different categories?
What does the X-bar perspective suggest about phrases headed by different categories?
Signup and view all the answers
A preposition phrase (PP) can function adverbially and is categorically the same as an adverb phrase (AP).
A preposition phrase (PP) can function adverbially and is categorically the same as an adverb phrase (AP).
Signup and view all the answers
What is the traditional distinction made between endocentric and exocentric phrases?
What is the traditional distinction made between endocentric and exocentric phrases?
Signup and view all the answers
A phrase that behaves as an adverbial phrase but is headed by a preposition is an example of an ______ phrase.
A phrase that behaves as an adverbial phrase but is headed by a preposition is an example of an ______ phrase.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following phrase types with their definitions:
Match the following phrase types with their definitions:
Signup and view all the answers
What is the most common type of pre-Head string in an Adjective Phrase (AP)?
What is the most common type of pre-Head string in an Adjective Phrase (AP)?
Signup and view all the answers
Adverb phrases (AdvP) usually have a post-Head string.
Adverb phrases (AdvP) usually have a post-Head string.
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of an adjective Head that must be followed by a post-Head string?
What is an example of an adjective Head that must be followed by a post-Head string?
Signup and view all the answers
A small number of adjective Heads must be followed by a __________.
A small number of adjective Heads must be followed by a __________.
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is an example of a postmodifier in an adjective phrase?
Which of the following is an example of a postmodifier in an adjective phrase?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the general structure of an adjective phrase?
What is the general structure of an adjective phrase?
Signup and view all the answers
Adverb phrases can have pre-Head strings that are adverbs.
Adverb phrases can have pre-Head strings that are adverbs.
Signup and view all the answers
What does Hurford identify as the direct object in a sentence?
What does Hurford identify as the direct object in a sentence?
Signup and view all the answers
Chomsky's theory of Universal Grammar suggests that language properties are learned solely through environmental interaction.
Chomsky's theory of Universal Grammar suggests that language properties are learned solely through environmental interaction.
Signup and view all the answers
Who proposed the concept of Universal Grammar?
Who proposed the concept of Universal Grammar?
Signup and view all the answers
Universal Grammar is defined as a set of linguistic principles and __________ that serve as an innate basis for the structure of any natural language.
Universal Grammar is defined as a set of linguistic principles and __________ that serve as an innate basis for the structure of any natural language.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following elements with their definitions:
Match the following elements with their definitions:
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement best describes Hurford's view on subjects with non-action verbs?
Which statement best describes Hurford's view on subjects with non-action verbs?
Signup and view all the answers
Young children learn languages due to their exposure to diverse linguistic environments only.
Young children learn languages due to their exposure to diverse linguistic environments only.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary motivation for Universal Grammar theory?
What is the primary motivation for Universal Grammar theory?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following sentences contains a theme subject?
Which of the following sentences contains a theme subject?
Signup and view all the answers
Subjects in sentences are typically restricted differently by various heads in terms of their category.
Subjects in sentences are typically restricted differently by various heads in terms of their category.
Signup and view all the answers
What must the argument semantically be compatible with in relation to its role?
What must the argument semantically be compatible with in relation to its role?
Signup and view all the answers
For the sentence 'The complete works of Shakespeare arrived,' the most natural interpretation of its subject is a _____ or set of manuscripts.
For the sentence 'The complete works of Shakespeare arrived,' the most natural interpretation of its subject is a _____ or set of manuscripts.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the verbs with their respective characteristics regarding complements:
Match the verbs with their respective characteristics regarding complements:
Signup and view all the answers
What kind of restrictions are placed on specifier arguments?
What kind of restrictions are placed on specifier arguments?
Signup and view all the answers
Only DP complements can be expressed in the same way, regardless of the verb used.
Only DP complements can be expressed in the same way, regardless of the verb used.
Signup and view all the answers
In the example 'Arthur asked what the time was,' what is the nature of the complement being used?
In the example 'Arthur asked what the time was,' what is the nature of the complement being used?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Introduction to Syntax
- Syntax traditionally starts with the sentence, considering smaller components as building blocks for structure.
- Constituents are the segmented parts of a sentence. Immediate constituents (ICs) form a higher-order constituent, like "a walk" comprised of "a" and "walk."
