Syntax: Canonical and Non-Canonical Clauses

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Questions and Answers

What is the largest syntactic unit according to the overview provided?

The largest syntactic unit is the sentence.

How does a clause differ from a sentence based on the examples provided?

A clause is part of a sentence and consists of a subject and a predicate.

In the example 'I think Jill seems quite friendly,' how is the clause 'Jill seems quite friendly' categorized?

'Jill seems quite friendly' is an embedded clause within a larger sentence.

What distinguishes coordinated clauses from embedded clauses in the text?

Coordinated clauses are separate clauses linked together, while embedded clauses are contained within a larger clause. Signup and view all the answers

According to the overview, what topics does the book not cover in relation to syntax?

The book does not cover morphology or punctuation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between canonical and non-canonical clauses?

Canonical clauses adhere to a standard structure, while non-canonical clauses deviate from this structure and require a more complex analysis. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the role of a verb in a clause.

The verb acts as the ultimate head of a clause and is realized by the predicate, determining the required elements. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the function of the GAP device in non-canonical structures.

The GAP device indicates an abstract element in a clause, linking separated parts of a sentence to maintain coherence. Signup and view all the answers

What are the six inflectional forms of the verb 'take'?

The six forms are: preterite (took), 3rd sg present tense (takes), plain present tense (take), plain form (to take), gerund-participle (taking), and past participle (taken). Signup and view all the answers

How do auxiliary verbs differ from main verbs in terms of tense?

Auxiliary verbs can have variations in tense and negative forms, while main verbs primarily showcase their inflectional forms. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main constructions that use the plain form of a verb?

The three main constructions are imperative, subjunctive, and infinitive. Signup and view all the answers

How does a finite clause differ from a non-finite clause?

A finite clause has a primary verb form while a non-finite clause contains a gerund-participle, past participle, or infinitive form. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the role of auxiliary verbs in negation and interrogative sentences.

Auxiliary verbs can be negated by 'not' and can invert with the subject to form interrogative sentences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between primary and secondary tense systems in English?

The primary tense system is marked by verb inflection, while the secondary tense system is marked by the presence or absence of 'have'. Signup and view all the answers

Define the perfective and imperfective aspects in relation to verb usage.

The perfective aspect presents a whole situation/event, while the imperfective aspect focuses on a subinterval of a situation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between mood and modality in grammatical terms?

Mood refers to grammatical form, while modality deals with the meaning expressed by that form. Signup and view all the answers

What are complements and modifiers in the context of clauses?

Complements are closely related to the verb and often required, while modifiers are less closely related and optional. Signup and view all the answers

What role do syntactic processes play in understanding non-canonical structures?

Syntactic processes serve as descriptive devices for analyzing non-canonical structures, rather than reflecting the mental processes of speakers. Signup and view all the answers

How can negative clauses contrast with their potential positive counterparts?

Negative clauses, like 'I can't stay any longer,' may exhibit features opposite to those in positive clauses, such as 'I can stay any longer.' Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes canonical clauses from non-canonical clauses?

Canonical clauses are typically structured with clear positive and declarative features, whereas non-canonical clauses may include negative, interrogative, or complex structures. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the document expand upon the existing syntactic analysis model?

The document broadens the model to include non-canonical constructions, enhancing the understanding of complex clause structures. Signup and view all the answers

Can all non-canonical clauses find grammatically equivalent counterparts?

No, not all non-canonical clauses have grammatically equivalent counterparts, meaning some may not have direct correlatives in canonical forms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between a sentence and a clause?

A clause is a more basic unit than a sentence; a sentence can comprise one or more clauses. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why 'sentence' is a preferred category in constituent structure analysis despite 'clause' being a more basic unit.

'Sentence' is preferred due to issues with treating coordination and the distinction between technical and ordinary usage of the term. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of a canonical clause.

An example of a canonical clause is 'Kim referred to the report.' Signup and view all the answers

How does polarity differ between canonical and non-canonical clauses?

In canonical clauses, the polarity is positive, while in non-canonical clauses, it is often negative. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference in clause type between a canonical and a non-canonical clause?