- A whole sentence isn't considered a constituent of anything else, being the largest unit for syntactic description.
Linguistic Units (Constituents)
- Phrases, words, and morphemes can be independent linguistic objects.
- Phrases have internal structuring, similar to how constituents do.
- Single words ("John") or several words ("a walk") can form phrases.
Rankscale and Rankshift
- A hierarchy exists in linguistic description: morphemes form words, words form phrases, and phrases form sentences.
- This hierarchy is called the rankscale.
- Rankshift is a phenomenon where a unit of one rank can function as a constituent of a unit of the same or lower rank.
Functions and Categories
- Linguistic units can be analyzed based on their function within a larger structure or by their characteristics and internal structure.
- Function describes the role of a unit within a sentence, such as subject or object.
- Category describes the type of unit, such as noun, verb, or preposition. There's not a one-to-one correspondence between function and category.
Direct Object (DO)
- A direct object is a complement immediately following a verb that can become the subject in a passive sentence (e.g., "She read the grammar book").
Indirect Object (IO)
- If a verb has two complements that can become subjects in a passive sentence, the first is the indirect object (IO), and the second is the direct object.
Benefactive Subject (BO)
- A benefactive subject shares the same position as an indirect object, but typically uses the preposition 'for'.
Subject Complement (SC)
- A subject complement describes something about the subject of a sentence (e.g., "She is a happy girl").
Object Complement (OC)
- An object complement describes something about the direct object of a sentence (e.g., "She called me a psycho").
Predicator Complement (PC)
- A predicator complement complements the verb but isn't a subject or object complement.
Phrase Structure Analysis
- A phrase has a head and can be expanded with a string of components before or after the head.
- The head of a phrase is the component which determines the general category of the phrase.
- Constituents in different categories must follow specific rules for their structures.
The Noun Phrase (NP)
- A noun phrase (NP) has a noun as its head.
- Determiners and adjective phrases typically form the preceding part (pre-Head string).
- The Head is the most important element, and can be a pronoun or a proper noun.
The Adjective Phrase (AP)
- The head of an adjective phrase is the adjective.
- Preceding elements, like adverb phrases, are common.
The Adverb Phrase (AdvP)
- The head of an adverb phrase is the adverb.
- Another adverb phrase can be a preceding element.
The Verb Phrase (VP)
- A verb phrase consists of verbal forms, occasionally including multi-word verbs.
- The maximum number of verbal forms is five.
- A verb phrase is headed by the main verb, with auxiliary verbs appearing at the start of the phrase.
The Prepositional Phrase (PP)
- The PP consists of a preposition and a prepositional complement (post-head string).
- It's common for a PP to be part of a larger phrase (especially an NP).
Phrases within Phrases
- Larger phrases can include smaller phrases within their structure. For example, an NP within a PP.
- Subordination and coordination are different ways of joining phrases or clauses.
The Unboundedness of Syntax
- Languages have no inherent limit to the length of sentences and can be expanded.
- Recursion is a critical component in language's creativity. It involves the ability of phrases or entire clauses to be included within other phrases.
Knowledge of Constituents, Knowledge of Functions
- Understanding the hierarchical structure of phrases (e.g., parts or components) and how these function within a larger structure (e.g. subject or object) is a fundamental aspect of syntax.
- Evidence for constituent grouping comes from replacement tests (one component for a group), movement tests (changes in order/location) and grouping ambiguity test (multiple correct groupings).
Transformational Generative Grammar
- A generative grammar model that analyzes sentences by breaking them down into three levels (phrase structure rules, transformational rules, morphophonemic rules).
- The fundamental approach to analyze sentences, determine structures and word positions, and understand their interactions.
- It often examines the grammatical relations and their correlation with semantic roles.
University Grammar
- The core concept in linguistic theory, which suggests a shared, underlying structure for languages.
- It proposes that all human languages share common principles and traits that are innate to humans.
- It suggests a set of principles and restraints hypothesized for the structure of any natural language.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge on syntax, clause relationships, and sentence structures with this quiz. You'll explore complex sentences, main clauses, and the intricacies of phrase projection. This quiz is suitable for advanced linguistics students or anyone interested in syntax.