Canonical clauses are typically declarative, while non-canonical clauses can be interrogative. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the voice distinction between canonical and non-canonical clauses.

Canonical clauses are in active voice, whereas non-canonical clauses often utilize passive voice. Signup and view all the answers

What role does subordination play in forming non-canonical clauses?

Subordination in non-canonical clauses often marks them as subordinate clauses, distinguishing them from main clauses. Signup and view all the answers

What additional structures might indicate non-canonical clauses?

Additional structures include preposing, existential constructions, and it-clefts. Signup and view all the answers

How can the understanding of canonical versus non-canonical clauses enhance linguistic analysis?

The understanding allows for clearer distinctions in clause types, aiding in formal grammar analysis. Signup and view all the answers

Mention one potential conflict arising from the technical versus ordinary usage of the term 'sentence'.

One conflict is that the ordinary understanding may not align with the technical grammatical implications, causing confusion. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Canonical and Non-Canonical Clauses

Canonical clauses have a basic structure (e.g., Subject-Verb-Object), while non-canonical clauses deviate from this structure through various syntactic processes.

Sentence vs. Clause

A clause is a smaller unit than a sentence; a sentence may be comprised of a clause.
When analyzing syntax, a clause is the most basic unit, not a sentence.
This choice is made to avoid confusion with ordinary usage and simplify coordination analysis.

Canonical vs. Non-Canonical Clause Examples

Canonical Examples

Kim referred to the report.
She was still working.
Pat solved the problem.
Liz was ill.
He has forgotten the appointment.

Non-Canonical Examples

Kim did not refer to the report.
Was she still working?
The problem was solved by Pat.
He said that Liz was ill.
Either he has overslept or he has forgotten the appointment.

Dimensions of Contrast

Five primary dimensions contrast canonical and non-canonical clauses: polarity (positive/negative), clause type (declarative/interrogative), voice (active/passive), subordination (main/subordinate), and other characteristics (e.g., preposing, existential constructions).

Syntactic Processes

These processes (e.g., subject-auxiliary inversion, passivisation, relativisation) are used to analyze non-canonical structures.
They are descriptive tools, not literal reflections of speakers' mental processes.

Counterparts

Canonical clauses can be compared to non-canonical clauses based on shared or contrasting features.
Not all non-canonical clauses have direct counterparts.

Example Clauses and Their Structure

The document uses diagrams to illustrate canonical and non-canonical clause structures.
These diagrams show the hierarchical relationships between parts of speech and their roles in phrase and clause structure.

The Clause: Complements

Subject and Object

The subject is a complement located outside the verb phrase (VP) and is obligatory in all clauses.
The object, located inside the VP, is permitted by some verbs but not others.
Verbs can include two objects: indirect and direct.

Predicative Complements

A predicative complement (PC) differs from an object syntactically and is often used to describe a property of the subject or object.

Complements with the Form of PPs

Complements can be prepositional phrases (PPs) headed by a specific preposition.

Nouns and Noun Phrases (NPs)

NPs are phrases headed by a noun and can function as subjects, objects, or predicative complements.
They can include common nouns, proper nouns, and pronouns.

Determiners and Determinatives

Determiners are dependents in NPs indicating definiteness or indefiniteness.
Determinatives are a lexical category that realize determiners.

Nouns and Noun Phrases

Modifiers, Complements, and the Category of Nominal

Modifiers and complements are additional dependents in NPs.
The nominal, which includes the noun and its modifiers, is an intermediate category between NP and noun.

Fused Heads

In some NPs, a head and dependent can be fused together.

Case

Pronouns have four distinct case forms; most nouns have a distinction between genitive and non-genitive cases.

Number and Countability

Countability and number (singular/plural) apply to both nouns and NPs.

Indirect Complements

Complements can be licensed by the head of a nominal and can also be "indirect," licensed by a dependent of the head.

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Description

Explore the differences between canonical and non-canonical clauses in this syntax quiz. You'll find examples that highlight the basic structures of clauses and their variations. Test your understanding of how clauses function within sentences!